Seven reasons why a manual Aston Martin V12 is good news

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage S is getting a manual transmission option.

It’s something that appears a bit of an about-turn: the original V12 Vantage, launched back in 2009, came only with a six-speed manual option. Its replacement, 2013’s V12 Vantage S, had only a seven-speed automatic on its spec sheet.

So offering the V12 S with a stick-shift three years later, as a no-cost option, appears something of a U-turn. But we’re not going to chastise Aston for it; we need to celebrate those carmakers keeping faith in (or returning to) manual gearboxes. Here are seven reasons why the manual Vantage S ought to be a belter.

And who knows, maybe the tide is starting to turn a little against paddleshifting supercars…

Aston has followed the lead of the Porsche 911 and given its manual gearbox as many ratios as its automatic.

By opting for seven speeds, Aston has been able to keep the same gear ratios as the paddleshifter. That means its scintillating performance - a 3.9-second 0-62mph time and 205mph top speed - remain intact, and in turn, so do your pub-bragging rights.

If you’re worried all those gears will make shifting a muddled affair, then Aston has done something Porsche hasn’t: there's a dog-leg first gear. That doesn’t mean it’s fluffy and inclined to cock in the air when it approaches a lamp post. Rather, first gear is to the left and down, meaning second to seventh gears are in the traditional H-pattern. The one that is so natural to navigate.

So no slotting into seventh when you want fifth in a hurry, basically. Many of history’s great cars - E30 BMW M3, Ferrari Testarossa, Lancia Stratos - have used a dog-leg layout. Names you can easily throw into that pub conversation for extra kudos.

Aston has fitted its new manual gearbox with something called ‘AMSHIFT’. Ignore the clunky use of capitals, for this is a nice bit of tech.

One of its highlights is that it facilitates flat-throttle upshifts, which is highly unusual in a traditional, three-pedal road car. It means that when you do stumble across a place to (legally) drag-race a car, you won’t be suffering stuttering interuptions between your upshifts.

Just like that 911, the Aston’s manual gearbox will also blip your downchanges for you, flaring the revs as you shift down the ratios into a corner. Why is this important? It ensures the car is better balanced and less likely to break traction, making it better to drive. Oh, and shoeing the revs of a naturally aspirated V12 engine is only ever going to sound ace, too.

And if you’re finely trained in the art of heel-and-toeing a car yourself, then worry not: the system can be turned off, too.

Beyond the method of gear shifting, manual and paddleshift V12 Vantage Ss are identical.

That means a naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 engine - so no turbos, and a sky-high rev limit - with 565bhp and 457lb ft. Its stainless steel exhaust system can also by amplified via a Sports mode, which is good news for ears everywhere.

The V12 Vantage S is delightfully old school in its setup, don't forget, being a front-engined, rear-driven two-seat sports car in the best tradition.

Much of the focus may be on the Aston Martin DB11, but the Vantage range is getting some love, too. There are a whole host of new options packs, while a fresh infotainment setup brings with it a better sat nav system and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

There’s a pricier starting point, mind, with the regular V8 Vantage models usurped by their more powerful V8 Vantage S siblings. But those still come in coupe and roadster versions, both with manual and paddleshift options. They start at £92,795 (with 430bhp), while the V12 Vantage S (and its 565bhp) kicks off at £140,000.

We hoped the manual gearbox had a future in Astons when James Bond was heeling-and-toeing his way through the Spectre car chase. Especially as his Aston Martin DB10 gives us our best inkling of how the next Vantage will appear.

And the words of Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer have strengthened our optimisim. “Broadening the scope of the V12 Vantage S with a manual transmission option is an indication of our desire to offer the keenest drivers a more analogue and immersive machine to enjoy,” he says.

“I'd like to take this opportunity to reiterate that the manual gearbox remains an integral part of our product plans and will do for many years to come."

A manual as standard in the next generation of Vantage, then? We’re putting a few quid on it…