Words by Atif Kazmi for Por Homme
A few months back, I was invited to Q New York, Aston Martin’s ultra-luxury flagship. While the combination of Park Ave’s pedestrian and car traffic was reaching a fever pitch, inside was much more peaceful and intimate. Cell phones and cameras were off with a notepad and pen in hand to capture all that we’d hear and see about a special halo model coming to Aston Martin’s lineup. This is the all-new Aston Martin Vanquish, a performance grand tourer that’s powered by the company’s most powerful V12 engine yet.
We’ll get to the insane numbers in a bit but let’s first talk about its ground-up design. Photos likely won’t do it justice but the Aston Martin Vanquish leads with confidence and delivers a total package that’s fundamentally Aston. Its wheelbase is the longest in the British automaker’s stable, allowing for the Vanquish to effortlessly make its presence felt.
Head on, you can see a very short nose and instantly recognizable Aston design cues such as the headlamps and front grill. But take a few steps closer and to the side and you begin to see an open-mouth front fascia that bites. The sills protrude out and connect the car to the road. Look past the long bonnet and you’ll see how the Vanquish slims down as it gets to the rear. And then, the haunches around the back fenders widen as we get to a rear that makes a statement like no other.
Aston Martin’s trickled some hypercar details down to the new Vanquish including the rear light blades. Not surprising as Aston reminded us that the Vanquish badge is used to having an interesting detail at the rear. The integrated lift helps to hide the boot closure lines while helping to deliver a cleaner finish at the back. Through Bespoke by Q, customers can opt to have it match the body paint or go for exposed carbon fiber instead. While the Valour puts its brutalist design on full display, the Vanquish is much more refined.
But don’t let that fool you. It’s packing tremendous power and force under a beautiful skin. Numbers come in at 835PS and 1000Nm of torque and with a top speed of 214 mph or 345 km/h. This unmatched performance sets a new benchmark by delivering the highest specific power output in Aston Martin’s history. High-speed turbochargers with reduced inertia increase performance and throttle response. The Twin-Turbo V12 also includes a new Boost Reserve function, which increases its reactive power delivery for dynamic driving and overtaking maneuvers.
A powertrain with such formidable capability requires an equally exceptional chassis. The bespoke chassis has an aluminum body structure with double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, setting new benchmarks for structural rigidity and suspension systems. It’s also equipped with underbody stiffening components, which increase lateral stiffness by 75% for more focused dynamics. Moreover, larger diameter anti-roll bars (ARB) increase chassis roll stiffness for enhanced dynamic response.
The flagship V12 model’s introduction of the latest Bilstein DTX damper technology allows for a significant divergence between drive modes. This broader range of damper force provides greater refinement and control across different settings, including the GT, Sport, and Sport+ modes.
As the flagship sports car, Vanquish has a standard Carbon Ceramic Brake system. It includes 410mm discs on the front axle and 360mm on the rear for enhanced braking performance, reduced brake fade at temperatures up to 800°C, and reduced unsprung weight. Vanquish also benefits from Corner Braking 2.0, strengthening the link between the Integrated Brake Slip Control and the Integrated Vehicle Control modules. This utilizes more of the rear-end braking potential without sacrificing stability, allowing the vehicle to hold a tighter line into a corner.
Vanquish comes standard with 21” forged alloy wheels and bespoke Pirelli P ZERO tires. These wheels reduce weight and increase durability and dynamic performance without sacrificing the car’s design. Aston Martin and Pirelli developed summer and winter tires, enabling the car to perform best regardless of climate. Apart from driving in dry or wet conditions, the tires also enhance the driving experience by reducing noise inside the car with their Pirelli Noise Canceling System (PNCS) technology, which absorbs sound on the inside of the tire.
Step inside the new Vanquish and you’re met with craftsmanship and precision, building upon the innovative architecture seen in Aston Martin’s new sports cars. Purposefully designed as a 2-seat Super GT, the interior focuses on delivering an exhilarating drive for both the driver and the passenger. The lowered center console, dashboard with a subtle bright chrome horizon line stitching, and digital 10.25” TFT driver display enhance the luxurious look of the car. Additionally, a 10.25” Pure Black touchscreen system is included with full online connectivity, which provides user control for all infotainment, as well as climate and general vehicle settings. The Vanquish also has a Bowers & Wilkins audio system, which is the standard for the most captivating sound experience.
Simply put, the new Aston Martin Vanquish is a masterpiece. Though the badge is iconic, the brand’s come a long way since the previous generation Vanquish rode off into the sunset. And so, this latest iteration keeps in mind the Aston Martin of today and the one of the future. The Vanquish aims to be a true performance grand tourer that reaffirms Aston Martin’s position at the forefront of luxurious supercars. Only 1000 examples will be produced each year, with the first deliveries scheduled to begin in Q4. For more details, visit the Aston Martin website.
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