What's all this about?

The Aston Martin Vanquish is back! Yay!

[Long pause] Aaaand...?

Oh, you want more? Righty-ho. So, following on from the original V12 Vanquish (2001-2005) - which was a considerably more hench creation than Aston's then-extant mainline GT, the DB7, with the Vanquish designed to replace the mightiest version of the old Virage (confusingly known as the Vantage back then, a twin-supercharged, 557hp behemoth) as the most-powerful and desirable model in the marque's line-up in the very early 21st century - there was a second-generation car built from 2012 until 2018. But, since then, top-dog status in the Aston fold has been bequeathed to the DBS, with the Vanquish name lying dormant. Well, no more; here's the new, third-gen Vanquish, designed to take over flagship duties from the astounding DBS 770 Ultimate... well, for front-engined cars, natch. We have to almost discount the astounding mid-engined Valkyrie hypercar and its ilk from proceedings here.

Right, so if this Vanquish is so special, how much power are we talking?

The latest Vanquish, like its predecessors, is powered by a V12; specifically, a development of the 5.2-litre, twin-turbo unit already used by the DBS. Here, though, the unit has been ramped up to colossal outputs of 835hp and 1,000Nm, which is good enough for a top speed of 214mph. Aston says this is the highest number recorded by any of its 'series production cars' to date (a phrase which neatly excludes that Valkyrie again).

Anyway, 214mph is more than enough punch for anyone's needs, with Aston saying that at 160hp/litre, the 5.2 develops the highest specific output of any V12 from the company yet seen (again, the Valkyrie's 6.5-litre engine is a) a Cosworth unit at heart, and b) it develops around 1,000hp - circa 154hp/litre - on its own, the hybrid system adding the remainder to take the car to its outrageous 1,160hp limit). In plainer terms, the third-gen Vanquish has getting on for double the horsepower of that 2001 original (466hp).

The huge power has been liberated from the 5.2 biturbo V12 thanks to a strengthened cylinder block and conrods, redesigned cylinder heads incorporating reprofiled camshafts, and new intake and exhaust ports as well. Further, Aston has repositioned the spark plugs, slapped on some higher flow-rate fuel injectors and bolted a couple of higher-speed, reduced-inertia turbochargers to the unit to get to that lofty peak of 835hp.

Oof! And is the Vanquish all about its monumental power, then? Not much finesse?

Not at all. Aston says the car can balance being a big-hearted, luxury GT on the one hand, then transform into a snarling sports coupe of the highest calibre the next. Drivetrain and chassis tech to help with this includes an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission paired to an electronic limited-slip differential at the rear, which is said to have benefits over and above a mechanical diff, such as the fact it can transition from fully open to 100 per cent lock in 135 milliseconds - way quicker than a mechanical 'slipper' could ever do it.

And, like its current stablemates in the form of the DB12 and Vantage, the Vanquish is built around a bonded aluminium structure with double-wishbone front suspension and a multilink rear set-up. The newcomer is also 80mm longer in the wheelbase than the DBS 770 Ultimate it supersedes, as well as Aston claiming it is torsionally stiffer by an incredible 75 per cent too.

To make the most of that, it is fitted with Bilstein DTX dampers with a bespoke Vanquish calibration (which can cycle, along with other aspects of the car's powertrain, through GT, Sport and Sport+ drive modes), larger-diameter anti-roll bars, and electric power assisted steering that features a non-isolated steering column for greater feel and driver connection. Stopping power is provided by mighty Carbon Ceramic Brakes (CCBs), the discs measuring 410mm on the front axle and 360mm at the rear, with the whole system saving 27kg compared to cast-iron brakes. Grip comes from a unique construction and compound of Pirelli P Zero tyres which wrap the Aston's glorious 21-inch forged alloys.

Lordy, it all sounds serious - what's it like inside?

Despite its size and status, the new Vanquish is a two-seater, not a 2+2. It is said to have a specific-to-this-model interior layout, with the centre console lowered into a horizontal plane. Aston is proud of the mix of digital and tactile within, with a pair of 10.25-inch TFT instrumentation and infotainment packs providing the cutting-edge tech, while various buttons and controls are retained on physical switchgear with machined metal detailing.

The Vanquish also gains the much, much better infotainment system seen in the latest Astons, such as the facelifted DBX707, which is a major boon. Other features include a new type of quilting for the leather, on both the Sports Plus seats and the rear parcel shelf, and even though the car comes with a panoramic roof as standard, if buyers opt for a carbon top then the headlining within is also quilted. There's also a high-power, 15-speaker, double-amplified Bowers & Wilkins sounds system as standard, and like all Aston Martin models, the Vanquish can be sent off to the Q personalisation service to make the car as thoroughly individual as possible if owners so desire.

And while you can see it with your own eyes and make up your own opinion how good (or otherwise) it looks, a few words on the Vanquish's exterior. It has some F1- and motorsport-inspired touches, such as louvres in the sculpted bonnet to cool the V12 and the Kamm tail to reduce aerodynamic drag, but it also has its own design of front bumper, wings and radiator grille to make it stand out above the DBS 770 Ultimate. There are also Matrix LED lights up front, a traditional Aston Martin side strake complete with 'V12' badge on the wings, and flush-fitting door handles, but the most distinctive aspect of the Vanquish is the rear.

Here, the central 'Shield' is designed to appear as if it is floating at the rear of the car, while it is framed by the seven-bar LED Light Blades first seen on the Valkyrie (that hypercar again!). Completing the superb look at the back is a full-width diffuser, housing the stainless-steel exhaust system's quad tailpipes. Aston says the standard set-up delivers a "fabulous V12 howl", but there's an option of an optional titanium exhaust for the most tuneful of Vanquish experiences, this lighter system trimming a further 10.5kg from the vehicle's kerb weight.

Go on, then - how much is all this little lot going to cost?

No word as yet, but we'd be surprised if it was anywhere this side of £200,000. This is not just due to the car's mouthwatering spec, but also because it is available in limited numbers - Aston will build fewer than 1,000 Vanquishes in each production year, with first deliveries scheduled for later this year. So we guess IYHTAYCAI.

What does that mean?

You can work it out.

Matt Robinson - 2 Sep 2024