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Announced a few weeks before the official unveiling at the 2011 Geneva
Motor Show, the Vantage S is positioned between the regular V8 Vantage
and the V12 Vantage. The most significant feature of the 'S' is not
the upgraded engine, but the all new 7 speed close ratio 'Sportshift II' automated
manual transmission, both lighter and faster than previously. Also significantly revised has been the chassis,
braking and aerodynamics which strongly related to the V12 Vantage. |
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The close ratio Sportshift II 7 speed is the only
transmission option for the
Vantage S, a brand new bespoke unit by Graziano with hydraulics by Magneti Marelli. Operated by paddles behind the steering wheel for
manual mode, it can also be used as a regular auto by pressing the D button on
the facia. The advantages of Sportshift II are many, it is
significantly lighter package than previously - and lighter than
similar DSC gearboxes used on competitors, it is 20% faster in changing
gear and with close ratios and thus allows the engine to operate in the
optimum part of the tourque curve when accelerating hard.
The engine fitted to the Vantage S is a revised version of the 4.7
litre V8, now with 430bhp peak power and 490Mn of torque (10bhp and
20Nm more than the standard 4.7 litre V8 Vantage). This has been achieved
by a valved air intake system which allows more air to flow into the
engine above 3500rpm and an aggressive spark strategy which permits
advanced ignition for maximum power. The slight downside is that to benefit most from
this strategy, the S requires high octane (99 or 100 RON) fuel.
In order to distinguish the S spec engine, the intake manifold is
painted black instead of silver. The exhaust has also been modified to
that of the V12 Vantage with greater capacity and less back pressure,
plus in 'sport' mode, the exhaust valve stays open for a greater part
of the rev range. Performance of the S has been significantly improved over the regular car
with an increase in top speed from 180mph to 189mph.
Revisions to the chassis includes a quicker steering rack,
two piece floating disc
front braking system with cast iron discs with 6 pot Brembo calipers, new
springs and Bilstein dampers, wider tyres all round, wider rear tyres plus a new
dynamic stability
control system.
Many of the new
exterior features of the Vantage S have come from the
V12 Vantage. These include the new lower bumper with full width front
splitter and large lower air intake which also feeds cooling air to
the front brakes. The N24/N400 style sills have been made even wider
and are actually identical straight off the V12. On the coupe, the boot
lid has a much larger flip-up to give better high speed stability by
reducing rear lift. Below, on the rear bumper is a new hand made carbon
fibre diffuser. Despite the many exterior similarities between the V8 'S' and V12, the
S has not inherited the
four large air bonnet vents.
The 'S' has also
received new 19 inch wheels, unique to the V8 Vantage S with a
distinctive 'V' spoke
design that give a clear view of the larger diameter front brakes and
6 pot callipers. Available as an option are a lightweight 10 spoke
forged wheel, same design as used on the N420 but a half an inch wider
at the rear. |
So as to distinguish the S from the standard car, the interior has
some unique features to represent the sporting nature of the car.
Distinctive triple track sticking is used inside the doors (with
folded leather), on the centre console and the seat centre panels.
'Vantage S' logos are embroidered on the seat backs (or headrests on
the optional lightweight seats).
For the 2012MY, in line with the
Virage, the car adopted the Garmin sat-nav and 'beam blade' wiper design,
incorporating Bosch Aerotwin wiper blades.
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V8 Vantage N420
