Twelve cylinders. That’s a giant deal, a lot in order that Ferrari named its newest front-engined flagship precisely that – 12Cilindri. If you need a V12, it’s both that black-nosed automobile from Maranello or this, the newest Aston Martin Vanquish. Sure, the Lamborghini Revuelto additionally has a dozen of cans, however the successor to the Aventador has develop into a plug-in hybrid. So, for the purists, it’s down to 2.
As we speak, we’ll take a more in-depth have a look at the British different to the 12Cilindri. That is the third Aston Martin to put on the Vanquish badge, after the earlier one departed in 2018 for the DBS Superleggera, which right now’s Vanquish replaces. Earlier than all of these was the V12 Vanquish made well-known by Agent 007 in Die One other Day, one of the crucial well-known Bond automobiles.
The badge could be DBS or Vanquish (the latter sounds so a lot better, doesn’t it?), however we’re wanting on the similar line of V12 flagship GTs. As we speak’s Vanquish is ferocious in output, extra aggressive-looking than its forebears and can value you not less than RM5 million fully-taxed in Malaysia, earlier than choices and customisation. Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur tells us that just a few hundred grand of choices is typical – nobody buys base automobiles at this stage.
It’s solely proper to begin with what’s beneath that lengthy hood. Like within the DBS Superleggera, Gaydon’s V12 is a 5.2-litre twin-turbo unit, however a lot has been modified that it’s virtually like a brand new engine. A strengthened block and conrods are the foundations, and sitting on that could be a redesigned head with new cam profiles and consumption and exhaust ports, repositioned spark plugs and gas injectors with a ten% increased flowrate. A bigger oil cooler will increase warmth rejection by 50%.
All of those work collectively to optimise combustion in a bid to outlive. “Solely by refining each stage of the inner combustion course of has this unprecedented efficiency and effectivity been achieved, whereas guaranteeing this magnificent V12 meets the newest emissions laws throughout world markets,” Aston says.
In the meantime, the turbos have decreased inertia and spin sooner by 15% to extend efficiency and throttle response, with a brand new ‘Enhance Reserve’ perform growing enhance stress to supply prompt response when wanted. That is completed throughout partial throttle (imperceptibly to the driving force, Aston says) by balancing the throttle flap place (to limit the consumption stream), and the clever wastegate within the turbo (to high quality tune the elevated consumption stress).
The advantages usually are not simply in idea. The Vanquish’s V12 produces a surprising 835 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque from 2,500 to five,000 rpm. At 160 PS per litre, that is the very best particular output ever by the corporate, and additionally it is 65 PS/100 Nm greater than the output of the ultimate DBS 770 Final.
All of that’s despatched to the rear axle by way of a ZF eight-speed computerized gearbox, and an digital locking differential (as a substitute of a mechanical one, a primary on a front-engined V12 Aston) improves response in live performance with the steadiness management system. The 0-100 km/h dash is completed in 3.3 seconds and prime pace is 345 km/h, the very best on an Aston Martin sequence manufacturing automobile.
AM’s bonded aluminium construction will get elevated underbody bracing for the brand new Vanquish, which will increase lateral stiffness by 75% over the DBS 770 Final. A brand new engine cross brace plus entrance undertray and crossmember have resulted in a extra inflexible entrance finish, growing damper mounting stiffness and enhancing steering really feel and response – these are additional enhanced by the recalibrated EPS and the fitment of a non-isolated steering column.
On the different finish, Gaydon’s chassis boffins elevated lateral bracing between the shock towers and added a thicker undertray for higher stability and dealing with steadiness. The Vanquish rides on entrance double wishbones and rear multilinks, geared up with thicker anti-roll bars and Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers first seen on the DB12. The trick dampers ‘swallow bumps and flattens slopes’.
We come to braking. The usual-fit carbon ceramic discs measure 410 mm on the entrance and 360 mm on the rear. The brand new ABS incorporates Built-in Brake Slip Management (IBC) to cut back path braking distances, Built-in Traction Management (ITC), Built-in Automobile Management (IVC) and an Built-in Automobile Dynamics Estimation (IVE) algorithm to optimise the ITC and IVC’s efficiency. The brand new Nook Braking 2.0 enhances path braking stability, enabling a tighter line coming right into a nook. Phew!
Aston Martin has an extended historical past of creating lovely automobiles, however the issue with having a great template is to be wedded to it. Do you agree with me that whereas the brand new Vanquish continues to be instantly recognisable as an Aston, it additionally appears to be like extra aggressive, extra… devilish? It’s actually extra angular than what we’re accustomed to from Gaydon – see that Kammback and rear quarter window that’s barely… Nissan GT-R?
The most important shock is on the again, the place a floating black ‘protect’ is flanked by a pair of seven LED bars so small that they may’ve been referred to as matchsticks. Under that could be a huge diffuser with two giant pipes on all sides (a ten.5 kg lighter titanium exhaust system is non-compulsory).
The cross-spoke 21-inch solid wheels seen within the official photographs are good, however the star-spoke rims you see listed here are nice for displaying off the mega brakes and match completely with this automobile’s white paintjob, I feel. Pirelli P Zeros with noise cancellation expertise is the OE tyre.
Inside, you possibly can see that Aston is taking a special cockpit strategy from Ferrari – there are solely two screens however loads of buttons. It follows the trail taken by the DB12 and Vantage, however there are distinctive touches similar to a full-width chrome strip above the air vents and a centre protrusion that appears prefer it’s hugging the touchscreen. The strong steel drive mode selector that additionally homes the illuminated glass starter button is a pleasant contact. Audio is by way of a 15-speaker, dual-amp Bowers & Wilkins system.
The seats are as per the Vantage – you possibly can select from Sport Plus Seats with distinctive quilting or carbon fibre-backed Efficiency Seats, optioned right here in retina-searing Cote d’Azure Blue. This instance has the carbon roof possibility, however a panoramic glass roof comes as normal. Behind the seats is a set of fitted baggage that’s in all probability dearer than my automobile.
There you go, the brand new Aston Martin Vanquish. Manufacturing is proscribed to lower than 1,000 models every year, and deliveries are taking place as we kind. Costs begin from RM5 million (with duties) earlier than choices and customisation, and shopping for from the official distributor will get you a three-year manufacturing unit guarantee, with the choice to increase protection for as much as 20 years.
Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur tells us that it already has a few agency orders for the Vanquish, and the names embrace returning fans in addition to new-to-brand clients, maybe lured by the 12 cylinders. The primary batch will attain our shores within the first quarter of 2025. If you happen to’re into massive British GTs, there’s one other one simply across the nook – the Bentley Continental GT Velocity won’t have a V12, but it surely’s extra luxurious, sooner to 100 km/h and has 81 km of pure electrical drive. Which is extra your fashion, fellow dreamer?
GALLERY: 2025 Aston Martin Vanquish in Malaysia
GALLERY: 2025 Aston Martin Vanquish official pictures
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