The Aston Martin Vanquish is a grand tourer introduced by British luxury automobile manufacturer Aston Martin in 2001 as a successor to the Aston Martin Virage (1993).
The Aston Martin V12 Vanquish was designed by Ian Callum and unveiled at the 2001 Geneva Motor Show. It was produced from 2001 to 2007 as the flagship of the marque. A concept car, known as "Project Vantage", and the first Aston Martin design wholly designed by Callum, was built to display the company's vision for a future sports car that could represent Aston Martin's aspirations after the discontinuation of the Virage-based Vantage. The concept car evolved directly into the V12 Vanquish, and featured a carbon fibre and alloy structure, Aston Martin's most powerful V12 engine, and a host of new technologies. A specially modified V12 Vanquish was driven by James Bond in the 2002 film Die Another Day.[1] In 2004, a mildly updated version of the first-generation model, named "V12 Vanquish S", was introduced, featuring a more highly tuned engine and more track-oriented ride and handling. The V12 Vanquish was indirectly replaced by the DBS after 2007.
The second-generation "Vanquish" was introduced in 2012, this time based on Aston Martin's existing VH platform – similar to the one that underpinned the DB9. Designed by Marek Reichman and made in the Gaydon facility, the VH platform Vanquish was designed to fill the shoes of the discontinued DBS. In 2017, a "Vanquish S" with a more powerful engine and improved aerodynamics was launched. The second-generation Gaydon Vanquish was succeeded by the DBS Superleggera in 2018.[2] In September 2024, Aston Martin announced the third-generation Vanquish as the successor of the DBS Superleggera.[3][4][5]
First generation (2001–2007)
V12 Vanquish (2001–2005)
The Aston Martin V12 Vanquish was styled by Ian Callum and drew inspiration from the DB4 GT 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 V12 Vanquish car featured a unique and bespoke bonded aluminium composite chassis with a carbon fibre backbone developed in partnership with Lotus, an advanced independent suspension, and a more highly tuned version of the naturally aspirated 5935 cc Aston Martin V12 engine that had debuted in the DB7 two years earlier. It was available in 2+0 and 2+2 seating configurations and came only in a coupé body style.
The naturally aspirated 60° DOHC 4 valves per cylinder V12 engine with a bore and stroke of 89x79.5 mm produced 466 PS at 6,500 rpm and 400 lbft of torque at 5,000 rpm.[8]
Second generation (2012–2018)
The second-generation Gaydon-built "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 Villa d'Este held on the shores of Lake Como, Italy. The concept car was based on the latest generation of the VH platform that had debuted in the DB9, and then evolved into the V8 and V12 Vantage, DBS, Virage V12, and Rapide. It was internally known as project VH310.[23] 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 558 PS.[24] Aston Martin later announced that the concept would be put into production as the all-new Vanquish.[25][26][27]
Third generation (2024–present)
On 2 September 2024, Aston Martin unveiled the third-generation Vanquish, powered by a new twin-turbo 5.2-litre V12, mated to an eight-speed ZF gearbox. The V12 has been completely re-engineered from the original, which debuted in the DB11 in 2016, featuring a new block, heads, intakes, exhaust ports, and turbochargers. It now produces 835 PS and 738 lbft of torque.[38][39] The same engine is used in the Valour and Valiant models, using different calibrations strategies to achieve the target performance levels.
The car uses a modified version of the platform that underpins the DB12 and Vantage, with a longer wheelbase to accommodate the larger V12 engine. At 1774 kg, it is 89 kg heavier than the DB12. The third-generation Vanquish accelerates from 0–62 mph in 3.2 seconds, and has a top speed of 214 mph.[40][41]
Vanquish Vision Concept
The proposed third generation concept car was unveiled at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.[46] It features a rear mid-engine layout, aluminium bonded chassis and a new 3.0-litre V6 engine that can develop over 710 PS.[47] The production car would have been in the same market segment as the Ferrari F8 Tributo and McLaren 720S.[48][49] The mid-engined Vanquish was originally planned to enter production in 2023, but was eventually cancelled.[50][51]
External links
References
- James Bond's Aston Martin Vanquish Driven The Telegraph, 5 December 2016^
- New Aston Martin DBS Superlegerra revealed as Ferrari 812 Competitor Autocar, 26 June 2018^
- 2025 Aston Martin Vanquish Is an 824-HP V12 Stunner