Aston Martin has unveiled a stunning new luxury sports car - the Aston Martin Vanquish.
Sitting
proudly at the pinnacle of the luxury British car maker's sports car
line-up, this breathtaking new super grand tourer represents the zenith
of current Aston Martin design and engineering. Vanquish points to an
exciting and confident future for the historic brand.
Aston Martin
AM 310 Vanquish is a new Aston Martin featuring the next generation of
the renowned VH architecture as well as a significantly upgraded
6.0-litre V12 engine that is considerably more potent than before.
The
design represents the latest take on Aston Martin's iconic visual
language. Vanquish unquestionably sees the brand continue its enviable
tradition of producing some of the most beautiful sports cars in the
world. Styling cues such as the elegant new waist, elongated side
strakes and LED rear light blades are derived from the One-77 supercar.
Unmistakably
an Aston Martin, the design shows a clear and coherent lineage from its
heritage while providing an equally clear pointer to the luxury car
brand's vibrant future. Closer inspection reveals details such as the
stunning new Aero Duct on the rear boot lid. This elegantly devised
passive engineering feature, which counteracts lift at the car's rear
when travelling at speed, is a triumph of both design and technical
ability.
Performance, presence, style and great British craftsmanship - the new Vanquish has all these traits in abundance.
Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said: "AM 310
Vanquish is the ultimate expression of Aston Martin design ethos,
engineering innovation and technical ability. It offers luxurious,
continent-crossing capability and pure driving excitement without
compromise.
"Bearing the same name as the iconic AM V12 Vanquish
that did so much to cement Aston Martin's reputation as a maker of great
GT cars in the modern era, I believe the car unveiled today once again
puts this great British brand at the top of its class.
"The new AM
310 Vanquish mixes beautiful design with impressive technology such as
the superb new infotainment system. This is the latest incarnation of
everything we know, informed and developed from One-77. It is the
ultimate Super Grand Tourer - confident and assured - and is the newest
representation of Power, Beauty and Soul."
As happy on the streets
of a bustling city as it is carving through the countryside or long
distance motorway touring, the Vanquish offers a thoroughbred British
luxury sports car that's also suited to everyday use.
Powered by a
significantly revised naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine
mated to the proven Touchtronic 2 six-speed automatic gearbox, the new
car offers suitably impressive performance figures. The V12's power peak
of 565 bhp (573 PS) makes it Aston Martin's most potent production
model yet, outmuscled only by the strictly limited edition £1.2m One-77
supercar.
The raw statistics speak for themselves: 573 PS at 6,750
rpm, 620 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm, 0-62 mph in 4.1 seconds and a top
speed of 183 mph place the Aston Martin Vanquish firmly into supercar
territory. Yet the brand's team of engineers have been working towards
economy and emissions improvements, too.
The latest engineering
methods, innovative technologies and typically understated classic
British design come together to make the muscular new Vanquish a true
super GT. For instance, each body panel on the car is constructed from
carbon fibre because of its high strength-to-weight ratio and
flexibility of form. Meanwhile torsional rigidity is improved by more
than 25%.
Practical improvements such as a newly designed and
significantly more spacious cabin and a boot that, at 368 litres, is
more than 60% larger than that of the DBS, ensure the new Vanquish can carry sufficient luggage for even the most ambitious grand tourist.
Designed
and hand-built at Aston Martin's global headquarters at Gaydon in
Warwickshire the new Vanquish, available as a 2+2 or 2+0, sits atop a
broad line-up of world-class sports cars including the exquisite DB9, sporty V8 Vantage and luxurious four-door Rapide.
Dr
Bez said: "The Aston Martin range is stronger now than at any time in
our 99-year history. The new AM 310 Vanquish represents the perfect way
to signal the beginning of our centenary celebrations next year."
Priced
from £189,995 RRP first deliveries of the new sports car are expected
to begin in the UK and Continental Europe late in 2012.
Aston Martin Vanquish: Design
Aston
Martin is renowned in the motor industry for the supreme beauty of its
cars. The visual language of a modern Aston Martin is highly
distinctive, yet timelessly attractive.
The design team at the
company's global HQ in Gaydon, Warwickshire, is led by Design Director
Marek Reichman and, together, they have developed an unmistakable visual
interpretation of the brand's ethos.
When the commission for new
Aston Martin AM 310 Vanquish arrived Marek and his team set about
working to hone the flowing exterior lines of a classic Aston Martin GT
and to create a modern day interpretation of the Vanquish.
