Sunday, September 7, 2014

Aston Martin Vantage V12 RS

Aston Martin Vantage V12 RS What‘s it? This is actually the Aston MartinV12 Vantage RS, the surprise one-off unveiled alongside the company’s new Gaydon design centre last December. CEO Ulrich Bez promised to think about a low-volume production run if there’s a demand. With 600bhp on tap and an all-up weight of just 1500kg, the V12 Vantage RS was always likely going to be the quickest roadgoing Aston ever built, and that is what initially generated the headlines. However it was also designed showing the supreme flexibility from the Aston Martin’s aluminium VH chassis system by matching a 600bhp version from the DB9’s 6. 0-litre V12 using the lighter, more compact body from the Vantage, normally powered using a 4. 3-litre V8 with nearly 200bhp lower output. The RS uses a Vantage chassis using the engine cradle given by a DB9 grafted in. The all-wishbone suspension is re-rated, the rack-and-pinion steering is modified, its track-rod ends are replaced by rose joints there are mechanical tweaks all over. There will be specially tooled composite and carbonfibre panels all during the car but all its noise-killing materials happen to be left out, and also the RS doesn’t need to bear the load of air-con, sat-nav, a sound system, ABS or traction control, so its wiring loom is considerably lighter than standard. And since the conventional engine management doesn’t have to aid these gizmos, Aston engineers have replaced it having a Pectel system that merely feeds and fires the engine – hence the 600bhp output, which improves upon the production DBS using a cool 90bhp, and extends the redline from 6800rpm to 7600rpm. Bearing on your mind the RS is 230kg lighter compared to the DBS, the claimed RS acceleration (4. 0sec for 0-62mph, 0-100mph in 8. 5sec ) seems conservative. Our DBS test times were 4. 2sec for 0-60mph (say 4. 3sec for 0-62mph ) and 0-100mph in 8. 7sec. What’s it like? Step straight into the RS and you’ll find you sit less than ever, with the bottom from the side windows more or less level along with your chin. The modified DBS wheel is high and almost vertical in front individuals, therefore you view corners over your knuckles, sighting directly through long bonnet. The RS includes a set of two firm and cozy semi-race bucket seats by Recaro, trimmed in grey Alcantara. The conventional V8 instrumentation remains, but a lot of the dials don’t work. Instead, engineers have replaced their functions with a little data logger that presents engine rpm in digits and it is topped using a row of gearchange lights that grows as revs rise. “Change at three or four lights, ” Craig Croot, Aston Martin's test driver advises. “That’s about 7000rpm. You’ll find the ability as you will get towards 7600. ” Privately I doubt I’ll notice. Under the yowl the V12 begins to provide a full-throated roar like the accelerator gets into the next half its travel. You’re thrust back inside the seat, Silverstone's south circuit becomes narrower, kinks become curves. Straights are now short and I’m beginning to begin to see the shift lights. The engine sounds fantastic, whoop-cracking at each downshift. But there isn‘t any time for them to savour this. You’re concentrating on not arriving too fast at subsequent obstacle. The brakes are phenomenal. They simply eliminate speed like nothing I’ve ever experienced, squeezing the car into an open road and causing you to hang forward inside the straps. I start leaving my braking later and later – until beads of sweat literally pop up givenfor my brow – but I still discover such a lot retardation in hand that I wish I’d dived in another 100 yards later. Should I buy one? Yes, although your choices are limited by decisions which are because of made at Gaydon come july 1st. At present Aston is taking a look at two production scenarios : either a super-exclusive run of 100 RS superlights, little differ from this one and priced at around £150, 000, or perhaps a run of 300-400 cars, with increased equipment and also a slightly lower price. I find myself hoping they stick using the 100-off scenario. There will be lots of other powerful, plush Astons ; let’s possess a special one. For £150k you’ll get track-based performance which will rival the very best from Ferrari or Porsche ; you’ll be also acquiring the fastest Aston, and possibly even the very best ever built. Depressed in regards to the state from the housing market? Sell yours now. Aston Martin Vantage V12 RS

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