2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Driven on Canyon Roads - CAR and DRIVER

Contributing Editor Basem Wasef revisits the 2013 Aston Martin V12 Vantage to see if it's as wonderful as he remembers it to be on the latest episode of Car and Driver: Tested.
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CAR: Aston Martin V12 Vantage
LOCATION: Latigo Canyon Road, Malibu, California
MAG EDITORS: Basem Wasef
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Hosted by the editors of Car and Driver magazine, this show puts the audience into the action on new-car reviews, comparison tests, auto-show coverage, and more. Our experts drive and test the latest models, attend automotive events around the world, and check out the latest in-vehicle technology like massaging seats and night-vision systems. Viewers will also have the opportunity to write in and extend the conversation.
Each week, the Car and Driver KZbin Channel will launch episodes of Car and Driver: Abroad, Car and Driver: Tested, Popular Mechanics Saturday Mechanic and How'd They Do That, and Road & Track Presents.

[@antonakis79ohyes]

At last! A car journalist that speaks of the feeling and sensation of driving, rather than 0-60 and lateral g and stuff like that... We don't need any more numbers. Simple truths are more than enough, just like a fantastic engine and a proper, smooth gearbox, matted to a great chassis. Well done Mr. Wasef.

[@sloppyjo4560]

u rite

[@jake11375]

Big engine, small body, 3 pedals... Love it...

[@benlotus2703]

if you say Ronnie Pickering 3 times in the car mirror a Citroen Picasso appears behind you ?

[@s2korpionic]

I'm in love with that red Aston. It's red. Oh my God.

[@lejink]

I see an Aston around now and then, every time I stop and stare... So beautiful

[@BestCaseHypothesis]

Ive been doing so much reading and watching of car reviews, and the reviewer makes a great point, it all comes down to how the car feels, and only certain cars can create an experience that makes you want to drive it no matter what the specs.

[@AerialAssassin4]

I've driven the Carbon Black Edition V12 Vantage several times and the one thing that I always tell people first is about the exhaust note. I could drive a car like that every day because even shifting at 3k rpm, it sounds like you going a million miles an hour. Only way I'd be able to daily drive a supercar without getting my license suspended... :)

[@xByrned420x]

This car makes me so happy. I never plan on owning anything that doesn't have three pedals and a six speed, so I can dream about this car alllll day long. Great review!

[@myZisfantastic]

May be the best review of this beast! I approve totally your comments about the gear box;). Thank you to avoid drifting this beauty! I see a kind of respect to this great brand... Cheers

[@martinavaslovik3433]

I really enjoyed this video! That driver knows his stuff and what a manual trans is all about in a V12 car! Sad that you can only get one V12 with a manual now, and this car is it. I so want that car! I so love the sound of that V12!

[@FoxFourX1]

What a soundtrack, that six liter W12 is! Great vid. Usually, Astons look best IMO in light metallic colors, but that red with black inserts really sets the car off.

[@stealthmintblue]

Fantastic vid man! Manual transmission RULES!!!!! That exhaust note is unbelievable!!

[@treatb09]

god those roads there are wonderful, there small, an beat up, but they drive better then most highways, smoother at least. they feel dangerous, and its like stepping back in time. how i wish cali was a possibility

[@14KShadow]

Brilliant job with the audio capture on this guys!

[@andyj288]

Simply the best modern car available

[@cschilli68]

These videos are getting better! Keep it up

[@TamilTrapstar]

something about those tail lights....amazing

[@2264ish]

Seems like the combination of a great sportscar and a great muscle car, the best of both worlds. Nice video!!

[@QAShare]

I love Astons and really thought about getting the V12 but after a test drive and going over the details I really couldnt warrant the purchase at that price compared to my 458. Still overall lovely car with a great growl.

[@GregStelmach]

I would keep this car to the rest of my life IF I was able to afford it.... its total Perfection it has SOUL that exhaust note... the best thing in the world..... looks stunning...

[@aydinvideo]

Nice driving!

[@revm3]

This has to be, no that's silly, It is the most beautiful looking car and the best sounding V12.

[@jayco9968]

My god did it look good amongst traffic. So sexy going slow, stood out for sure! Beautiful.

