Just when you thought the car market was in the doldrums; just when you thought that the future held nothing but sport utility vehicles, along comes Aston Martin to light the road ahead. Justifiably famous for producing prestige sports cars, the British brand have announced a new version of their Vanquish model and it is superb.
A technical masterpiece befitting the name, the Aston Martin Vanquish sits at the pinnacle of the company’s legendary front-engined sports car range. Showcasing exceptional in-house engineering technology, this new legend extends the thoroughbred bloodline in magnificent style.
Highlights of this astonishing car include a world-class V12 engine of huge potency, a bespoke chassis bristling with state-of-the-art technology, exquisite carbon fibre bodywork and a premium interior which sets new standards of modern automotive luxury.
Exterior Design
With an all-new ‘teardrop’ exterior design, the Vanquish expresses contemporary elegance through its broad stance and fluid curves. The key to achieving such compelling presence is an increased wheelbase; the distance between the A Pillar and the front axle being extended by +80mm to lengthen the bonnet for a rakish and powerful look.
Years of motor sport have allowed a sporting DNA to define some of the Vanquish’s features; the sculpted bonnet, with Formula 1 inspired louvres to help cool the V12 engine, plus the distinctive ‘Kamm Tail’ which serves to reduce speed-sapping drag. The seamless incorporation of these and other details demonstrates an instinctive mastery of design form and technical function we would expect from this luxury car company.
The Vanquish receives an all-new front bumper, (fender) and grille design, delivering a more assertive design character and greater road presence. The traditional vane grille is standardised and the aperture enlarged, offering an increase in surface area to aid cooling for the engine. New outer bumper vents channel air around the nose, channelling cool air into the front wheel arches to assist with brake cooling.
Matrix LED headlights introduce the brand’s new light signature with integrated ‘Daytime Running’ Lights. Intricate details have been applied to the lights, including the Aston Martin word-mark etched on the headlamp internals.
One of the most dramatic elements of the overall design is the panoramic glass roof. A first for an Aston Martin V12, Vanquish is fitted with this spectacular feature as standard. Tinted to allow 6% light transmission and using a ‘low-e coating’ to protect occupants from harmful UV-A and B rays, the need for a traditional blind is negated to ensure the sense of space and speed can be enjoyed at all times.
One of the most iconic design features of any Aston Martin is the distinctive side strake. On the Vanquish this unique feature 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 customised as part of the optional exterior upper packs. Like Aston Martins of the past, Vanquish is adorned with a red ‘V12’ motif; a subtle but desirable detail.
Another instantly recognisable Aston Martin feature are the flush-fit door handles, which now electronically deploy towards the hand with a simple press or when the vehicle is opened via the remote key. Frameless door mirrors introduce a smaller, sleeker design to improve the aerodynamic profile of Vanquish while also maximising the surface area of the reflective surface for optimal rearward visibility. Completing the rear-end treatment is the full-width diffuser, which manages low-pressure airflow beneath the car for improved high-speed stability. A newly developed stainless steel exhaust system offers a quad tailpipe layout. These result in an enhanced range of frequencies and resonant behaviour that continues the Vanquish tradition of emitting a fabulous V12 howl.
Vanquish is built around a bonded aluminium 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 massive increase in lateral stiffness. In fact, there’s a wide range of structural improvements throughout the underbody.
The Luxury Interior
Craftsmanship and precision is a core theme running through the Vanquish bespoke interior. Designed purposefully as a 2 seat flagship, the sports car’s interior is focused on delivering enjoyment to the driver, sharing the visceral experience with just one fortunate other. The centre console has been lowered into a horizontal plane for a greater feeling of clarity, space and luxury.
Vanquish interior also utilises a blend of materials to create sections with bold visible lines to boost the feeling of luxury and quality. Regardless of optional 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. To this end, all key driver controls are centrally mounted, keeping the frequently used functions within easy reach reinforcing the simplicity of a driver-focused interior.
Meanwhile the fully digital 10.25 inch TFT driver display has been designed to deliver information with maximum clarity and offers custom display configurations. Similarly, the 10.25 inch ‘Pure Black’ touchscreen system with full online connectivity, integrated with the repositioned centre console, features technology with full capacitive single and multi-finger gesture control.
The screen provides user control for all infotainment, climate and general vehicle settings. Physical switches and buttons are retained for the key mechanical operations of gear selection, drive selection, heating and ventilation. There are also override switches for Chassis, ESP and Exhaust, ‘Lane Assist’ and ‘Park Distance Control’, ensuring the most used controls can be operated intuitively and without the need to take your eyes off the road. The illuminated glass engine start/stop button sits centrally within the centre console providing an engaging start procedure that has become iconic to Aston Martin.
Surrounding the illuminated button is a tactile, machined metal rotary dial to select the desired drive mode. The automatic gearbox is controlled using a new central lever to select Drive, Neutral and Reverse. A separate Manual button allows an override of the automatic function for a more involving driving experience through the steering wheel-mounted paddles. By changing the drive mode or using the dedicated exhaust button, the exhaust character can be changed from a relaxed, refined V12 tone in GT mode to an increasingly full-blooded, bold and assertive sound character when Sport and Sport+ modes are selected; and why not?
The car features Aston Martin’s next-generation infotainment, an entirely bespoke system developed in-house from scratch, supplemented by a new Aston Martin mobile phone app which supports Apple iOS and Android devices, it allows interaction, control and feedback to and from the customer’s Vanquish via their personal device. The navigation system features online connectivity for a smarter, quicker and more informative experience. Online connectivity will assist the ownership experience through increased ease of use, peace of mind and opportunity to update and upgrade vehicle features from the comfort and safety of their mobile phone.
When purchasing their new Vanquish, owners are invited to enrol in the new Aston Martin mobile app and create their own unique AML ID. Available on Apple iOS and Android, the app offers a range of connected car subscription packages that are free for the first 3-years and designed to maximise the Aston Martin ownership experience.
As would be expected, driver and passenger comfort is paramount in a car designed to effortlessly cross continents. Equipped with the ‘Sports Plus Seat’ as standard and available with the carbon fibre ‘Performance Seat’ as an option, Vanquish features a low seating position creating a sporting feel and the perfect position for dynamic driving. The low centre console and scalloped door panels optimise space around the upper body ensuring the driver’s arms are not hindered during dynamic driving or manoeuvring. Needless to say, customers can explore endless bespoke and customisation possibilities. It is only fitting that the Vanquish is equipped with the very best 15 speaker audio system from Bowers & Wilkins, as standard.
All That Power
Their most powerful engine yet, with a class leading 824bhp (835PS) and an incredible 1000Nm of torque, the new V12 engine is unmatched. So much so that in fact, this engine delivers the highest specific power output ever from an Aston Martin V12 engine. To make this latest generation Twin-Turbo V12 the most responsive ever offered, as well as the most powerful, Vanquish gains a new Boost Reserve function. This new technology allows for even more reactive power delivery, particularly beneficial for overtaking manoeuvres as well as dynamic driving.
For the first time on an Aston Martin front-engined V12 sports car, the renowned ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox is paired with an electronic rear limited slip differential. This e-diff is integrated into the electronic stability programme (ESP), providing a direct link to the car’s dynamic behaviour and allowing wheel slip to be managed across the rear axle to optimise traction in all conditions. This could really be the drive of your life, made special because this car is an Aston Martin.
MHH International & Aston Martin
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