Aston Martin Vanquish: The Ultimate GT Redefined

Aston Martin’s third-generation Vanquish pushes the boundaries of performance and luxury.  Experience the pinnacle of British grand touring with a 214-mph top speed.

Aston Martin.

The Aston Martin Vanquish has long been synonymous with British automotive excellence, and the latest iteration takes this legacy to unprecedented heights. The third generation of the Vanquish, introduced with the bold tagline, “All will be vanquished,” is set to redefine the grand touring (GT) segment with a combination of breathtaking performance and classic Aston Martin design.

The Vanquish’s history is steeped in cinematic and automotive lore. The original model, introduced in 2004, gained widespread recognition due to its starring role in *Die Another Day*, the final James Bond film featuring Pierce Brosnan. Over the years, the Vanquish has evolved, with each generation raising the bar for performance and luxury. The latest Vanquish is no exception, boasting an 824-horsepower 5.2-liter V12 engine that nearly doubles the output of the original model.

This new V12 engine marks a significant leap forward from its predecessors. The second-generation Vanquish, produced between 2012 and 2018, delivered an impressive 595 horsepower. However, the latest model’s engine is a completely new creation, designed from the ground up. According to James Owen, senior manager of vehicle engineering operations at Aston Martin, “There is nothing that is carried over [from the previous V-12]. It’s got a new block, new heads, new intakes, new exhaust ports, new turbos.” This level of engineering sophistication ensures that the Vanquish remains at the forefront of the GT class.

One notable aspect of the new Vanquish is its commitment to pure internal combustion engine (ICE) power. In an era where many automakers are incorporating hybrid systems to enhance performance and efficiency, Aston Martin has chosen to focus exclusively on refining the traditional V12. Alex Long, head of Aston Martin’s product and marketing division, emphasized this decision in an interview with *Car and Driver*, stating, “The engine will see us at least until the end of the decade. It’s an engine for today, but it’s also one we can further evolve.” While future iterations may include electric motors, for now, the V12 remains the star of the show.

The performance figures of the new Vanquish are nothing short of staggering. With a top speed of 214 mph, it is the fastest GT car ever produced by Aston Martin. The car’s acceleration is equally impressive, with a claimed 0-60 mph time of just 3.2 seconds and 0-100 mph in 6.2 seconds. These figures place the Vanquish in elite company, rivaling some of the most powerful supercars on the market.

In addition to its impressive performance, the Vanquish retains the timeless design language that has become synonymous with Aston Martin. The car’s elongated shape, achieved through a stretched wheelbase, enhances both its aesthetics and aerodynamics. The fastback-like Kamm Tail, a design element first seen on the classic DB6 and later revived on the special-edition Valour, adds a touch of heritage to the modern GT. The rear of the car is adorned with a powerful shield panel embossed with the “Aston Martin” name, flanked by cutting-edge LED light blades inspired by the Valkyrie hypercar.

The new Vanquish also features several technological advancements that enhance its driving dynamics. The car is built on a bonded aluminum body structure, similar to that of the DB12 and Vantage models, and features double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. Power is delivered through a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, paired for the first time with an electronic rear limited-slip differential (e-diff). This e-diff, working in conjunction with the car’s onboard computer, can make power delivery adjustments in milliseconds, greatly improving cornering agility. When combined with specially engineered Pirelli tires, these innovations promise to make the Vanquish one of the most drivable V12-powered cars on the market.

Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman of Aston Martin, summed up the significance of the new Vanquish, stating, “With the introduction of Vanquish, we have crowned Aston Martin’s next-generation sports car portfolio. A true halo model in every respect, Vanquish makes an emphatic statement. One that further delivers on our mission to create the most potent, most beautiful and most exciting cars in the ultra-luxury sports car market.”

With a starting price of $429,000, the Aston Martin Vanquish is set to hit dealerships by the end of 2024. This latest model not only reinforces Aston Martin’s reputation for excellence but also sets new standards in performance, style, and luxury for a new generation of automotive enthusiasts.