Drawing
inspiration not least from the iconic One-77 supercar, the team worked
to evolve that design language and create a 21st Century successor
worthy of sporting the Vanquish moniker.
They worked to stay faithful to the AM V12 Vanquish inspiration - so beloved of Aston Martin fans worldwide - while introducing new aspects that debuted in the One-77.
The
result is a new Aston Martin Vanquish that very clearly retains the
presence of its forebear, yet offers it in a much more refined and
functional package. Sporting the assertive body language for which the
AM V12 Vanquish is renowned, today's GT is more lean and elegant -
highlighting its improved agility and dynamics.
With the exception of the now sold-out One-77 supercar, and limited edition V12 Zagato,
the AM 310 Vanquish sits atop Aston Martin's model range.
Understandably, therefore, it boasts design language derived from the
One-77 such as the elegant and flowing waistline, elongated side
strakes, curvaceous, taut, form and LED light blade rear clusters, as
well as entirely new design ideas such as the remarkable rear Aero Duct.
Blending the aggressive lines of the One-77 with the elegant shape of
the DB9 and Rapide, the new Vanquish sets the visual standard for
today's luxury GT cars.
It has amplified gestures - in the form of bonnet vents, side strakes and a sculpted roof - that accentuate the car's extra performance and edgier character. The car has a more assertive stance, yet is not overtly aggressive.
It has amplified gestures - in the form of bonnet vents, side strakes and a sculpted roof - that accentuate the car's extra performance and edgier character. The car has a more assertive stance, yet is not overtly aggressive.
A near-continuous
ring of exposed carbon fibre features at the base of the car in the
form of a carbon fibre splitter, light-catching carbon fibre side skirts
and imposing carbon fibre rear diffuser. This accentuates the car's
sporting dynamics, as well as making it appear more planted.
Each
body panel on the new Vanquish is also constructed from carbon fibre,
because of its high strength-to-weight ratio and flexibility of form.
This not only reduces mass but means that fewer individual body panels
are required. For instance, the panel gap on the C-pillar joint is no
longer necessary.
The designers have worked hard to pay attention
to the finer details of all the materials used, with the carbon fibre
weave direction a good example of this. It has been designed, and is
constructed, to flow precisely with the car's elegant shape.
Just
as with the exterior, the design team were tasked with redesigning the
Vanquish's interior to give it a more complete and high quality finish.
The result is an all-new interior that is more roomy, comfortable and
luxurious than ever.
Again drawing inspiration from the One-77,
the design team have emulated the flowing lines, quality and
craftsmanship while introducing significant refinements over DBS to
improve ergonomics and usability.
Showcasing the vast selection of
materials and finishes that are now available on the Vanquish, the
interior trim is available in a wide range of materials including fine
Bridge of Weir Luxmil Leather, Semi-Aniline Leather and Alcantara, all
expertly hand-stitched by some of the world's most experienced
craftspeople.
Elsewhere inside, the new instrument panel is a refinement of the One-77's, with new detailing and improved ergonomics.
The
new design is sleeker with a more elegant finish to complement the rest
of the interior. It features new elements that convey a powerful and
assertive attitude, and a new Driver Information Module (DIM) that the
Vanquish shares with the One-77. The new DIM retains the classic Aston
Martin style, but with a more futuristic typeface. The digital displays
have been revised following feedback from existing owners, now
permanently showing a digital speedo and a trip computer, which details
the remaining range and the odometer.
Perhaps one of the most
striking new interior design elements, though, is the new centre stack
with refinements providing a more elegant form that is also more
intuitive and accessible for both driver and front seat passenger.
A
direct descendent of the One-77 centre stack, the Aston Martin AM 310
Vanquish set-up retains familiar elements such as the ECU engine start
button and gear selection buttons, while introducing a new infotainment
system and a significantly more user-friendly design.
The facia
trim now stretches down the whole centre stack and is manufactured from a
single piece of material, giving a uniform finish with, obviously, no
panel gaps.
The user interface has been completely redesigned,
with a more user-friendly and ergonomic layout as well as technological
updates that make it one of the most advanced in-car systems available.
Aston
Martin's trademark glass starter module and gear mode selection buttons
have been retained while all-new capacitive glass buttons with
illumination and haptic feedback have been introduced for the rest of
the centre stack's switchgear.
Haptic feedback is more commonly
found in touch-screen mobile phones and Aston Martin becomes among the
first significant luxury car manufacturers in the world to use the
technology in a series production model.
