Aston Martin Vanquish

V12 Vanquish (2001–2005)

Aston Martin Vanquish (US)

The Aston Martin V12 Vanquish was designed by Ian Callum and bore a large resemblance to the production DB7 Vantage. However, the car had a strong influence from the Project Vantage Concept prototype which debuted with a V12 engine at the North American International Auto Show in January 1998. Underneath, the car featured a strong aluminium/carbon fibre composite chassis with a 5,935 cc (5.9 L; 362.2 cu in). It was available in 2+0 and 2+2 seating configurations.

The naturally aspirated 60° V12 DOHC 4 valves per cylinder with a bore x stroke of 89 mm × 79.5 mm (3.50 in × 3.13 in) produces 460 bhp (343 kW; 466 PS) @ 6,500 rpm and 400 lb⋅ft (542 N⋅m) @ 5,000 rpm of torque.^[3] It is controlled by a drive-by-wire throttle and a 6-speed Electrohydraulic manual transmission. The standard Vanquish model had 355 mm (14.0 inches) drilled and ventilated disc brakes with four-pot calipers, ABS, with electronic brake distribution.

Its appearance in the 2002 James Bond film Die Another Day^[4] earned the V12 Vanquish the number three spot on the list of Best Film Cars Ever,^[5] behind the Minis from The Italian Job, and DB5 from Goldfinger and Thunderball. The car also appears in the video games Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2, James Bond 007: Nightfire, and James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing.

The Vanquish was the basis of two concept cars, both shown at the International Geneva Motor Show in 2004, the Zagato Roadster (a 2-seat, open-top roadster) and the Bertone Jet 2 (a 2-door shooting brake).^[6][7]

Vanquish S (2004–2007)

Aston Martin Vanquish S

Aston Martin Vanquish S

The Aston Martin Vanquish S debuted at the 2004 Paris Auto Show, with increased power and slight styling revisions. The engine displacement remained at 5,935 cc (5.9 L; 362.2 cu in), but power increased from 460 to 520 bhp (340 to 390 kW). Visual changes included new wheels, a slightly different nose shape, a new raised bootlid with a larger integrated spoiler incorporating the third high level brake light (in the rear window on the original Vanquish), a Vanquish S badge on the bootlid (the original Vanquish had no rear model designation) and the addition of a small front splitter (although this was mainly done for aerodynamic reasons). As part of its improvements, the Vanquish S featured a slightly improved coefficient of drag of 0.32 (from 0.33 of the Vanquish), with help from a redesigned splitter and boot lid. Its front and rear track were 1,524 mm (60.0 inches) and 1,529 mm (60.2 inches), respectively.

It also incorporated the features of a 2004 option package, the Sports Dynamic Pack, which incorporated sportier suspension, steering, and brake features. This model was sold for the 2005 (alongside the base Vanquish) and 2006 (as a stand-alone) model years in the United States with only minor running changes; it was not sold in the United States for 2007 model year. The Vanquish S featured larger brakes than the V12 Vanquish; 378 mm (14.9 in) front discs with six-pot callipers and 330 mm (13.0 inches) rear discs with four-pot callipers.

The end of the Vanquish's production run was celebrated with the Vanquish S Ultimate Edition. Aston Martin announced that the last 50 cars built would have a new 'Ultimate Black' exterior colour, upgraded interior, and personalised sill plaques.

With a top speed exceeding 200 mph (322 km/h), the Vanquish S was (as measured by top speed capability) the fastest Aston Martin ever until the One-77 was introduced in 2008.

The production of the Vanquish ended on 19 July 2007, coinciding with the closing of the company's Newport Pagnell factory after 49 years of operation. Production totalled to 1,086 units.

Project AM310 Concept (2012)

The second generation of the Vanquish started life as the Project AM310 Concept that was unveiled at the 2012 Concorso D'Eleganza at Villa D'Este on the shores of Lake Como, Italy. The concept car was based on the fourth generation VH platform. It included a tweaked version of Aston Martin's familiar grille and headlight design and a more pronounced bulge in the bonnet – with the real One-77-inspired flourishes saved for the sides and the rear, the side vents run almost to the door handles (from One-77), new rear light design from One-77, and a 5.9-litre V12 engine that produced 550 PS (405 kW; 542 bhp).^[9] Aston Martin later announced that the concept would be put into production as the all new Aston Martin Vanquish.^[10][11][12]

Vanquish (2012–2018)

Aston Martin Vanquish

The exterior styling of the Vanquish is an evolution of the DBS with many styling cues such as the elongated side strakes being inspired by the Aston Martin One-77. The boot lid included an integrated rear spoiler designed to look as if it is impossible to make; this was done on the orders of Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr. Ulrich Bez. The car has an exposed carbon fibre side skirt showing its all carbon fibre body. The Vanquish uses the new VH Generation IV platform which is lighter and uses more carbon fibre components than the VH Generation II platform used in the DBS.^[13]

The car featured an all new interior based on the one found in the exclusive One-77. The standard interior was trimmed in hand stitched leather and alcantara and was available in a range of colours. The centre console features an revised infotainment system over the one found in the DBS.^[14] The car was available as either a 2-seater or 2+2.^[15]