[@ThePolarOObear]

FINALLY a driver who just appreciates the way a car FEELS. Couldn't agree more! Fuck dualclutch-transmissions, 0-60 time figures and ALL the other high-tech-nonsense stuff! What really matters: what does a car to my HEART. And YOU - my friend - really pointed that out really well! Well done, amazing review. Just makes me feel happy watching you ENJOYING this old-school-british-machinery :) greets from germany

[@VQSeries]

Excellent review!!

[@chris14091975]

This review made me subscribe to car and driver

[@onoff314]

Really great video guys

[@Gitohandro]

Wait you're mister car and Driver? I've waited my whole life to see you :D no homo... But I like your website reviews on cars... I especially like how you usually rank them

[@DriveBreakFixRepeat]

Basem, how did you get the job working with Michigan-based, Car & Driver when you are in Southern California? Do they routinely take in West Coast-based correspondents?

[@steffydog]

She looks and sounds great.

[@Beolex]

That's because they are twin-turbocharged. Having two smaller turbos in contrast to one big turbo will produce less turbo lag.

[@SukhySs]

Great review. A review on the new R8 or RS5 would be nice

[@geforce5700fx]

i drive a 97' Nissan Micra (March), 1.0 L 16 valves 55 hp :) i think the V12 Vantage is fast enough for me ...

[@LewsSpeedShop]

How would you maintain that kind of setup? Small chassis, big engine

[@SPMNDK89]

These reviews are awesome, they are in depth and provide insight into what being an owner of the car is like. Reviews by Jonny Lieberman of Motortrend are the worst.

[@riasj10]

Love Aston Martin! My favorite is the One-77 I'd give my wife and kids up for one. Lol!

[@the6cow6god6]

nice to see someone can make a stick car still good =)

[@QrayzHD]

Agreed.

[@TheMasterRanker]

The mic seems messed up, I dont know if its just me. Voice sounds underwater. Good video though

[@AyaxRo]

Hes referring to the styling that Ford borrowed from Aston lol... CnD, how about taking the Vanquish out on the roads once its available to you...I like the looks of it, but it certainly seems more like an evolution of a DBS than a real step forward or game changer... maybe I'm wrong.

[@gorviv529]

Awesome car. Awesome review.

[@Ne0c225]

Did AM increased the hp of the '13 v12 vantage to 565 hp? or i just misheard.

[@hartsickdisciple]

If I could have any factory car, this would be it.

[@thomasaboyine2509]

I pray to own aston martin rapide S 2013 model. But how much is it offered?

[@nitroxize]

new turbo sports cars these days have very very little lag, and its rarely noticeable. eg the Nissan GTR , Bi-turbo amgs etc,

[@LandonInman]

He Gets The Point.

[@Jemehl21]

what is the name of the song at the beginning

[@kjetil297]

if i get my car project done its a toyota supra it will have about 600hp would you test the car and give me ideas to worck on when im finishd with it it wil look like it come out of the fast and the furious

[@GOBbluthagain]

it's a beauty

[@thimble288]

This was 2012, imagine how novel the manual transmission is now. I weep for the future.

[@NikoBell12]

+Eric Leippe Aston Martin will keep using manuals.

[@thimble288]

NikoBell12 I hope so. Porsche is also holding out pretty well. Ferrari is dead to me.

[@Troubleshooter125]

How about this: we've seen and heard LOTS about the Bugatti Veyron, but next to NOTHING about the SSC Ultimate Aero. Whatcha think? Can do?

[@evans4you]

I'd still prefer that exact configuration but in the bigger db9/dbs & also the vanquish,that's too much weight over the front the wheels

[@riederernicholas95]

Shit going up and down all those hills would make my ears pop like a mutherfer

[@MCG19]

Nice!!

[@Miggy2j]

A lot more involving, more fun and the car is more predictable this particularly the case with automatics fitted with stall converters.

[@charliekeating9075]

That road also is home to hardcore longboarders

[@JordanHCG]

he knows, he was saying it was awesome that it was a manual.

[@Bazzbian]

wow thats a nice car =)

[@BIBILOUK]

Plait-il ?

