Discussion
So what is the opinion then ? If you owned a very late V8v . You were feeling ever so slightly miffed . You could possibly change , would you? My nicely run in V8V is quite simply perfection personified.
I would add , Ihave driven a V8S , very different, lots to learn, much improved. Is it worth the extra?
I would add , Ihave driven a V8S , very different, lots to learn, much improved. Is it worth the extra?
I purchased my V8V in December last year and the when the new arrival was announced it didn't turn my head with interest.
I've driven the new S and while it's improved I would suggest it doesn't deliver any tangible benefits that you could illicit on the road. There are some 'nice to haves" such as the 7 speed box and hill start but I can happily live without those. Although an adaptive suspension option would make me think a little harder though!
If the choice was between a new Vantage and the S version I would probably opt for the Vantage S as the S is a little better in every area. The Rapide is a stunningly capable car and will probably be me my introduction to V12 motoring.
I've driven the new S and while it's improved I would suggest it doesn't deliver any tangible benefits that you could illicit on the road. There are some 'nice to haves" such as the 7 speed box and hill start but I can happily live without those. Although an adaptive suspension option would make me think a little harder though!
If the choice was between a new Vantage and the S version I would probably opt for the Vantage S as the S is a little better in every area. The Rapide is a stunningly capable car and will probably be me my introduction to V12 motoring.
I will change mine in the next 12-18 months when some non demo/press cars come up used.
Because I like;
quicker steering
lower ride height
wider tyres
air cooled gear box with lower transmission loses (makes the wheel HP a lot more than the 10BHP increase)
Smoother gearchange to ASM on mine
NO CREEP MODE!
Not too keen on the body kit and wheels ATM though
ETA - only because there will never be a V12V roadster
Because I like;
quicker steering
lower ride height
wider tyres
air cooled gear box with lower transmission loses (makes the wheel HP a lot more than the 10BHP increase)
Smoother gearchange to ASM on mine
NO CREEP MODE!
Not too keen on the body kit and wheels ATM though
ETA - only because there will never be a V12V roadster
Edited by mikey k on Monday 20th June 09:05
Mr Aston Martin said:
The Rapide is a stunningly capable car and will probably be me my introduction to V12 motoring.
Yup - it's just won a design award too.My only problem with it is the current lack of used ones, and as a DB9 driver I'm still not satisfied with the seating arrangements in the back.
And I'm a 'Scottish Midget'
Jockman said:
Yup - it's just won a design award too.
My only problem with it is the current lack of used ones, and as a DB9 driver I'm still not satisfied with the seating arrangements in the back.
And I'm a 'Scottish Midget'
Casting aside the nationality and size issues, surely you'll be driving and there's plenty of room up front?!My only problem with it is the current lack of used ones, and as a DB9 driver I'm still not satisfied with the seating arrangements in the back.
And I'm a 'Scottish Midget'
mikey k said:
ETA - only because there will never be a V12V roadster
There is Edited by mikey k on Monday 20th June 09:05
It exists. It will just never be sold as AML belive it will detract from the purity of the V12V as a sports car. A shame really, what a machine it would be, but I guess the power and torque cannot be reigned in sufficiently with the roof chopped off, as good as the VH chassis is.
yeti said:
There is
It exists. It will just never be sold as AML belive it will detract from the purity of the V12V as a sports car. A shame really, what a machine it would be, but I guess the power and torque cannot be reigned in sufficiently with the roof chopped off, as good as the VH chassis is.
I know they made a prototype for trial work.It exists. It will just never be sold as AML belive it will detract from the purity of the V12V as a sports car. A shame really, what a machine it would be, but I guess the power and torque cannot be reigned in sufficiently with the roof chopped off, as good as the VH chassis is.
I refuse to believe the VH chassis strength has anything to do with it.
What did they change on the coupe to strength it for the V12?
The roadster is actually just a stiff as the coupe.
yeti said:
There is
It exists. It will just never be sold as AML belive it will detract from the purity of the V12V as a sports car. A shame really, what a machine it would be, but I guess the power and torque cannot be reigned in sufficiently with the roof chopped off, as good as the VH chassis is.
Well the DBS Volante puts 510bhp through a VH platform well enough?It exists. It will just never be sold as AML belive it will detract from the purity of the V12V as a sports car. A shame really, what a machine it would be, but I guess the power and torque cannot be reigned in sufficiently with the roof chopped off, as good as the VH chassis is.
I suspect that the problem is that for a limited production run it's expensive to get type approval and AML believe they'd not sell enough.
JohnG1 said:
Well the DBS Volante puts 510bhp through a VH platform well enough?
I suspect that the problem is that for a limited production run it's expensive to get type approval and AML believe they'd not sell enough.
more like it I suspect that the problem is that for a limited production run it's expensive to get type approval and AML believe they'd not sell enough.
They will sell less than the Coupe if you look at the PH V8's for sale (straw pole style) there only 1/4 that are roadsters.
But ALL the tooling is there and the margin ought to be good type approval aside.
mikey k said:
I know they made a prototype for trial work.
I refuse to believe the VH chassis strength has anything to do with it.
What did they change on the coupe to strength it for the V12?
The roadster is actually just a stiff as the coupe.
What I was told by AML at Le Mans. I have no vested interest, just passing on what I was told! I refuse to believe the VH chassis strength has anything to do with it.
What did they change on the coupe to strength it for the V12?
The roadster is actually just a stiff as the coupe.
How can the roadster be as stiff as the coupe? It doesn't have a roof! It's still very stiff, but not the same unless there is extra strengthening such as a structural floorpan? I remember Hammond and his blackboard on TG, the DB9 coupe was 21,000 Newton metres and the Volante was 15,000 Newton metres. Same chassis, different wheelbase but same chassis largely. That 15kn/m still made it the world's stiffest cabrio at the time so it's still pretty good.
They didn't need to stiffen the Vantage coupe AFAIK for the V12V, and the power/torque the Roadster makes obviously seems well within what it can cope with fitted with a V8. However, the V12 is in a different league for power and torque.
I don't believe Jockman can't fit in it. At that size he must be able to fit in the back of the DB9 with room to spare! sMurph said:
Perhaps we should have a meet up (down) at Gaydon - see which of us fit in the thing.
It's always good to see you rushing round like a headless tazmanian chicken.
JohnG, Mikey K (homeless vagrant) and Yeti do the same thing.
Thing is, pretty much what all 4 of you say is both educational and logical.
BTW, you may have sat in a Rapide, but no way did that door ever shut on a 6'4" and 17.5 (s)tonne heffer like yourself
Jockman said:
...
BTW, you may have sat in a Rapide, but no way did that door ever shut on a 6'4" and 17.5 (s)tonne heffer like yourself
It most definitely did, and I would have happily stayed in there to watch a film.BTW, you may have sat in a Rapide, but no way did that door ever shut on a 6'4" and 17.5 (s)tonne heffer like yourself
In fact I'd be happy to lay a wager. If Aston would lend us a Rapide
Jockman said:
There is one in the foyer at Gaydon as we speak.
I shall pm you next time I'm in the area
Give me a bit of notice and I'll try and get up there.I shall pm you next time I'm in the area
I'll even eat a few more pies to beef up a bit. And will bring you some noddy holder platforms
I reckon we could then both be chauffeured in style to the local chippy in the back of a Rapide.Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff