What's the news?
Aston Martin may have just unveiled the next chapter in its history, in the shape of the new DB11, but it's not giving up on the Vantage line-up just yet and headlining a raft of changes for the '2017' model year is the addition of a seven-speed manual gearbox option for the range-topping V12 Vantage S.
Exterior
While the V8 Vantage S Coupe and Roadster are tweaked externally, the biggest design news is the introduction of a Sport-Plus Pack. Along with ten-spoke graphite-finish alloy wheels there are five body colours to choose from and, optionally, a contrast colour for the front grille surround, side sills, mirror caps and rear diffuser blades.
Interior
That Sport-Plus Pack comes with a choice of grey or black upholstery inside with stitching in a contrast colour to match the exterior. Of more importance, perhaps, is the debut of the AMi III infotainment system, with much-improved satnav and Apple CarPlay included.
Mechanicals
So, back to that manual gearbox. It's a seven-speed affair with first gear set apart in a 'dog-leg' configuration so the remaining six gears form a conventional double H pattern. That's the only change to the V12 Vantage S, which, by way of reminder, packs a naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine producing 573hp and 620Nm of torque. Aston Martin quotes 3.9 seconds for zero to 100km/h and a top speed of 330km/h - regardless of whether the new manual gearbox is fitted or the current seven-speed Sportshift III 'automated manual'.
Anything else?
Making its debut in the manual car is AMSHIFT, a rev-matching function for down-changing that also is said to aid full-throttle upshifts. Notably, the driver can switch AMSHIFT on or off.
Aston Martin CEO, Dr 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."
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