2017 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Introduced in 2005, Aston Martin’s V12 Vantage 2-seat luxury sports coupe evolved into the V12 Vantage S in 2014, with the convertible V12 Vantage S Roadster debuting for the 2016 model year. Boasting those premium fittings that have earned the British automaker its reputation, the 2017 V12 Vantage S is not only sumptuously appointed but continues its legacy as Aston Martin’s fastest production automobile. All that power and posh doesn’t come cheap, though, and the V12 Vantage has a price tag of $189,120 for the S coupe and $203,620 for the S Roadster. A new limited-production (100 units), track-certified, and even more powerful Vantage GT12 coupe will be offered as well.
Aston Martin, founded in 1913, solidified its legacy in 1964 when its overtly sensual DB5 starred as James Bond’s preferred ride in “Goldfinger.” Despite the big-screen success of the DB5, Aston Martin has had its financial ups and downs, including a fling with Ford from 1994 to 2007. The automaker is presently independent once again, though an agreement with Mercedes-Benz is expected to result in future Aston Martin vehicles sporting German-manufactured powertrains.
For 2017, the V12 Vantage comes loaded with premium features like cross-stitched leather upholstery and appointments, genuine wood accents, the liberal use of lightweight carbon fiber (including an exterior carbon-fiber grille), Kevlar-framed seats, and a glass key fob that Aston Martin calls an “Emotion Control Unit.” Insert this fob into its dashboard slot, hold it there for engine startup, and listen to the barely tamed purr of the engine. All of Aston Martin’s nearly unlimited bespoke personalization options have been simplified for 2017, but remain available through the Bond-inspired Q division, which is also responsible for the Vantage GT12.
The V12 Vantage S, S Roadster, and GT12 trims are slated to come with a 6.0-liter naturally aspirated V12 powerplant. In the S and S Roadster trims, this mill boasts 565 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque under the management of a 7-speed shiftable Sportshift III automatic transmission, and it can reach 60 mph in a mind-boggling 3.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 205 mph. The GT12 with the same drivetrain configuration produces 592 hp and 461 lb-ft via a revised magnesium torque tube, new manifolds, and a titanium exhaust system. Mileage with the standard-production S trim is estimated at 12 mpg city, 18 highway, and 14 combined.
Critics have been largely unhappy with the V12 Vantage’s standard automatic transmission, which is disappointingly slow and noisy. New for the 2017, however, is a Sport-Plus Pack sub-trim available on the S that offers a 7-speed Amshift manual transmission. The Sport-Plus Pack’s transmission features a racing-style dogleg shift pattern that coaxes an extra 5 hp and 8 lb-ft from the V12 powerplant, with slightly lower mileage figures of 10, 16, and 12.
The V12 Vantage S sports Bilstein adjustable shock absorbers and 3 driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Track. The GT12 adds an even more capable suspension, and an available race-oriented body kit combines with the standard rear spoiler and front diffuser for added confidence on twisty roads.
All V12 Vantage trims offer sumptuous accommodations and an iconic low-slung jet-interceptor profile. For 2017, the upgraded AMi III infotainment system includes GPS navigation and Apple CarPlay capability, but not all is perfect aboard this exotic Brit. The switchgear is not particularly enticing, and head- and legroom are tight for even an average-size adult. The coupe’s trunk offers a barely adequate 10.6 cubic feet of space, while the S Roadster has even less room due to the power-stowing soft-top roof. Standard safety features include self-leveling high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors (with front parking sensors available), and, on the S Roadster, rollover-sensing pop-up roll bars.
Some less expensive but equally performance-enhanced challengers to the V12 Vantage are the Jaguar F-TYPE R and the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, while the Porsche 911 and Audi R8 offer updated styling and features for a similar price. Interestingly, the Vantage GT12, which was created as a direct competitor to Porsche’s 911 GT3, had originally been designated the GT3 but was rebranded under pressure from Porsche.
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2017 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · 6 disc in-dash CD · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6 · 160 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 15.7 · Front brakes: carbon ceramic disc · Rear brake diameter: 14.2 · Rear brakes: carbon ceramic disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: leather · Dash trim: leather · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Headliner trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: suede
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.73 · Limited slip differential: rear
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Headlamp bezel color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: aluminum
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Kit: tire sealant
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone · Stabilizer bar(s): rear · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: remote operation
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · 6 disc in-dash CD · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6 · 160 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 15.7 · Front brakes: carbon ceramic disc · Rear brake diameter: 14.2 · Rear brakes: carbon ceramic disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: leather · Dash trim: leather · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Headliner trim: Alcantara · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.73 · Limited slip differential: rear
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Headlamp bezel color: black · Mirror color: black · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: soft top
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Parking sensors: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Kit: tire sealant
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.5
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone · Stabilizer bar(s): rear · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: remote operation