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Aston Martin’s have something special about them. They look great – although often too similar – and they sound even better, but they’re often criticised on the low number of production Astons that can break the 300km/h top speed barrier. But if you really want your hair blown back, then the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster ticks all the right boxes.
The V12 Vantage S Roadster is the most powerful roadster ever made by Aston. Its 6.0-litre V12 engine serves up 421kW and 620Nm on a silver platter, shunting the big Vantage drop-top to 100km/h in 4.1 seconds, and carries it to a top speed of 323km/h. To top it all off, you get the wind through your hair and the scream of a thirsty V12 in your eardrums thanks to the retractable soft-top.
So the nitty-gritty bits, for those of you who are truly dedicated petrolheads, are as follows. Peak torque is available at 5750 rpm, with 510nm available from only 1000 rpm, whilst maximum power appears at 6750 rpm. The V12 has been tuned for a “fatter yet flatter” torque curve, offering wind-up characteristics of a great naturally aspirated sports car whilst still delivering usable torque at any point in the rev range.
The V12 Vantage S Roadster features a 7-speed Sportshift III automated manual transmission, driving the rear wheels, with paddles should you wish to swap cogs yourself. The new transmission, replacing a manual 6-speed unit in the old model, shaves 20Kg off the total mass, with the final result being a total mass of 1745Kg.
Three-stage adaptive damping makes an appearance, along with three-stage DSC and two-stage ABS systems, allowing for a “tailored drive”. Three selectable modes are made available to choose from,Normal, Sport, and Track, all with varying power delivery and ride quality. Braking is handled by carbon ceramic discs front and rear, housed within 19-inch alloys wearing Pirelli P Zero Corsa rubber.
