Aston Martin V12 Vantage S

Aston Martin V12 Vantage S

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage S, introduced in 2013, represented the most extreme expression of Aston Martin's philosophy of cramming the largest possible engine into the smallest possible body. The result was a car that combined extraordinary straight-line performance with the visceral driving experience that only a naturally aspirated V12 can provide, wrapped in one of the most beautiful sports car designs of the modern era.

The concept behind the V12 Vantage was simple and inspired: take the compact Vantage platform, originally designed around the 4.7-litre V8, and install Aston Martin's magnificent 5.9-litre AM28 V12 engine. The S variant pushed this formula to its logical extreme. Power was increased to 565 bhp at 6,750 rpm, with torque of 457 lb-ft at 5,750 rpm — substantial gains over the standard V12 Vantage's 510 bhp. The engine was essentially the same unit found in the DBS and Vanquish, now tuned for maximum response in the lighter Vantage body.

The S designation brought more than just increased power. The transmission was upgraded from the standard car's 6-speed manual to a new 7-speed Sportshift III single-clutch automated manual gearbox. While some enthusiasts mourned the loss of the manual option, the new gearbox provided faster shift times and was better suited to the car's enormous performance. Crucially, the suspension was completely revised with new spring rates, damper settings, and anti-roll bar calibration, lowering the ride height and significantly increasing cornering grip.

Performance figures were extraordinary. The V12 Vantage S could reach 205 mph, making it the fastest series-production Aston Martin at the time of its launch, surpassing even the Vanquish. The 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds was supercar territory, achieved with a soundtrack that remains one of the most glorious in modern motoring — the AM28 V12's naturally aspirated wail is an experience that turbocharged engines simply cannot replicate.

The chassis was strengthened to handle the V12's prodigious output. Carbon ceramic brakes were standard, with massive 398mm front and 360mm rear discs clamped by six-piston and four-piston calipers respectively. These provided phenomenal stopping power with excellent resistance to fade. The suspension geometry was optimized for track use, with stiffer bushings and revised camber settings, yet Aston Martin's engineers ensured the ride remained compliant enough for grand touring duties.

Aesthetically, the V12 Vantage S was distinguished from lesser Vantages by its larger front grille, carbon fibre aerodynamic elements, and unique alloy wheels. The interior featured Alcantara-trimmed sport seats, carbon fibre trim, and the same meticulous hand-craftsmanship that defines every Aston Martin. Each car required hundreds of hours of hand assembly at the Gaydon factory.

With only 499 examples produced and the automotive world rapidly moving toward turbocharged and electrified powertrains, the V12 Vantage S stands as one of the last great naturally aspirated V12 sports cars. It captures a moment in automotive history that is unlikely to be repeated — when a small British manufacturer could create a car of extraordinary character and performance using nothing more than cubic capacity, engineering brilliance, and an uncompromising vision of what a sports car should be.