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Aston Martin Vanquish driven: Britain's new brute of a sports car costs £300k and is an assault on your senses By Ray Massey Updated: 00:01, 28 October 2024 e-mail View comments There's no beating around the bush. The new Aston Martin Vanquish is a brute. An old-school brute.
A noisy brute. A powerful brute. And a brute who’s massive V12 petrol engine exudes awesome raw power and those politically incorrect but nevertheless intoxicating exhaust fumes so frowned upon today in some quarters.
Those of a certain vintage who remember the deodorant adverts will remember the slogan: 'It’s the great smell of brute'. But the British sports car is an even greater assault on your senses when you have the privilege to take to the wheel. Aston Martin's all-new Vanquish driven: Ray Massey has taken to the wheel of Britain's latest GT sports car ahead of deliveries to the lucky 1,000 customers What does it cost? Prices start from a whopping £300,000.
Customers can also customise their cars via the bespoke ‘Q by Aston Martin’ personalisation service – pushing the final price up to beyond £400,000 and closer to £500,000. A maximum of 1,000 a year will be built to be 'uncompromising' - says Aston bosses - and sets a new benchmark for ‘refined comfort, supercar performance and pinpoint dynamics’ and is ‘the most potent flagship in its 111-year history.’ So having driven it extensively on all manner of roads, and with order books open now ahead of imminent first deliveries, let’s see if it lives up to the billing.
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Share this article Share HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to save money on car insurance: Ten top tips to cut the cost in just a few minutes Prices start from a whopping £300,000. Customers can also customise their cars via the bespoke ‘Q by Aston Martin’ personalisation service – pushing the final price up to beyond £400,000 and closer to £500,000 Performance: how does it drive? This car is a beast. Think of it as a thug in a well-cut suit.
Powered by a mighty 835 horsepower twin-turbo-charged V12 petrol engine, which is linked to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the new Vanquish accelerates from rest to 62mph in 3.3 seconds - and boy, do you feel it. And hear it.
It feels tauter, tighter, and faster than the Vanquish of old. But you do need to keep your right foot under control if you want to keep hold of your licence. It apparently has a top speed of 214mph - the highest ever in one of its non-special edition production cars – so short of getting out on a track I’ll have to take that on trust.
And even then, I’m not sure I’d have the nerve to test it to its limit. The rear-wheel drive car has five main driving modes: GT, Sport, and Sport-plus, Wet and Individual. Powered by a mighty 835 horsepower twin-turbo-charged V12 petrol engine, which is linked to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the new Vanquish accelerates from rest to 62mph in 3.
3 seconds It feels tauter, tighter, and faster than the Vanquish of old. But you do need to keep your right foot under control if you want to keep hold of your licence, Ray warns GT is great for relaxed grand tour cruising but is actually pretty sporty in its own right. Sport tightens the sinews and takes matters to another level.
Suddenly those far-away cars on the horizon are looming up right in front of you – as if they were moving in slow motion. Sport-plus simply blows your socks off. It’s the automotive equivalent of ‘11’ on the Spinal Tap amplifier.
Wet really does refer to weather conditions and individual allows personalised settings. And if that’s not enough, it also has a ‘boost-reserve’ function for ‘added power delivery’ to give it added oomph – and a roaring exhaust pipe soundtrack to match. Short of attempting warp speed, I’m not sure when you’d use it.
For the first time on a front-engined Aston Martin, the German-made ZF auto transmission is paired with an electronic rear limited slip differential. This gives greater stability and composure through fast sweeping curves. Seems to work.
As you might expect from any Aston Martin, this thing is a real looker...
The new rear end design gives a more menacing presence. This is a car with product placement potential for a Batman film rather than a Bond movie Exterior. How does it look? It’s a real head turner with proper presence and eye-catching appeal.
You’ll be notice. My car was in a fetching silver shade called Aluminite. It certainly combines contemporary elegance with a well-toned physique and a rakish profile.
The assertive design and a bigger grille add to its macho feel. Flush-fit door handles deploy electronically towards the hand with a simple press of the handle or the remote key. A 10.
25-inch driver display is clear, and the centre console has been lowered for greater convenience Inside: a first-class interior – with knobs on The luxurious interior is a significant step up – from business class to first class. While cosseting, it still feels roomy. Looking out on the world through the very wide windscreen was almost cinematic.
My Vanquish had a sumptuously smart dark green leather interior that smacked of a gentleman’s club in Pall Mall, contrasting well with the exterior silver paint. Very Bentley-esque in its execution. For the first time the new Vanquish has a full-length panoramic glass roof which allows the light to flood into its ultra-luxury interior.
And in a welcome change from the modern trend of many carmakers to make everything digital, it prioritises practical physical knobs, dials, and buttons where these are a better option than often distracting touchscreens. So, the most used controls can be operated intuitively and without the need to take your eyes off the road. And in a welcome change from the modern trend of many carmakers to make everything digital, it prioritises practical physical knobs, dials, and buttons where these are a better option than often distracting touchscreens Read More Ferrari's new £336,500 12Cilindri grand tourer reviewed Though a two-seater, there’s a handy car-width shelf behind the seats and bespoke luggage to fit.
