cars news 10: Watch the 2017 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Stretch its Legs on Track

In an era when more and more automakers are putting the manual transmission out to pasture, it was an immense relief to hear that Aston Martin was adding a new stick-shift option to its V12 Vantage S. Not only would the beautiful twelve-cylinder coupe get a manual gearbox, but it would be a new dog-leg seven-speed unit, catering to persnickety enthusiasts who want to pretend they’re in an old-school racing car. But while seeing photos of the car was good, getting to watch the car in action is even better.

This new video from Aston Martin shows the two sides of the V12 Vantage S. At first, it’s an engaging back-roads sports car, filling the British countryside with the roars and crackles of a 6.0-liter powerplant that puts out 565 hp and 457 lb-ft. But then our anonymous driver dons a helmet and racing gloves, before putting the car through its paces on the track.

The seven-speed manual will be a no-cost option for V12 Vantage S buyers, and it even comes with Aston’s first-ever automatic rev-match feature. Called AMSHIFT, the system can be disabled for drivers who prefer to blip the throttle themselves; companies like BMW, Chevrolet, and Porsche offer similar technology on their high-performance manual cars, too.

Our only frustration with this video is that there’s a pop soundtrack playing atop the footage of the British backroad bomber. You wouldn’t play Katy Perry songs at the opera, so why muffle the glorious bellowing of Aston’s V-12 engine?

Regardless, watch and listen to the Aston Martin V12 Vantage S in the clip below.

Source: Aston Martin