[@TimeisReel]

Make mine Navy Blue...

[@mike971000]

wow . if i had the privilege to drive such a car there would be no complaining

[@azooz8122]

NICE NICE NICE

[@msa24399]

the aston martin rapid

[@obhatti]

oh lord...... it's a naturally aspirated engine. you won't get much higher without resorting to turbo charging or super charging the engine. he even mentions the lack of direct injection. Aston Martin is old school. it's not about beating a car like the GT-R for numbers. it's about how it FEELS. Aston also makes the most power NA V12 engine in the world - 750 horses from the 7.3 litre engine in the One-77. If you care about that sort of thing.....

[@Orionofearth]

Vantage is like a mondern day supra made in the U.K.

[@hartsickdisciple]

I guarantee that car can do better than a 12.5 in the 1/4 mile. A 420-430 hp Mustang GT can do it in 12.6 - 12.7 bone stock. This car has a lot more horsepower and it's only about 150 lbs heavier. 12.0 should be possible.

[@lim3lif3]

wouldn't this throw off the weight ratio?

[@reycuerdos]

"Ouch!! My left foot hurts!!" What are you!? Spoiled!? Shut the hell uuuppppp and let me drive that thing!

[@WhereTheLoud]

I wish I was driving the car not watching it on KZbin, still great though

[@000SaviourXXX]

A manual v12 Aston Martin? =O SO MUCH WANT!!

[@Evo906]

If you take a quick glance, you'd think it was a Sion FR-S

[@mountjoy23]

Not bad for two mercury contour V6's on a common crank....

[@FamilyCTSV]

they could at least give the option to buyers rather they want dual clutch or stick.

[@CaldeAilis]

Well, then again Aston Martin thought 2 pedals are better now and the new V12 Vantage S is going to have only 2 pedals. Too bad Basem.

[@weejitwill]

a 6 liter V12 engine that can only put out 560hp? those engineers failed. There are v6's that can put out more power

[@Buttnut105]

I prefer Aston's to be a bit bigger, like the new Vanquish. Though the Vantage has the sportiest chassis of the lineup, it still seems like a GT car at heart and something that really cannot compete dynamically with say a 911 or an R8.

[@Eiscakeman]

this design.... Magnifique!

[@jackwatson5380]

This video is 9 minutes and 11 seconds long........

[@NicolasCageisGod]

Illuminati confirmed

[@PalladiumTV]

And

[@konliner9286]

I feel like the V12 Vantage is the modern version of Ferrari 250GT.

[@joeybootz2126]

HA! how can some people talk trash about a car like this.. It is beautiful in my opinion, although I don't really like the hood of it.. ANYWAY, the funny thing is every imbecile on youtube comments about how "this sucks" "that sucks". Seriously, no car on earth is perfect and im guessing the people that constantly complain about EVERY SINGLE CAR ON KZbin, PROBABLY COULDN'T AFFORD A HONDA CIVIC.

[@fordfool420]

I couldn't agree more! That was an awesome review thank you!! And that is my hands down favorite exotic vehicle! It drips sex appeal it's very 007 And what's not to love About that...

[@carlosalexandrecosta4234]

Nice place..massive car...awesome review!! Keep up the good work!

[@Mejevoli]

In the future, i'd do my best to get a v12 vantage manual.. Imagine.

[@StriderCX]

Brilliant review. Wish Aston's were lighter though... and come on, it's a V12. Your potential HP output can be so much more. You really caught the soul of Aston's towards the end.

[@TruJoker1]

A lil over 3700lbs!!! This lil ass car weighs just as much as a Buick Regal, and they say the American cars are too heavy? All of these foriegn sports cars are WAY overweight!

[@ianrkav]

Shouldn't be a problem. Jeremy Clarkson is 6'4" and well over 220 lbs and he fits in a vantage quite comfortably. He too prefers the DBS though!

[@Otherdave008]

A lot of people say Automatic would be better if certain cars, but i mostly disagree, with manual is more exciting and you, the driver are more in control...

[@PlayerNineteen]

Wait it doesn't have VVT or direct injection? Why the hell wouldn't they put that it?

