Aston Martin Vanquish

The Vanquish is a grand tourer automobile produced by Aston Martin. It began by succeeding the ageing Virage, and its first generation was displayed at the Geneva Motor Show in 2001. It was the official car of James Bond in Die Another Day. In 2007, the Vanquish was replaced by the DBS, but was revived again in 2012. The Aston Martin Vanquish offers an extremely powerful V12 engine with a luxurious cabin. While it is extremely expensive, it is one of the nicest cars available.

Performance

The Aston Martin Vanquish keeps the same 5.9-liter 12-cylinder front-mounted V12 engine as the previous year, but now produces 565 horsepower (up from 510 last year). It also produces 457 pound-feet of torque. The Vanquish can reach a top speed of approximately 183 miles per hour, and takes only 4.1 seconds to go from 0 to 60. It takes less than 10 seconds to go from 0 to 100. It retains the ZF6HP six-speed automatic transmission from the previous model, and still lacks the option for buyers to add a manual transmission. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the engine is not the performance or power but rather the noise, as it makes an incredible sound the minute it is turned on. Plenty of detail engineering and an advanced new exhaust system help contribute to producing a rich and mesmerizing sound.

Interior

Upon first appearances, it seems as though the interior is exactly the same as the previous model. Aston Martin Vanquish’s interior a stunning experience. A redesigned chassis (to make the footwells larger) provides more legroom for both the driver and passengers, and the relocation of the door mirrors and a wide windscreen opening makes the view out the front much better. The Vanquish also has a new center console with a touchscreen that acts like a smartphone. The interior comes well equipped, with almost all features coming included for the list price, such as the satellite navigation system and Bang & Olufsen stereo. Buyers have the option of adding a 3G dongle, which turns the Vanquish’s cabin into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot.

Pros/Cons

The general consensus among car critics is that the Aston Martin Vanquish is a stunning automobile that offers a terrific blend of sensational performance and a jaw-dropping interior. The car has far more form, tighter curves, and much crisper lines in its body lines from the previous model, and simply looks beautiful. The engine has an extremely powerful but elegant sound, and the Vanquish is very agile. While the steering does not seem as responsive as the previous year, it is arguably more inclusive, improving the driving experience. The interior offers even more space and is much more practical, with extra cubbies to store cargo and in general a greater overall ease of use. While it does meet emissions standards all over the world, the  Vanquish is not a green car. It is also extremely expensive; buyers should expect to pay well over $250 000 to own this stunning automobile.

Other Features

According to the Motor Trend website, buyers should expect to pay around $275 000 for the Aston Martin Vanquish. With a price like that, it’s hard to reasonably argue that the Vanquish is worth it, but it is an extraordinary car nevertheless. In-car features include an iPod and iPhone integration through the new infotainment system, a Satellite Radio system, and the Garmin Satellite Navigation system. All models come standard with dual front, front side and side curtain airbags in addition to stability control and traction systems. Additional options include an alarm upgrade, tracking device, heated and ventilated seats, auto-dimming mirror with garage door opener, and a rear parking assist camera. The Aston Martin website has more information about the Vanquish.