Aston Martin prepares to Vanquish competitors
BY PETER BARNWELL | 5th Sep 2024
FINANCIALLY wobbly but storied sportscar maker Aston Martin has revealed a new halo model, the latest iteration of its legendary Vanquish series, ahead of initial deliveries to Australia in the first quarter of next year.
Prices start from $737,000 excluding on-road costs and options.
The “sensational” new coupe is powered by a 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 that develops 614kW/1000Nm facilitating a maximum speed of 344km/h to comfortably earn the fastest Aston Martin series production car to date membership of the 200 miles per hour club.
Aston Martin says the revised engine delivers the highest specific outputs of all its V12s to date, at almost 118kW per litre.
No 0-100km/h acceleration figure is claimed, Aston Martin making more of the final drive ratio being geared for high top speed and the powertrain being optimised for strong in-gear acceleration performance.
Built on a new chassis structure, the latest GT model features a long wheelbase (+80mm over its predecessor) in keeping with its fast and luxurious intercontinental driving aspirations.
Aston Martin says the new Vanquish delivers an “unprecedented combination of refined comfort, supercar performance and pinpoint dynamics (that) sets the new flagship benchmark”.
Ensuring all that performance is tamed are newly developed Bilstein DTX dampers, an electronic rear differential (e-diff) and AML specific 21-inch Pirelli P Zero tyres.
The low slung two-door has a full-length panoramic glass roof and bespoke (custom made) state-of-the-art infotainment system highlighting the model’s all-new ultra-luxury interior.
But production is limited to 1000 examples each year, with first deliveries in its domestic UK market scheduled to begin in time for Christmas this year.
Aston Martin says the new Vanquish is the most potent flagship in its 111-year history, “a technical masterpiece befitting a true class leader”.
The front engine model is a showcase of Aston’s in-house engineering as exemplified in the potent V12 engine, a chassis bristling with state-of-the-art dynamics technology, carbon fibre bodywork and an interior which the company says sets new standards of modern luxury.
Engine development scrutinised every stage of the internal combustion process to yield what Aston says is exceptional performance and efficiency while ensuring the V12 meets the latest emissions legislation across global markets.
Internal engine hardware highlights of the reworked engine include a strengthened cylinder block and conrods, redesigned cylinder heads incorporating reprofiled camshafts, plus new intake and exhaust ports.
Repositioned spark plugs and new higher flow rate fuel injectors deliver optimised combustion for performance and efficiency gains.
Additionally, new higher speed reduced inertia turbochargers are fitted delivering increased performance and throttle response.
The turbo system features a novel boost reserve function for instant response by increasing turbo boost pressure above what would normally be required for any given part throttle position – so it is ready to go when full power is needed.
Additional performance gains have been found with the help of Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team technical partner, Valvoline, which has supplied the latest high-performance fully synthetic engine oil.
The model uses a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, paired with an electronic rear limited slip differential (e-diff) integrated into the electronic stability program.
Unlike a conventional mechanical limited slip differential, the e-diff can transition from fully open to 100 per cent locked in 135 milliseconds.
Aston Martin chief technical officer Roberto Fedeli said it would be “inconceivable that a new Aston Martin flagship should be powered by anything other than a state-of-the-art V12”.
“To this end our engineering team completely reworked our existing 5.2-litre twin-turbo engine from block casting to cylinder heads,” he added.
“With ambitious targets for gains in power and torque, plus equally tough goals for improvements in driveability, efficiency and global emissions compliance, the result is a modern masterpiece.
“One which delivers performance characteristics unmatched by any other car in its category. As such Vanquish makes an emphatic statement, with its abundant power and prestige surpassed only by the passion and skill poured into its creation.”
Aston Martin says the Vanquish chassis is “meticulously honed” to deliver dynamic bandwidth through electronically harnessing the processing power of the powertrain, chassis and braking control systems.
The body is built around a bonded aluminium structure with double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension similar to Aston’s DB12 and Vantage but “more focused and engaging to drive”.
In styling terms, the sleek, Vanquish speaks for itself rocking a classic GT two-door coupe profile with a long nose (to accommodate its front engine), short tail with unmistakable Aston frontal treatment and pert, upswept tail leading into an intimidating rear fascia complete with quad pipes, two a side.
It is long, lithe and muscular with a wide stance and large wheels eliciting street cred by the truckload.
Aston Martin executive chair Lawrence Stroll said of the new model: “With the introduction of Vanquish we have crowned Aston Martin’s next-generation sportscar 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 sportscar market.
“As such Vanquish is the truest of Aston Martins … Immaculately designed and impeccably engineered it sets extraordinary new standards of performance, style and luxury for a new generation of connoisseurs.”
