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Aston Martin Vanquish: Third generation's a charm

Aston Martin Vanquish [All images courtesy of Aston Martin]

 

 

If the vibe of your ultimate ride is an updated two-door James Bond-ish affair, look no further than the third-generation Aston Martin Vanquish, which sports an 823-hp twin-turbo V12 engine that produces 1,000 Nm of torque, simply smashing design, and class for miles and miles. Alas, though, a la 2002's "Die Another Day," there's no invisibility cloak available on this Vanquish. Well, none that we know of.

Vanquish sits at the pinnacle of Aston Martin's fabled front-engine sports car range. Highlights besides the world-class V12 include a bespoke chassis bristling with state-of-the-art dynamics tech, carbon fiber bodywork, a full-length panoramic glass roof (a first for an Aston Martin V12), and an interior that sets new standards of modern luxury. With production limited to under 1,000 examples a year, this icon will continue to reign in ultra-luxury exclusivity. Vanquish features 21-in. forged alloy wheels and bespoke Pirelli P ZERO tires as standard.

Vanquish achieves a new benchmark for British supercar performance with immense in-gear acceleration and a top speed of 214 mph -- the highest top speed of an Aston Martin series production car to date. Only by refining every stage of the internal combustion process has this unprecedented performance and efficiency been achieved, while ensuring this impressive V12 meets the latest emissions legislation across global markets. Vanquish's power and torque outputs have almost doubled since the introduction of the first Project Vantage concept back in 1998. The car will do 0 to 62 mph in 3.3 sec.

This new flagship model delivers a unique combination of character and capability that fuses the effortless mile-eating comfort of a continent-crushing GT with the precision and immersive, entertaining driving experience of a supercar.

Hardware highlights of the new V12 engine include a strengthened cylinder block and conrods, redesigned cylinder heads incorporating reprofiled camshafts, plus new intake and exhaust ports. Repositioned spark plugs and new higher flowrate fuel injectors deliver optimized combustion for class-leading performance and efficiency gains. In addition, new higher speed, reduced inertia turbochargers deliver increased performance and throttle response.

This latest generation Vanquish also gets a new Boost Reserve function, which increases turbo boost pressure above what would normally be required for any given part throttle position, so it is ready to go when full power is needed. This is done during partial throttle demands, imperceptibly to the driver, by balancing the throttle flap position (to restrict the intake flow), and the intelligent wastegate in the turbo (to fine-tune the increased intake pressure) to match what the driver expects. When the driver demands full power/ torque, the throttle releases the accumulated boost pressure for immediate response.

Additional performance gains have been found with the help of Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team technical partner, Valvoline, who have supplied the latest high-performance engine oil for Vanquish. Flowing through a larger engine oil cooler with 50% more heat rejection capability, the fully synthetic engine lubricant is kept at its optimal operating temperature, helping to maintain optimum engine oil pressure in all situations.

Also for the first time on an Aston Martin front-engine V12 sports car, the ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox is paired with an electronic rear limited slip differential (e-diff). This e-diff is integrated into the electronic stability program (ESP), providing a direct link to the car's dynamic behavior and allowing wheel slip to be managed across the rear axle to optimize traction in all conditions. Unlike a conventional mechanical limited slip differential, this e-diff can transition from fully open to 100% locked in 135 milliseconds.

Like its acclaimed stablemates, DB12 and Vantage, Vanquish is built around a bonded aluminum body structure with double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. Enhanced to deliver more focused and engaging dynamics, additional underbody stiffening components provide a 75% increase in lateral stiffness over Aston Martin's previous flagship, the DBS 770 Ultimate.

The new Vanquish also has a wheelbase that is 80 mm longer than its predecessor (the increase made between the A-pillar and front axle). Overall, it is 192.5 in. long and 83.5 in. wide -- a pretty big two seater coupe! The chassis has received a stiffer engine cross brace to provide greater torsional rigidity and lateral stiffness between the front suspension towers. This translates into improved mounting stiffness for the Bilstein DTX dampers; new to Vanquish and with a bespoke calibration, enabling more efficient damping performance and enhanced refinement.

The latest Bilstein DTX damper technology -- first seen on the DB12 -- has been introduced to this V12 flagship model, allowing a significant divergence between the drive modes. This broader range of damper force allows the damper a greater range of refinement and control across the drive mode settings.

Vanquish features a carbon ceramic brake system as standard. Comprising 410-mm discs on the front axle and 360-mm on the rear, the CCB system offers increased braking performance, reduced brake fade at temperatures up to 800 C, and a significant reduction in unsprung weight. Brake cooling is achieved via dedicated cooling ducts, which are fed air from an intake in the front bumper that is sent directly to the brakes.

The new model-based ABS system employs four new controllers to manage Integrated Brake Slip Control (IBC), Integrated Traction Control (ITC), Integrated Vehicle Control (IVC), and Integrated Vehicle Dynamics Estimation (IVE). Together, they form a single integrated vehicle dynamics control system. Also, Vanquish is the first of the next-gen sports cars to benefit from Corner Braking 2.0. By forging a stronger link between the Integrated Brake Slip Control and the Integrated Vehicle Control modules, the Corner braking 2.0 system is a predictive optimizer, allowing the car to maintain stability while trail braking into a corner.

One of the most iconic design features of any Aston Martin is the distinctive side strake. On Vanquish, this unique signature sits purposefully inside a sculpted infill panel. As standard, the side strake is finished in bright chrome standing out from the gloss black side infill panel, but this can be customized as part of the optional exterior upper packs. Like Aston Martins of the past, Vanquish is adorned with a red V12 motif; a subtle detail with evocative historic significance.

Another instantly recognizable Aston Martin feature is the flush-fit door handles, which now electronically deploy toward the hand with a simple press or when the vehicle is opened via the remote key.

The drama of Vanquish's design reaches its crescendo at the rear thanks to its broad, powerful haunches and abrupt Kamm Tail with integrated decklid spoiler to provide aerodynamic balance front to rear. Completing the rear-end treatment is the full-width diffuser, which manages low-pressure airflow beneath the car for improved high-speed stability.

Inside, it is all about craftmanship. Designed purposefully as a two-seat flagship, Vanquish's interior is focused on delivering enjoyment to the driver and sharing the visceral experience with just one other. Everything is about the bespoke interior materials and layout. The center console has been lowered into a horizontal plane for a greater feeling of clarity, space, and luxury.

The interior utilizes a blend of materials (highly customizable) to create sections with bold visible lines to boost the feeling of luxury and quality. Regardless of jewelery pack specification, a subtle bright chrome horizon line replaces a traditional stitch line across the dashboard.

In an era of technology where touchscreens can dominate the interior, Vanquish continues to blend technology with tactile surfaces that retain the feeling of luxury and are intuitive to use while driving. All key driver controls are centrally mounted, keeping the frequently used functions within easy reach. The fully digital 10.25-in. TFT driver display has been designed to deliver information with maximum clarity and offers custom display configurations. Similarly, the 10.25-in. Pure Black touchscreen system has full online connectivity.

Vanquish is the fourth model to feature Aston Martin's next-gen infotainment, an entirely bespoke system developed in-house from scratch, following its first introduction on DB12, Vantage, and DBX707. It is equipped with the very best audio system from Aston Martin audio partners Bowers & Wilkins as standard, featuring a 15-speaker, double amplified surround sound system.

This car is pretty glorious, but what will it cost you? Vanquish will run ‎$430,000. First deliveries begin by the end of this year.

Learn more at astonmartin.com/en-us/models/vanquish.

Source: Aston Martin

Published October 2024

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