Aston Martin Vanquish is here to take the throne as the ultimate grand tourer, packing a jaw-dropping 824bhp V12 under its hood. Priced at a cool $417,000, this beast is designed to go head-to-head with Ferrari’s V12 stunner, the 12Cilindri, and it’s ready to rumble.
A New Era for Aston Martin
Since Lawrence Stroll took the reins at Aston Martin, the brand has undergone a significant transformation, focusing on performance, dynamics, and sheer driving pleasure. The DB12 and the new Vantage set the stage, but the Vanquish is the crown jewel of this new era—a flagship GT that’s all about power, presence, and, of course, that sweet, sweet V12.
The Powerhouse V12
Let’s get straight to the heart of the matter: the engine. Aston Martin has equipped the Vanquish with a 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 that’s basically a rocket disguised as a car engine. This beast churns out 824bhp at 6500rpm, with a whopping 738lb-ft of torque available between 2500 and 5000rpm. To put that into perspective, this Vanquish is more powerful than even the Valkyrie’s Cosworth-developed motor.
Aston’s director of vehicle performance, Simon Newton, wasn’t shy about his excitement: “The Vanquish is literally ballistic.” And with a 0-62mph time of just 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 214mph, he’s not exaggerating.
Boost, Baby, Boost!
Aston Martin didn’t just slap on some turbos and call it a day. They’ve added a ‘Boost Reserve’ function that makes the turbos spin faster and with less lag. It’s like having a secret weapon ready to unleash at the press of the pedal, providing a more immediate and thrilling power hit when you need it most. And don’t worry about emissions—this engine is 30% more efficient than the DBS, so you can feel a little better about all that fun you’re having.
Aston Martin Vanquish-Handling & Chassis Tech
The Vanquish isn’t just about straight-line speed; it’s built to handle like a dream. The car features an electronically controlled diff that can go from fully open to locked in just 135 milliseconds, ensuring agility at low speeds and stability when you’re pushing the limits. There’s also a suite of tech like ‘Corner Braking 2.0’ and ‘Integrated Vehicle Control’ that works in the background to keep you on the road and out of trouble.
However, unlike some of its rivals, the Vanquish skips on rear-wheel steering. According to Newton, “We didn’t want the weight penalty, and after getting the car set up right in the first place, there wasn’t a need to add it.” Translation: this car is already a finely tuned weapon—no need to mess with perfection.
Updated Design: Muscular and Majestic
Let’s talk about the looks, because the Vanquish is a real head-turner. It’s a big car, measuring 4.85 meters in length, but it’s the design details that steal the show. The concave front grille gives it a menacing shark nose profile, while the sawn-off Kamm tail and carbon-fibre body panels scream high performance. And don’t even get us started on the titanium exhaust option—because who doesn’t want a car that sounds as fast as it drives?
Aston Martin Interior: Luxurious and Tech-Heavy
Inside, the Vanquish ditches the DB12’s rear seats in favor of more luggage space, which is perfect for those weekend getaways—or, you know, a quick dash to the country club. The cabin is a blend of luxury and tech, with a 10.25-inch digital dial pack and touchscreen combo, plus leather-lined cup holders because Aston Martin knows the devil is in the details.
Aston has also been smart about keeping some analogue controls, so you don’t have to fumble with a touchscreen just to adjust the temperature. “It was very important for us to allow you to interact with physical buttons,” says design director Miles Nurnberger. In a world where everything is going digital, it’s nice to see Aston keeping it real.
The Final Word
At $429,000, the Vanquish is not just another grand tourer; it’s a statement. A statement that says, “I’m here to dominate.” With only 1000 units to be produced annually, it’s clear that Aston Martin isn’t just pushing boundaries—they’re obliterating them.
Order books are now open, so if you’ve got a spare $429,000 lying around, you might want to put your name down. After all, who wouldn’t want to own a piece of Aston Martin’s new era?