Importantly, of course,
the new car has more space both for occupants, and their belongings in
the cabin. In fact the interior of the Vanquish has 140% more storage
space than the DBS. The cubby box has been redesigned with a stylish
armrest lid and now offers more than three litres of storage space and
an integrated USB and AC point for portable devices.
There is
further storage space at the base of the centre stack, with more than
two litres of storage, generously sized cupholders and a mobile phone
holder, as well as additional USB and AC points. Other storage spaces
are dotted handily around the car, too, with more than three litres in
the door bins and seat pouches alone.
Occupant space grows in all
axes versus DBS with, in essence, the interior 'pushed' outward. Legroom
is up 37 mm, shoulder room grows 25 mm, elbow room extends by 87 mm
while knee room is boosted by 50 mm. All this, as the dash surface is
moved forward 20 mm, too.
The Aston Martin Vanquish is available with either 2+0 or 2+2 seating configurations.
Aston Martin Vanquish: Performance
As
with all Aston Martin sports cars, the need for perfect balance,
high-performance stability, nimble handling ability and minimised kerb
weight define the new Vanquish. The comprehensive use of carbon fibre
body panels for the first time in an Aston Martin underline the new
Vanquish's credentials as a truly innovative model.
Strenuous
efforts have been made to limit the new car's weight, contributing to
its impressive performance, handling and significantly improved power to
weight ratio. The combination of controlled weight, near-perfect 50:50
weight distribution, a powerful new V12 engine and a performance-honed
six-speed transmission combine to make the Vanquish as rewarding and
engaging on the move as it is elegant standing still.
At the heart
of the new car is the latest iteration of Aston Martin's a 6.0-litre
V12 engine. Significant re-engineering of this iconic V12 includes a
revised block and new head including the debut of dual variable valve
timing, uprated fuel pump, enlarged throttle bodies, a revised 'big
wing' intake manifold and fully machined combustion chambers help the
engine to a peak power output of 573 PS (565 bhp) at 6,750 rpm.
Crucially,
too, the unit has been tuned specifically to deliver greater torque low
down the rev range to make the car feel even more willing and muscular
from very low revs. The result, predictably perhaps, is an improved
0-100 km/h time of 4.1 seconds. The top speed, where legal, is 295 km/h
(183 mph).
As is the modern custom with all Aston Martin sports
cars the engine is hand-assembled at the dedicated Aston Martin engine
plant in Cologne, Germany.
The Vanquish uses the latest generation
of Aston Martin's class-leading VH (Vertical Horizontal) architecture, a
lightweight bonded aluminium structure that provides outstanding
strength and rigidity. In this iteration, the Vanquish tub now includes
the addition of significant carbon fibre components, as well as the use
of bonding derived directly from the latest aerospace technologies.
The
architecture has been re-engineered to control weight and improve
packaging. With 75% new parts, the depth of re-engineering to achieve
major packaging improvements cannot be overestimated.
Engineers
have employed the extensive use of advanced materials and processes -
some derived direct from the aerospace industry - to control weight and
optimise the new car's driving experience.
For the first time in
an Aston Martin, carbon fibre is used to make every external panel. The
race car-inspired technology gives benefits for weight and body
stiffness but, more importantly, has been essential in realising the
design of Vanquish. Two notable components are the door skin and boot
lid - neither of these unbroken surfaces would have been possible
without the use of carbon fibre.
"There are no restrictions on
form or shape when using carbon fibre," says Marek Reichman, Aston
Martin's Design Director, "and the material allowed us to wrap bodywork
around the 20-inch wheels and maintain the precise relationship between
the wheel and the bodywork."
Each panel has been carefully
sculpted to direct the airflow around the car, into the engine and to
help cool the braking system. The carbon fibre elements are produced
using advanced manufacturing techniques developed from the aerospace and
motorsport industries.
The panel-making procedure also delivers
an exceptional surface finish. The application of a 200 micron layer of
epoxy and glass to the panel delivers a class-A surface that is in line
with Aston Martin's tradition of high-quality finishes. Inside the car,
the weave patterns on the exposed carbon fibre elements have been
carefully selected to present the most harmonious surfaces.
