Aston Martin Vanquish

Rear 3/4 view

The Aston Martin V12 Vanquish was styled by Ian Callum and drew inspiration from the DB-4 Zagato - projecting a more aggressive presence than Callum's DB7 Vantage. The production car closely resembled the Project Vantage Concept' which debuted with a V12 engine at the North American International Auto Show in January 1998. Underneath, the car featured a very strong carbon fibre/aluminium composite chassis, an advanced independent suspension, and a tuned 5,935 cc (5.9 L; 362.2 cu in) V12 engine. It was available in 2+0 and 2+2 seating configurations and came only in a coupé body style. The V12 Vanquish was the fastest production, Aston Martin, in terms of top speed ever produced up to that time (V-600 and LeMans versions of the earlier Vantage had engines modified by Works Service after production and delivery) and the model remained the most powerful Aston Martin in the range throughout its life.

The naturally aspirated 60° DOHC 4 valves per cylinder V12 engine with a bore x stroke of 89 mm × 79.5 mm (3.50 in × 3.13 in) has a power output of 466 PS (343 kW; 460 hp) at 6,500 rpm and 400 lb⋅ft (542 N⋅m) of torque at 5,000 rpm.[3] It is controlled by a drive-by-wire throttle and driven by a 6-speed automated manual transmission. The Vanquish model debuted with 355 mm (14.0 inches) drilled and ventilated disc brakes with four-pot calipers, ABS, with electronic brake distribution. The interior featured full instrumentation, advanced electronics, and rich leathers with metallic details - the latter an intentional move away from the wood trim seen in the DB-7.

The first-generation V12 Vanquish was generally very well received by the motoring press receiving near-universal praise for its powertrain, chassis, advanced engineering, and design. Described as "The ultimate Grand Tourer" by Road & Track magazine [4], the V12 Vanquish and V12 Vanquish S represented Aston's entry into the top tier GT market - a "no excuses" technological wonder meant to show that Aston Martin was back at the top of its game. With a top speed over 190 mph and 0-60 times in the mid-4s there was no question about capability, and after experiencing it in action Car & Driver described it as "...worthy of the marque's heritage and a serious alternative to the top Ferrari." [5]

The V12 Vanquish series would become the last all-new model to be made in Aston Martin's Newport Pagnell facility. While the traditional craft techniques had evolved somewhat from those used to make the previous generation of cars, primarily in the panel shaping, there was still a great deal of handwork in assembly and finishing - and each car was very time-consuming to create. As such, the Vanquish represents both the end of an era as the last new Newport Pagnell model - and the beginning of another with its forward-looking engineering and performance.

The V12 Vanquish featured in Die Another Day (with the number plate KE02 EWW)

Its appearance in the 2002 James Bond film Die Another Day[6] earned the V12 Vanquish the number three spot on the list of Best Film Cars Ever,[7] behind the Minis from The Italian Job, and DB5 from Goldfinger and Thunderball. The car also appears in the video games namely Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2, James Bond 007: Nightfire, and James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing. The V12 Vanquish was recognized - along with the DB-4 Zagato - as one of the ten most beautiful cars of all time [8].

The V12 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).[9][10]

Aston Martin Vanquish S

The Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S debuted at the 2004 Paris Motor Show, with increased engine power output and slight styling revisions. The engine displacement remained at 5,935 cc (5.9 L; 362.2 cu in), but power increased from 466–527 PS (343–388 kW; 460–520 hp). Visual changes included new wheels, a slightly different nose shape, a new raised boot lid 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 boot lid (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 had a slightly improved drag coefficient of Cd=0.32 (from Cd=0.33 of the Vanquish), with help from a redesigned splitter and boot lid. Its front and rear track measured 1,524 mm (60.0 in) and 1,529 mm (60.2 in), respectively.

The car also incorporated the features of an optional Sports Dynamic Package (available for the Vanquish for the 2004 model year), which incorporated stiffer but sportier suspension, steering, and brakes. This model was sold for 2005 (alongside the base Vanquish) and 2006 (as a stand-alone) model years in the United States with only minor changes; it was not sold in the United States for the 2007 model year. The Vanquish S has larger brakes than the V12 Vanquish; 378 mm (14.9 in) front discs with six-piston calipers and 330 mm (13.0 in) rear discs with four-piston calipers.

