Update: Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Reviewed By Evo

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage S takes a great car and takes it a notch further. Its 6.0-liter V-12 engine produces 565 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque (376 pound-feet of which is available from just 1000 rpm). It has a top speed of 205 miles per hour, making it Aston Martin’s second-fastest road-going car ever (behind the ultra-rare One-77).

 

Now, Evo has gotten its hands on the car, and has provided some details of what the V12 Vantage S is like to drive.

 

According to the review, this more powerful engine revs more freely. The extra torque in the low end is readily available, and can be relied upon when choosing not to shift through the gears as much.

 

While the omission of a three-pedal option is lamented, as well as the slowness of the upshifts in the seven-speed Oerlikon Graziano gearbox, the downshifts are pleasantly quick. Still a manual option would be worth the added 55 pounds. Also, the V12 Vantage S is unforgiving on short shifts.

 

The variable assistance steering rack is quicker than the outgoing one at 15:1, it has a good weight to it, and it doesn’t feel invasive to use.

 

The front-engine, rear-drive layout feels natural, and encourages spirited driving, and features like the active damping and steering don’t get in the way of the “unfussy mechanical honesty” of the V12 Vantage S.

 

Click here to read more at Evo (the full review will be available in the newest issue of the magazine), or visit our own Master Landing Page for more information about the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S.