- Technical Specifications
- Body
- Two-door coupe body style with 2+0 or optional 2+2 seating
- New generation bonded aluminium and carbon fibre VH structure
- Aluminium, magnesium alloy and carbon-fibre composite body
- Extruded aluminium door side-impact beams
- Bi-xenon headlamps
- LED light blade rear lamps and LED side repeaters
- Dimensions
- Length: 4720mm (inc. front number plate plinth)
- Width: 2067mm (inc. mirrors)
- Height: 1294mm
- Wheelbase: 2740mm
- Fuel tank capacity: 78 litres (17.2 Imp.galls, 20.5 US galls)
- Weight: 1739 kg
- Engine
- All-alloy, independent quad variable camshaft timing, 48-valve, 5,935 cc V12
- Compression ratio: 11.0:1
- Front-mid mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
- Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valves
- Six three-way catalytic convertors
- Max power: 573 PS (565 bhp) at 6,750 rpm
- Max torque: 620 Nm (457 lb ft) at 5,500 rpm
- Acceleration: 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.1 seconds
- Top speed: 295 km/h (183 mph)
- Transmission
- Rear-mid mounted, six-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic/sequential manual gearbox
- Alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft
- Limited-slip differential
- Wheels and Tyres
- Front: 9J x 20" Pirelli P Zero 255/35 ZR20
- Rear: 11.5J x 20" Pirelli P Zero 305/30 ZR20
- Steering
- Speed-dependent electronically controlled rack and pinion power-assisted steering, 2.62 turns lock-to-lock. Column tilt and reach adjustment
- Suspension
- Lightweight aluminium front subframe with hollow castings
- Front: Independent double wishbone incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
- Rear: Independent double wishbones with anti-squat and anti-lift geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
- Three-stage adjustable Adaptive Damping System (ADS) with Normal, Sport and Track modes
- Lightweight aluminium front subframe with hollow castings
- Brakes
- Front: Ventilated carbon ceramic discs, 398mm diameter with six-piston calipers
- Rear: Ventilated carbon ceramic discs, 360mm diameter with four-piston calipers
- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Track mode
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
- Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
- Positive Torque Control (PTC)
- Traction Control
- Launch Control
- Standard specification
- Full-grain leather interior
- Alcantara headlining
- Electrically operated front seats
- Memory front seats and exterior mirrors (three memory positions)
- 2+0 seating configuration with flexible rear environment storage
- Powerfold exterior heated mirrors
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Cruise control
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Alarm and immobiliser
- Remote-control central door locking and boot release
- Automatic temperature control
- Heated front seats
- Curtain side head airbags
- Dual Stage Driver and Passenger Front Airbags
- Pelvis and thorax seat mounted airbags
- Seat belt dual-pretensioners and digressive load limiters
- Trip computer
- Tracking device (UK only)
- Laminated windscreen with clear noise-insulation layer
- Glass ECU
- Titanium bonnet and side strake meshes
- Bright aluminium front grille
- Chrome side strakes and tailpipe trim
- Heated rear screen
- In Car Entertainment
- New infotainment system with capacitive switching
- 1000W Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 15-speaker audio system
- Garmin satellite navigation system
- 6.5" LCD Screen
- iPod® and iPhone® Integration and USB playback
- Satellite radio system (USA only)
- AM/FM radio
- A2DP Bluetooth® audio and phone streaming
- Wi-Fi Hub
- Options
- Ten-spoke alloy wheel in a Graphite finish
- 20-spoke alloy wheel in a Liquid Silver, Silver finish with diamond turning, Graphite finish with diamond turning, Gloss Black with diamond turning and Satin Black with diamond turning
- Black-vaned grille
- Magnum Silver or Black Mesh finish
- Matt black textured tailpipe
- Black, blue, yellow or red calipers
- Exposed carbon fibre roof panel
- Exposed carbon fibre door mirror caps
- Exposed carbon fibre side strakes
- Exposed carbon door handles
- Protective tape
- Black Luxmil Leather and part-Alcantara steering wheel
- Colour-Keyed Luxmil Leather steering wheel
- Black One-77 leather steering wheel with black Alcantara Inserts
- Colour-Keyed One-77 Luxmil leather steering wheel with black leather inserts
- Centre stack facia in carbon fibre 2x2 twill, carbon fibre 2x2 fishbone, Piano Red, Piano Black or Piano Ice mocha.
- Headrest embroidery - Aston Martin wings or Vanquish logo
- Black hardware pack
- Full carbon fibre gearshift paddles
- Personalised sill plaques
- Rear parking assist camera
- Auto-dimming mirror with garage door opener
- Heated and ventilated seats
- Smoker's Pack
- Second glass key
- Tracking device
- Alarm upgrade (volumetric and tilt sensors)
- Option toolkit
- Six-CD auto-changer
- First-aid kit