With a top speed exceeding 322 km/h (200 mph), the V12 Vanquish S succeeded the previous V12 Vanquish as measured by top speed capability as the fastest production Aston Martin automobile ever - exceeding even the Works Service modified Vantage V-600 and LeMans models - and only with the introduction of the One-77 in 2008 would Aston Martin build a road car that could top that figure.

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.

The production of the V12 Vanquish ended on 19 July 2007, coinciding with the closing of the company's Newport Pagnell factory after 49 years of operation. Despite the high enthusiasm for the Vanquish, the hand made nature of their construction limited production to levels commensurate with earlier Newport Pagnell cars.

The second-generation "Vanquish" (the "V12" part of the name was dropped for this generation of cars) started life as the Project AM310 Concept and was unveiled at the 2012 Concorso d'Eleganza at Villa d'Este held on the shores of Lake Como, Italy. The concept car was based on the fourth generation of the 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 One-77-inspired flourishes saved for the sides and the rear, the side vents run almost to the door handles (shared with the One-77), new rear light design shared with the One-77, and a 5.9-litre V12 engine that has a power output of 550 PS (405 kW; 542 hp).[14] Aston Martin later announced that the concept would be put into production as the all-new Vanquish.[15][16][17]

Rear 3/4 view

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 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 the then 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.[18]

The car featured a new interior with details inspired by the one found in the exclusive One-77. The standard interior was upholstered in hand stitched leather and Alcantara and was available in a range of colours. The centre console has an revised infotainment system as opposed to the one found in the DBS.[19] The car was available as either a 2-seater or 2+2.[20]

The Vanquish used an upgraded version of Aston Martin's 5.9-litre AM11 V12 engine called the AM28 with a power output of 573 PS (421 kW; 565 hp) 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 many modern Aston Martin automobiles, the engine is front-mounted with the transmission in the rear for better weight distribution. 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 car uses an updated Touchtronic II six-speed automatic gearbox. It was the first Aston Martin model to be available with launch control.[20] The combined space of cabin and a boot that, at 368 litres, is more than 60% larger than that of the DBS.

The braking system uses 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.[21]

The Vanquish was unveiled in the London Film Museum, Covent Garden,[22] followed by the 2012 Monterey Car Week.[23] Deliveries to UK and Continental Europe began in late 2012.[24]

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 has a power output of 576 PS (424 kW; 568 hp) 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) being achieved in 3.6 seconds, and a top speed of 324 km/h (201 mph).

Aston Martin Vanquish Volante

In 2013, Aston Martin unveiled a convertible variant of the Vanquish, called Volante. The Volante has 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 (rear) Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) brake discs with six-piston front and four-piston rear brake callipers. The Vanquish Volante is 13% torsionally stiffer than the outgoing DBS Volante.

Interior

The Volante was unveiled at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.[25] Deliveries to Europe began in late 2013,[26] with deliveries to the US starting in early 2014.[27]

On 16 November 2016, Aston Martin announced the new Vanquish S model. The Vanquish S features the AM29 V12 engine, with power increased to 603 PS (444 kW; 595 hp), and a new aerodynamic package. The Vanquish S can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.5 seconds but the top speed of 201 mph (324 km/h). The car's deliveries started in December 2016.[28] Aston Martin also unveiled a convertible version of the Vanquish S called the Vanquish S Volante in 2017.[29] Aston Martin released in early part of 2018 the last run of the naturally aspirated V12 Vanquish's with 175 Ultimate Edition cars world wide split between Coupe and Volante.

Vanquish Centenary Edition (2013)

The Centenary Edition is a limited edition of the Vanquish limited to 100 units commemorating 100 years of the Aston Martin company, unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.[35] 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).[36][37]

Vanquish Volante Neiman Marcus Edition (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 car was unveiled at the 2013 Pebble Beach Automotive Week, followed by the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show[38] with delivery scheduled for early 2014.[39]

Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato (2017)

Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Speedster

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 body styles - coupé, convertible, speedster, or shooting brake. 99 each were built of the coupé, convertible, and shooting brake, while a mere 28 speedsters were made, for a total of 325 cars.[40] The Vanquish Zagato features the same AM29 V12 from the Vanquish S, which has a power output of 603 PS (444 kW; 595 hp) 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 324 km/h (201 mph).[41]

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.[42][43]