*NOW UPDATED WITH VIDEO* Aston Martin has announced that it will offer the new V12 Vantage S with a manual transmission.
[Not a valid template]Rejoice Aston Martin fans, for salvation is coming for the V12 Vantage S in 2017. As we’ve found with not only the hardtop and convertible versions of the mid-range bruiser but also its V8 alternate, the driving experience involved with Aston’s mid-range performance bruiser can be an incredibly shonky one should you opt for the seven-speed automatic gearbox. Or to put it another way, it stank.
It’s no real wonder then that news of a seven-speed manual has spread joy throughout the crankandpiston.com office. Said unit sends power to the rear wheels, and features a classic dog-leg first gear position, which also ensures the gears used most frequently are located in a double ‘H‘ pattern akin to a conventional six-speed manual.
The new manual transmission also features AMSHIFT, a system that mimics the technique of heel-and-toe downshifts (cue Ayrton Senna in white loafers and gratuitous Honda NSX link) for full throttle upshifts. We’ll point out here though, should any masochists have taken an interest in this news piece, that the Sportshift III automatic is also still available to order.
Mechanically the V12 Vantage S remains the same for 2017, 563bhp and 457lb ft of torque being spewed from a 6-litre naturally-aspirated V12, meaning 0-100kph is achievable in 3.9 seconds for the 1745kg sports car en-route to a 330kph top speed.
Technical specifications available on page 2
