Reviews
Gallery 1
The GT12 – which was to be called GT3 until Porsche became uppity about the name – takes the V12 S as a base and makes it even more extreme.
Think of it as Aston’s answer to a 458 Speciale, only it’s more exclusive and expensive. Aston will only build 100, all of which are sold, at £250,000 (AUD$545,300) each.
The changes run deep to justify that cost, though, and they’re inspired by Aston’s own GT3 race cars. Hence the wings, the splitters and the (optional) paint finish. This is the lowest, widest Vantage ever, some 50mm wider than standard and fitted with lightweight carbonfibre bumpers, front wings, bonnet and (an optional) roof.
With the weight decrease comes a significant power increase. The standard V12 Vantage S makes 421kW, which is plenty for its chassis. The GT12’s 5.9-litre V12 receives magnesium inlet manifolds with revised geometry and a titanium exhaust system and now produces a walloping 441kW.
There’s certainly a lot of old-school charm about the way the GT12 fires up. The noise, unadulterated by turbochargers, is pure and aggressive.
There are three-stage adjustable dampers with Normal, Sport and Track modes, and there’s also a Sport mode for the powertrain that sharpens the throttle and gearshifts and makes more noise, more often. Leave both settings in their easy modes and the GT12 retains much of the charm that makes the V12 S so special.
What it’s like on a blistering race track is a verdict that will have to wait for another day, but on good roads it’s an extremely well-sorted car. The ride in Normal gives sufficient body control for sensible driving, but flicking through to Sport adds a spot of extra composure. Track is too firm for road driving, but the variations between modes aren’t miles apart, and that’s exactly as it should be.
Trail the exceptional brakes into a corner and the nose stays firmly planted, and there’s fine mid-corner balance. On the way out of a bend, it’s the traction control, rather than the throttle, that dictates how quickly you’ll enter the next straight. Disable the electronics and it feels like there’s abundant opportunity to light up the rear tyres, but the throttle response and the noise, should you want, are truly spectacular.
Put simply, the Vantage GT12 is a terrific driver’s car. It’s raucous and loud when you want it to be yet acceptable when you don’t. This is a sports/GT car right out of the old school, and it’s all the better for it.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Specs Engine: 5935cc V12, DOHC, 48v Power: 441kW @ 7000rpm Torque: 625Nm @ 5500rpm Weight: 1565kg 0-100km/h: 3.5sec (claimed) Price: Sold out Positives: Delicious V12 engine; sublime steering; aggression Negatives: Limited production run; outdated gearbox; huge price
