Aston Martin has revealed an upgraded Aston Martin Vantage line-up, with revised models featuring a new infotainment system, new colour options and, most significantly, the option of a newly developed seven-speed manual gearbox in the V12 Vantage S coupé and roadster.
Read our review of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S manual
Billed as the ultimate analogue supercar, the manual Aston Martin V12 Vantage S is 4kg lighter than its automatic sibling but has the same performance figures, with a claimed 0-62mph time of 3.9sec and a top speed of 205mph.
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The seven-speed transmission features a ‘dogleg’ first gear and AMSHIFT, which uses clutch, gear position and propshaft sensors to mimic heel-and-toe downshifts.
The manual V12 Vantage S costs from £138,000 - the same as the automatic version - and is an unlimited series-production model. First deliveries are due in September, ahead of the next-generation Vantage, which is set to arrive next year.
Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer said: "Broadening the scope of the V12 Vantage S with a manual transmission option is an indication of our desire to offer the keenest drivers a more analogue and immersive machine to enjoy. I'd like to take this opportunity to reiterate that the manual gearbox remains an integral part of our product plans and will do for many years to come."
Aston’s director of product development, Ian Minards, added: “At a time when manual transmissions have almost entirely disappeared in high-performance cars, this makes the manual V12 Vantage S a very special car indeed.”
The V12 Vantage S also receives a new Sport-Plus Pack option with exterior and interior tweaks, including the choice of five body colours and optional accent colours to the grille surround, side sills, mirror caps and rear diffuser, as well as 10-spoke graphite-finish alloy wheels.
Aston Martin has also simplified the V8 Vantage range, reducing the line-up from four to two by dropping the non-S models, leaving just the V8 Vantage S coupé and roadster variants. The entry-level model gets minor changes inside and out, along with five new options packs.
The move comes shortly after Porsche 911 GT3 guru Andreas Preuninger confirmed that the next-generation GT3 will be available with an optional manual transmission.
All Vantage models will be fitted with a new AMi III infotainment system, with a new sat-nav system and the option to integrate Apple CarPlay.
The Aston Martin Rapide S and Aston Martin Vanquish also have new option packs, intended to simplify the specification process.
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All very well AM bigging
Nice scenery, Scotland ?
Colour scheme
I thought it was some bad bit