During its illustrious history spanning over a century, Aston Martin has forged some of the most awe-inspiring sports cars and Grand Tourers. Amidst this copious smorgasbord, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S reigns supreme on a throne of its own. Powered by a 6.0-liter naturally aspirated motor capable of producing 565 horses, the V12 Vantage S emits a booming diapason that is music to enthusiastic ears. Entangled in a speed and horsepower war, high-performance automakers don’t make cars as somatic as the V12 Vantage S anymore. The Vantage nameplate is an epoch-making part of Aston Martin’s legacy. Among its various generations, variants, and special editions, the V12 Vantage S is a singular offering. It was produced for the 2014 to 2017 model years in both coupe and convertible body styles, with manual and automatic iterations. When brand new, the V12 Vantage S wielded a base price tag of $186,195. Exotic Car Trader has tailored this Aston Martin V12 Vantage S review with meticulous attention to detail, conflating details on every single aspect of the legendary supercar.
The Vantage nameplate has decorated Aston Martin cars for more than 74 years now. Back in 1950, the Vantage moniker was first introduced as the flagship trim of the Aston Martin DB2. It was only in the early 1970s that it graduated to be an independent model. Later on, the third-generation Vantage model was replaced by the Aston Martin Virage which was again superseded by the Vanquish in 2001. The Vantage nameplate made a comeback in 2005, this time as an entry-level rear-wheel-drive sports car. The 2006-2017 Aston Martin Vantage was produced exclusively at Aston Martin’s headquarters and main production facility in Gaydon, Warwickshire, England. This first-generation Vantage was also the first one to be fitted with a V12 engine. The V12 Vantage entered the U.S. market for the 2011 model year, powered by a 501-hp 6.0-liter V12 motor borrowed from the Aston Martin DBS of the time. The V12 Vantage was succeeded by the V12 Vantage S in 2015. Power went up from 501 to 565 and the V12 Vantage S is almost as aggressive as an Aston Martin gets. A couple of years later, in 2017, Aston Martin blessed the V12 Vantage S with a 7-speed dogleg manual transmission, further elevating the already visceral driving experience it delivered. It was also Aston Martin’s second-fastest road-going car of the time, just behind the legendary Aston Martin One-77.
The heart of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S is a thunderous front-mid-mounted 6.0-liter naturally aspirated V12 motor, producing 565 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed automated manual transmission is the standard option, while a 7-speed dogleg manual transmission was offered exclusively with the 2017 model. For those who unaware of what a dogleg stick is, it has the reverse gear where the first gear usually is. The first gear is right below the reverse, followed by the second up top to the right, and so on. The V12 Vantage S has an in independent double wishbone suspension setup both upfront and at the rear, complemented by a three-stage adaptive damping system. There are Normal, Sport, and Track modes and the car is capable of dashing to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. Curb weight is an impressive 3,670 lbs and the top speed is limited to 205 mph. The big-engine, small-body setup of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S is what makes it an extremely involving machine. The automatic transmission has been criticized by enthusiasts for being too harsh in the urban environment. However, the 7-speed dogleg, once you get used to its peculiar layout, is exceptionally engaging and fun to drive.
The cabin of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S is as sui generis as the car’s engineering side. The interior of this 2-seater supercar is masterfully sculpted with state-of-the-art materials and elements. As standard, the center console and dashboard are finished in piano black while a carbon fiber interior pack was optional. The electrically adjustable sports seats with memory settings comes swathed in full-grain leather or a combination of full-grain leather and Alcantara. Lightweight sports seats with six-way electrical adjustments were an optional extra. The steering wheel is finished in Alcantara as standard while sheathing it with leather was an option. Automatic climate control is a standard feature, but heating for the seats was optional. Overall, the V12 Vantage S sports an ethereal cabin flaunting exquisite materials and a versatile feature set.
The Aston Martin V12 Vantage S doesn’t look like a monstrous creature ready to dominate the racetrack. It is a bewitching beauty that is crafted with equal parts sportiness and elegance. The signature Aston Martin grille of the V12 Vantage S is finished in carbon fiber or titanium as standard. A carbon fiber front splitter and rear diffuser are also part of the standard specification. However, buyers were given the option to equip the car with contrasting body panels in black or silver, individually or as a combination of various parts. This also includes the contrasting bumper lipstick, a signature styling element of this generation of special edition Vantages. Aston Martin even offered an option to adorn the V12 Vantage S with a painted carbon fiber grille, an inimitable factory option. The side profile is dominated by 19-inch 10-spoke forged alloy Graphite painted wheels with a diamond-turned finish, encircled in Pirelli P Zero Corsa rubber. Available wheel options included 10-spoke lightweight forged alloys finished in Silver or Satin Black and 10-spoke forged alloys with a diamond-turned finish in Liquid Silver or Black. Among all the ravishing Aston Martins listed for sale on Exotic Car Trader, the V12 Vantage S is one of the most sublime creations.
Technology features are abundant inside the V12 Vantage S. A pop-up screen with satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity are standard features. So is a 160 W Aston Martin audio system with a six-CD autochanger and USB connectivity. For a more immersive listening experience, Aston Martin offered two optional high-end audio systems. The first one was a 700-watt Aston Martin Premium audio system while spending more silver equipped the car with a 1000-watt Bang & Olufsen BeoSound audio system. Cruise control and rear parking sensors were included as standard, but front parking sensors were optional. By today’s standards, the V12 Vantage S isn’t loaded with tech, but its V12 motor’s stentorian roar is still among the best of the best.
A brand-new Aston Martin V12 Vantage carried a base price tag of $186,195 for the coupe and $200,695 for the roadster. At present, the car’s value differs depending on various factors. According to Classic.com, the V12 Vantage S Coupe equipped with the Sportshift III automatic transmission has a current average market value of $90,987. Roadsters equipped with the automatic are slightly more expensive, valued at $125,292. You’ll have to spend bountifully to get your hands on the rarer, more exclusive manual 2017 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S. The manual-equipped coupe is valued at $219,476 whereas the roadster holds an average market value of $238,261. Only 351 units of the V12 Vantage S were ever produced, out of which 260 were coupes and 91 roadsters. However, only 100 of those 351 came to American shores, further elevating its collectibility. Finding a buyer for your rare collector’s car might seem a Herculean task. Take heart because Exotic Car Trader has got you covered. Simply contact us to seamlessly sell your exotic machine without any hassle.
The Aston Martin V12 Vantage S is a singular specimen, individualized by its huge-engine, small-body combination. The massive 6.0-liter V12 motor is capable of producing 565 horses and emanating a thunderous bellow. Driving dynamics is spectacular, and the car does 0-60 in just 3.7 seconds. The interior is brimming with exquisite materials and appointed with luxurious creature comforts. Technology isn’t a strongpoint of the V12 Vantage S, but every requisite feature has been incorporated into it. On top of its seraphic beauty, breathtaking performance, and sumptuous interior, the V12 Vantage S is also a collectible, with only 100 units sold in the U.S. market. Seeking and acquiring cars like the V12 Vantage S isn’t a strenuous endeavor anymore. Exotic Car Trader has streamlined and expedited the trade process to a peerless level of convenience. Head on to Exotic Car Trader now to explore a collection of listings including opulent flagships, supercars, sports cars, classics, and much more. Not many cars as euphoric as the Aston Martin V12 Vantage are created in the present era. Among the twin-turbochargers, hybrid powertrains, and electric motors, this burly, gut-wrenching naturally aspirated V-12 stands out as a dazzling performer. It is the epitome of elemental sports cars and one of the most legendary Aston Martins ever.
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