Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster review (2013 onward)

Summary

What: Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster
Where: Gaydon, UK
Date: December 2012
Price: (£150,000), Rs 1.3 crores
Available: Now

Key rivals:Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster, Porsche 911 Turbo S, Ferrari California, Audi R8 V10 Spyder

Limited edition version of Aston’s most muscular Vantage is still drama-filled but has a subtly different feel to the coupe and will appeal more to some as a result.

We like: Sheer roof-down drama, noise, accessible handling, very fast when stretched, better ride than coupe
We don’t like: Wind blast at higher speeds, not quite as sharp, poor manual gearbox, ageing interiorFirst Impressions

It’s a logical progression: build a roadster version of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage coupe that so fizzed us here at MSN Cars earlier in the year. Easier said than done: that car, Aston’s smallest model with its largest engine, was pushing the envelope. Cutting the roof off only adds to the challenge.

But Aston’s done it, courtesy of numerous specific chassis revisions and a special and more pronounced ducktail flip for the bootlid. It’s strictly limited to just 101 units – 100 for customers and one for Aston – and is already selling healthily despite a (£150,000), Rs 1.3 crores price tag.Those expecting the snarling menace of the V12 Vantage coupe may be surprised by the V12 Vantage Roadster in the metal, though. Yes, there’s a full carbon fibre bodykit and humongous rear diffuser, while there’s no missing that rear ducktail either. Naturally, the bonnet is packed out with the unique venting strakes that identify the V12 Vantage.

But it somehow seems a bit less ‘extreme’ than the coupe. Maybe it’s an effect of the black hood of the test car we drove, making it seem more like an upmarket Vantage Roadster rather than the snarling and highly bespoke V12 monster it is. Whatever, though, it doesn’t take long to put people right.

Performance

The Aston Martin 6.0-litre V12 now puts out over 570hp in latest Vanquish guise. This V12 Roadster doesn’t get that, so ‘makes do’ with 517hp. It’s more than enough to make it a quite extraordinary two-seater with some real depths of performance to tap into.

It’s a bit slower to 62mph than the coupe, posting 4.5 seconds instead of 4.2 seconds. That’s not really the big deal here, though: it’s the sheer ferocity of response in the upper reaches of the rev range that makes it so thrilling. Having the roof down only adds to the intensity, simply because you’re so much more aware of the world passing by so much faster, so much more quickly.

The noise helps. This engine sounds amazing, particularly in Sport mode. Roof down, it’s the pure, completely unadulterated wail of the exhausts that dominates – the sort of clarity that turbocharged engines can’t quite replicate. At high revs, it makes your nerves fizzle with excitement.

The blast of wind noise eventually takes over above 60mph though, leaving it noisy in a less attractive way. So, put the roof up instead: here, some of the exhausts’ howl still permeates the canvass roof, but you now get a lot more of the engine’s ultra-creamy mechanical whirr, too. It’s a good compromise.

The six-speed manual gearbox remains an issue, though. Aston’s Sportshift II auto presumably can’t cope with the V12’s power, meaning the regular manual is reinforced instead. Its vague, treacly action and occasional notchiness is a disappointment, even if it does also feel quite in keeping with the ‘heavyweight engineering’ feel of the car.

You can’t avoid using it quite often either, if you want to release the best of the V12’s power. Torque is both relatively weak, at 420lb ft, and much too peaky (it doesn’t max out until 5,750rpm). Below 3,000rpm, this 1,760kg car is surprisingly flat for such a large-engined machine. Yes, you need to keep the revs up. All that noise is the reward, though.Ride and handling

We found the V12 Vantage coupe could at times be a little nervy – highly charismatic, yes, but too firm for some of the UK’s gnarly road surfaces. In removing the roof, Aston has intentionally removed some of the stiffness too, courtesy of revised suspension settings that make it a bit more supple.

It means the ride quality is improved, with some of the V8 Vantage’s well-oiled composure returning to the mix. It’s still firm, but damping is not as stiff, so it’s more agreeable on rough British back roads. The big 19-inch wheels can still thump into potholes, mind.And what’s it like, pressing this V12 machine hard through twisty sequences? You do sense there’s a big 6.0-litre motor up front – it doesn’t respond with the immediacy of the V8, and there’s more lean-on roll before it reacts too – but once settled, it is nicely neutral and responsive. You’ll find this an unexpectedly confident car in fast motoring.

Pity the steering still can’t match the high standards of the V8 for detail and feedback, though. The over-large rim feels slightly disconnected just off centre and the softness in initial response is at odds with the high level of precision once in a corner. Steering weight varies broadly too, from over-heavy at low speed to light at higher speed.

One provision here: the test car was shod with winter tyres, which will have a negative effect on handling precision (and an positive one on ride quality?). Cold temperatures could also be why the standard ceramic brakes lacked initial bite and feel: they’re very powerful, but they don’t feel it during light braking.Safety and economy

This older-generation V12 engine makes no effort to be particularly fuel efficient. You don’t get stop-start, there’s no special green tech and the combined average of 17.3mpg (and 388g/km CO2) says it all. In reality, you’re unlikely to return anything like this, either.

It’s more secure than you’d perhaps expect a smallish car with a big V12 engine to be, though. The icy conditions of the test drive proved the efficiency of the ESP system (and how long-life its yellow dashboard bulb is…) and the car’s handling balance meant dramatic moments were rare – impressive stuff for a 517hp car being driven with pace in sub-zero conditions. Just don’t turn it off: do so, and you’re asking for trouble.Verdict

Sub-zero conditions aren’t perhaps the most obvious time to test a 517hp V12 two-seat roadster, but the Aston acquitted itself well. It’s not quite as edgy as the coupe, not as intense, and this slightly more supple character makes it a better-rounded car. Not quite as exciting, no, but easier to live with.

The drama is instead reserved for the noise it makes, which is best enjoyed at lower speeds anyway. A car with lots of show and plenty of go, but one which won’t frighten you when you do step it up: an intriguing performance roadster for those with (£150,000), Rs 1.3 crores to spend.