[@VirusTornado]

the engine is archaic. Aston don't have the money to develop a new one. Hence why they now have a deal with AMG for engines...

[@geeoffchin]

Sorry to bust your bubble, It's had that design since its unveiling in 2009. But nice try.

[@BIBILOUK]

This is the first cad review with some special effect to boost the speed of the car on the video(in case you didn't noticed), instead of let it goes realisticly as it should, there we could see how the car is moving at corner exit, take time to see wheel spin maybe, imagine how it's behave on the road etc...and I tkink that kind of videos is all about that. Then I'm french so my english can be misunderstood, I understand. So you'd gather not.

[@BIBILOUK]

I like your review, but what's the point here of accelerating the outside images of the car sometimes ? You don't really think we're gonna say "oh look how that's fast buddy wow !!" dont you ??... It's annoying I think, we can't really see the reaction of the car, bumping, over steering, or just grip at corner exit...well in fact all what we (I) came here for : see a car for what it really is and not what it looks like in gone in 60 second 2 ! Don't try to make hollywood entertainment please..

[@andresmanriquez5966]

clutch effort???!!!! damn dude, are you sure you're a man??? manual transmissions are great, they give you a better sensation of the car's character, and you're driving an aston, so, come on dude... be more manly, and love the old school, automatic transmissions are for lazy people, or people who can't coordinate changing gears... if you really love driving, then you'd love manual transmissions...

[@mace2142]

thing is man, it is too much of a hassle to work a manual of a high power car, for example a friend has a manual m3, it is a pain in the ass, he admits it so he sold it after a few months and bought a c63 coupe. it is fun sure, but for 5 min, the rest of the time it is just unnecessary. plus i don't find shifting with paddles any less rewarding. i am honestly never going to buy a manual car, unless it is a brz, then i might. and trust me i am a petrol head.

[@gauve30]

hey , I am a maniac level car enthusiast. It would be great if you make a review with aston martin v8(any) jag xkrs convo and MP4-12c because jag is from the sme class, and mclaren mp4 has been made with just comfort in mind and the aspect of making down the supercar that compromises no aspect of a RR. somehow the aventadors never made that much sense.

[@Alvaricokemaureira]

maybe a ferrari is faster, maybe a lamborghini is noiser, maybe a porsche ( a brand wich i love ), but, if this car feels how this video make me feel, say me how unique it´s. i have only one think to change about this video, you should arrived to a VIP night club, wearing a suit, and then when they asked who are you, you respond ..." my name is Wasef, Basem Wasef"...

[@tiborttt1]

What the hell are you babbling on about. They gave us a chance to see every stunning angle of this car and listen to the incredible sound it emits upon acceleration. From your remarks I gather you wished they would focus on the leather seats and dashboard instruments for 9 minutes.

[@UcheRed]

4.2 to 60 is kinda bad, 48 valve with 510Hp is bad come on... I know its not all about speed and all but Aston martin can do better Atleast 3.6 to 60 would be nice at 48 valve 560-600 should be standard HP but for the Price I rather go get a ZR1 Corvette or GTR Black Edition and be Happy!!!

[@djtj89]

Okay this is totally weird but I swear I hear dumpvalve noises in this vid! 7:58, 8:03 & 8:39! Either theres a forced induction car nearby or malibus birds are geting more and more queer. Although might be just bad editing... Tell me its not just me hearing it, someone? Anyone??

[@sleepersown]

I really hope the future doesn't hold the complete takeover of DCT's. Yes you can be faster, yes it'll probably improve to make driving in traffic easier ( GTR reference ) but, it'll NEVER and I mean NEVER be able to give you the thrill of a true manual and 3 pedals !

[@UsErNaMe5858588]

V12 Vantage is the best looking Aston Martin and the best looking car ever for me. DB9, Vanquish, etc .. are all okay. They look overdone for me for some reason. ( im only talking about looks). This is as compact as a pack of cards.. Pure aesthetic beauty

[@Fussinated]

2> "This Aston is a quality product and is aimed at people who want a stylish GT car" This is a car with an ugly dash, dismal performance, flimsy construction and overpriced with whatever price tag it may have. >3