New Aston Martin Vanquish is the flagship for the brand’s new era

Aston Martin Vanquish: engine and performance

It is of course powered by a new 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine, clearly nothing else would suffice for Aston’s new halo model, which follows a 25-year lineage of V12-engined flagships. This one happens to be the most powerful yet, developing 835PS (614kW), that’s 160PS per litre, at 6,500rpm and 1,000Nm (738lb ft) of torque from 2,500-5,000rpm.

Such whopping power figures are the reward for some painstaking work on the most minute of details. The cylinder block and conrods have been strengthened, cylinder heads redesigned with reprofiled camshafts and supplemented with new intake and exhaust ports. New injectors have improved fuel flow by ten per cent and the spark plugs have been repositioned to optimise combustion for gains in both performance and efficiency.

The turbochargers also spin 15 per cent faster with reduced inertia to maximise throttle response. Aston has developed a new ‘Boost Reserve’ function that can increase turbo pressure even when under part throttle, so if you do suddenly need a burst of power the engine can respond more sharply by releasing that accumulated boost pressure.

The ZF eight-speed automatic transmission has been carried across from the Vantage, but geared to a top speed of 214mph with sharper shifts than before. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 3.3 seconds, which makes it quicker than both the Vantage and the DB12.

Aston Martin Vanquish: handling and dynamics

Aston Martin has also integrated its e-diff into a V12-engined car for the first time. The system can transfer from open to 100 per cent lock in 135 milliseconds, which makes for quite remarkable response on the rear axle as it balances power to optimise both grip and performance together with the Electronic Stability Control system first seen on the DB12. Aston says the e-diff “significantly enhances both low speed agility and high-speed stability by maintaining a neutral balance,” it’s also tasked with maximising traction and managing grip levels in changeable conditions. We suspect opportunities to get the Vanquish good and sideways ought to be pretty accessible.

Much like the Vantage and DB12, the Vanquish’s body is formed from bonded aluminium with attention focused on increasing stiffness. The Vanquish is 75 per cent stiffer than the DBS 770 Ultimate it replaces, with new double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension and Bilstein DTX dampers set up with a bespoke calibration specifically for the Vanquish, designed to offer a broad spectrum of response options.

The goal is to offer luxurious comfort with the option to sharpen things up for a more sporting experience should you want it. The Sport and Sport+ drive modes will tighten up the response of the dampers and the suspension, but the GT mode will retain a more compliant ride through carefully measured dynamic adjustments. The power assisted steering meanwhile has been recalibrated to continue that balance of relaxation and dynamism, adapting according to the configured drive mode to adjust the weight and response of the wheel.

Stopping power is generated by lightweight carbon ceramic brakes. The Vanquish features 410mm discs at the front and 360mm at the rear. Cooled by air channelled from the front bumper, they’re said to benefit from reduced brake fade at temperatures up to 800 degrees centigrade. They’re managed by a host of systems to optimise stopping performance by measuring slip and working with the e-diff to continually manage the car’s balance.

The Vanquish is also pioneering Aston’s new Corner Braking 2.0 system, which is designed to better combine the electronic management systems to improve stability while trail braking, pushing brake balance rearwards without compromising the car’s handling. It’s a system that’s bound to pique the interest of anyone intending to take the Vanquish out on the track, and a showcase of the car’s versatility.

Connecting all of this engineering to the road are a set of 21-inch alloy wheels shed in bespoke Pirelli P Zero tyres. Doubtless they’ll provide plenty of performance, but Aston Martin has maintained the luxury balance here, too, with Pirelli’s noise cancelling system which can reduce road noise reaching the cabin by 50 per cent.

Aston Martin Vanquish: design and styling

The new Vanquish isn’t just about fancy new tech and big performance numbers though, it’s also quite the visual statement, distinct from the rest of its stablemates. The front axle has been extended 80mm forward of the A-pillar, creating an elongated front end headed by an enlarged grille opening up increased cooling for the monster V12. Additional vents around the bumper channel air for brake cooling, while the bonnet is also intricately sculpted for additional engine cooling.

A panoramic roof meanwhile, is a standard feature on the Vanquish. It eliminates harmful UV rays removing the need for a retractable blind and improving headroom as a result. It, along with the curves of the cabin, sweep down to the rear of the car and there’s another striking design choice: the Kamm tail has been exaggerated with dramatic results. The haunches lead to a cliff edge at the rear and topped with a sleek spoiler. The rear end of the car is punctuated by what Aston is calling the ‘Shield’, a panel that can be finished in carbon-fibre that floats between the rear lights reminiscent of those on the Valkyrie and above four aggressive-looking stainless steel exhausts bedded into the full-width diffuser.

Aston Martin Vanquish: interior

Sticking with the bespoke feel of the Vanquish, the interior is also different to what you’ll find elsewhere in the Vantage or DB12. It’s characterised by a blend of digital screens and physical buttons, treading the line between past and present and maximising convenience to keep the focus on the driving experience. The physical switches will control climate, gear and drive mode selection, chassis and exhaust settings, and overrides for Lane Assist and Parking Assist.

There are a pair of 10.25-inch displays, one for the instrument panel and a second central touchscreen for the infotainment integrated into the centre console which has been repositioned to closely match the layout of the new Vantage and DB12. The infotainment software is as seen on all of Aston’s latest models. It’s supplemented by wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity and the Aston Martin app.

The Vanquish comes with heated leather Sport Plus seats as standard. Carbon-fibre Performance seats are optional but in both cases the seating position is hunched down into the cabin. The centre console has been lowered and door cars scalloped to improve the feeling of space for driver and passenger. The whole interior is swathed in leather and carbon-fibre, there’s a simplicity to the design that continues the idea of focusing on the drive.

Behind the seats, the Vanquish doubles down on the sense of luxury with a bespoke luggage compartment that can be filled with an optional set of luxury luggage accessories.

The final cherry on top is the 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system. Tuned specifically for the Vanquish cabin, it’s bound to deliver some pretty spectacular sound.

With production limited to fewer than 1,000 units in a calendar year, the new Vanquish is set to be as exclusive as it is dramatic. It’s available to order now, with first deliveries set to arrive before the end of 2024.