The Vanquish used an upgraded version of Aston Martin's flagship 5.9-litre AM11 V12 engine called the AM28 with a power output of 565 bhp (421 kW; 573 PS) at 6,750 rpm and torque of 620 N⋅m (457 lb⋅ft) at 5,500 rpm. The Vanquish can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.1 seconds, and has a top speed of 295 km/h (183 mph). Like most Aston Martins, the engine is front mid-mounted for better weight distribution, with the power going to the rear wheels. The Vanquish has 51/49 front/rear weight distribution, and a kerb weight of 1,739 kg (3,834 lb). It uses a fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valves. The Vanquish uses an updated Touchtronic II six-speed automatic gearbox. It was the first Aston Martin model to be available with launch control.^[15] The combined space of cabin and a boot that, at 368 litres, is more than 60% larger than that of the DBS.^[16]

The brakes are ventilated carbon ceramic discs, 398 mm (15.7 in) six-piston callipers in the front and 360 mm (14.2 in) four-piston callipers in the rear. The suspension is a lightweight aluminium front subframe with hollow castings with independent double wishbones incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar, and monotube adaptive dampers in the front and independent double wishbones with anti-squat and anti-lift geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar, and monotube adaptive dampers in the rear. It has a three-stage adjustable adaptive damping system including normal, sport and track modes. The tires are Pirelli P Zeros, 255/ZR20 in the front and 305/30 ZR20 in the rear.^[17]

The vehicle was unveiled in the London Film Museum, Covent Garden,^[18] followed by 2012 Monterey Car Week.^[19] Deliveries to UK and Continental Europe began in late 2012.^[20]

In August 2014, Aston Martin revealed technical modifications to the Vanquish. The changes include a new eight-speed Touchtronic III gearbox and upgraded AM29 V12 engine that produces 568 bhp (424 kW; 576 PS) and torque of 465 lb⋅ft (630 N⋅m). The changes greatly enhanced performance, with an acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.6 seconds, and a top speed of 324 km/h (201 mph).

Vanquish Volante (2013–2018)

Aston Martin Vanquish Volante

In 2013, Aston Martin unveiled a convertible version of the Vanquish, called Volante. The Volante includes a full carbon fibre body, triple-skin lightweight fabric roof, 50% larger boot than its predecessor and the third generation Brembo 398 mm × 36 mm front and 360 mm × 32 mm CCM rear Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) brake discs with six-piston front and four-piston rear brake callipers (from the One-77). The Vanquish Volante is 13% torsionally stiffer than the outgoing DBS Volante. The carbon fibre-skin of the Vanquish Volante was created by the engineering team at Aston Martin.

Interior

The vehicle was unveiled at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.^[21] Deliveries to Europe began in late 2013,^[22] with deliveries to the US starting in early 2014.^[23]

Vanquish S (2017–2018)

On 16 November 2016, Aston Martin announced the new Vanquish S model. The Vanquish S features the same AM29 V12 engine, with power now increased to 595 bhp (444 kW; 603 PS), and a new aerodynamic package. The Vanquish S can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.5 seconds, and the top speed remains unchanged at 201 mph (324 km/h). Suggested MSRP was GB£199,950 in the UK, €262,950 in Germany and US$312,950 in the US, and the car's deliveries started in December 2016.^[24] Aston Martin also unveiled a convertible version of the Vanquish S called the Vanquish S Volante in 2017. The Vanquish S Volante is priced at GB£211,950 in the UK.^[25]

Technical specifications

Special editions

Centenary Edition Vanquish (2013)

The Centenary Edition is a limted edition of the Vanquish limited to 100 units commemorating 100 years of the Aston Martin company, unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.^[26] Changes include unique graduated paint finish, solid sterling silver Aston Martin wing badges with tailored 'trans flux' enamel inlay, a special Aston Martin hallmark, leather interior upholstery from Aston Martin One-77 with contrasting silver stitching, a silver thread embroidery of the Aston Martin wings in the head restraints, solid sterling silver sill plaques individually numbered with an Aston Martin hallmark, a unique presentation box containing a number of exclusive gifts to mark the first 100 years of the company (two glass keys, two bespoke key pouches made from leather matching the car's interior trim, solid silver cufflinks featuring the Aston Martin script, solid silver Rollerball pen, Bang & Olufsen headphones and a silver polishing cloth).^[27][28]

Neiman Marcus Edition Vanquish Volante (2013)

The Neiman Marcus edition is a limited edition of the Vanquish limited to 10 cars named after the US department store Neiman Marcus. Based on the US market Vanquish Volante, the bespoke features of the car are designed by the company's bespoke customisation arm; Q by Aston Martin. The design was inspired by the 1969 DB6 Volante owned by HRH Prince of Wales. The vehicle was unveiled at the 2013 Pebble Beach Automotive Week, followed by 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show^[29] with delivery scheduled for early 2014.^[30]

Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato (2017)

Aston Martin announced a limited series production of the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato; the latest creation from its long-standing partnership with the prestigious Italian design-house Zagato. The Vanquish Zagato Concept was unveiled to great acclaim at the prestigious Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este at Lake Como, Italy in May 2016. The Vanquish Zagato is available in 4 variants - coupe, convertible, speedster, and shooting brake body styles. The Vanquish Zagato features the same AM29 V12 from the Vanquish S, which produces 595 bhp (444 kW; 603 PS) and 630 N⋅m (465 lb⋅ft) of torque, allowing the Vanquish Zagato to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.5 seconds before reaching a top speed of 201 mph (324 km/h).^[31]

Marketing

As part of Aston Martin's 100th anniversary celebration, a Vanquish was airlifted onto the helipad of the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 17 January 2013.^[32][33]