Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster review : Palm Springs, USA

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster has to be one of the most gorgeous drop tops in the world. It’s truly amazing that they’ve managed to shoehorn a 5.9-litre V12 into such a small car, there’s literally no room to spare under the bonnet.

It pumps out 421 kilowatts and 620Nm to the rear wheels. What does that mean? It’s goes like stink!

There’s 510Nm on tap from just 1000 revs, so when you punch it, you’ll be heading towards the horizon at an epic pace.

The 7-speed automated manual is rubbish around town, but out here with the V12 on song, wind whipping through your hair, it’s befitting for such a monster. You can smash through the gears like you’re driving a Zagato endurance racer.

As you’d expect with a hard-core Aston Martin, the driving position is spot on. You sit low and close to the rear wheels, with that big bonnet extending out in front of you.

The feedback through the seat and the wheel inspires so much of confidence in this car’s abilities, and the carbon ceramic brakes wash off big speeds without fear of fade. The whole car feels utterly planted, no matter what sort of road your on, with a surprisingly smooth ride.

And it’s got one of the greatest engine notes in the world, best enjoyed with the roof down.

Despite the Vantage approaching its tenth birthday, the V12 S Roadster certainly doesn’t lack for luxury. Supremely comfortable sports seats with the softest leather, beautiful switchgear and the signature crystal key in the middle of it all make this a very special place to be.

Our car had too many options to list, but the highlights are the amazing Bang and Olufsen audio system and these perfectly weighted carbon fibre paddles. Just these two add $20,000 to the price, but if you’re spending near half a million on an Aston it matters little.

There’s no mistaking this as the V12 either. The four vents on the bonnet are far from aesthetic, the heat haze at idle can attest to that.

Carbon skirts and fins, and these lightweight wheels are further proof that this isn’t simply a boulevard cruiser; it’s a desert bruiser.

There are faster and more agile cars for the money, but none can deliver such a stunning classy package as an Aston Martin.

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