A 10.25-inch driver display is clear, and the centre console has been lowered for greater convenience. The solid machined metal rotary dial for drive mode and gear selection, along with rollers and exposed fixings - for the likes of heating and ventilation – are practical and reassuringly cold to the touch.
Like a piece of automotive jewellery, the illuminated glass engine start/stop button sits centrally within the centre console. The automatic gearbox is controlled using a new central lever to select Drive, Neutral and Reverse. A separate ‘Manual’ button allows the driver to override of the automatic gearbox ‘for a more involving driving experience’ through the steering wheel-mounted paddles.
The new Vanquish is the fourth model to feature Aston Martin’s next-generation infotainment, an entirely bespoke system and developed in-house from scratch. For comfort, the car is equipped as standard with Sports Plus seats though even sportier carbon fibre performance seats are available as an option. Fetching new quilting patterns are used on standard seats and the rear parcel shelf.
If a carbon roof option is selected, the quilting from the rear parcel shelf is mirrored on the headlining. Leather luggage sets are available as an accessory. Other interior features include 3D mapping; wireless Apple CarPlay; and a top Bowers & Wilkins sound system.
The Vanquish get a new corner braking system designed for the track, but it also helped Ray keep a tighter line on the anchors entering a bend Stopping power With so much forward thrust at my toe-tips I was thankful for the carbon ceramic brake system which balances the equation by providing sufficient stopping power. Although not built for the racetrack, a corner braking system helps the car hold a tighter line into bends. Despite the awesome power, it’s designed to stick to the road, with a newly engineered chassis featuring an 80mm longer wheelbase.
Its tear-shaped structure combines a lightweight extruded aluminium body with carbon fibre panels, a bespoke chassis with state-of-the-art dynamics technology. Riding on big 21-inch forged allow wheels shod with noise-cancelling Pirelli P ZERO tyres (that can cut interior noise by up to half). Ray says the new Vanquish is a very worth halo car for Aston Martin.
.. The Cars & Motoring Verdict The new Aston Martin Vanquish may be a beast, but it’s also a beauty from James Bond’s favourite carmaker.
It’s a worthy ‘halo’ model for the brand based in Gaydon, Warwickshire. But in truth it’s more devil than angel. Will it fit in my garage? New Aston Martin Vanquish On sale: now First deliveries: imminent Price: from £330,000 Production run: 1,000 per year maximum Doors: 2, Seats: 2 DIMENSIONS Length: 4,850mm Width (with mirrors): 2,120mm Height: 1,290mm Wheelbase: 2,885mm Weight: 1,774kg Ground clearance: 90mm including air-dam (120mm excluding) Turning circle (kerb to kerb): 12.
7m Fuel tank: 82 litres Boot volume: 248 litres PERFORMANCE Engine: 5.2-litre V12 twin turbo petrol Power: 835 horsepower Drive: Rear-wheel drive Transmission: 8-speed auto with carbon fibre prop-shaft Acceleration (0-62mph): 3.3 seconds Top speed: 214mph Fuel economy: 17-20mpg (tbc) CO2 emissions: 312g/km Tyres/ Wheels: 21-inch forged alloy wheels with Pirelli P Zero tyres CARS & MOTORING: ON TEST Renault 5 EV: Can it recreate the character and charm of the original? Polestar 4 EV: The first car sold in Britain WITHOUT a rear window We take to the wheel of Ferrari's stunning new £336k 12Cilindri GT car China's new sub-£16k EV: Leapmotor T03 arrives in UK with low price Peugeot E-5008: Is the £49k SUV the choice for eco-conscious families? Ducati's new £30,000 Panigale V4 S costs the same as a small Mercedes Is the new £22k MG ZS hybrid family-friendly SUV a genuine bargain? This £100k Volvo has driven me to distraction: EX90 SUV driven VW Touareg is a luxury SUV for a lower price - why is it so unpopular? We test the new MG HS - Britain's favourite budget-friendly family SUV We test drive the £15,000 Dacia Spring - the UK's CHEAPEST new EV Suitable for UK climates: You can enjoy Mercedes CLE Cabrio year round Kia's affordable Picanto offers a fun and nippy drive in the big city MG Cyberster review - convertible EV costs £60k and is fun to drive 'Euros' winning Renault Scenic E-Tech gets Ray Massey's vote Ford Explorer: Is the £40k electric SUV a good buy for UK drivers? Polestar 3: Does the Tesla Model Y now have a real fight on its hands? Lotus Eletre is an EV Lamborghini Urus rival: The hyper-SUV tested Dacia's new Duster is here - has it lost its value-for-money appeal? Alfa Romeo Tonale review: Can this SUV bring some sporting thrill? In a world of SUVs, can the VW Passat re-energise the estate market? Ineos Quartermaster review: The new premium pick-up truck in town Peugeot e-3008 is attractive, sprightly and has a 326-mile range New £165k Aston Martin Vantage tested - is it better than a Ferrari? Can BMW harness the magic of the original Mini in an EV made in China? Is this the ultimate open-top super tourer? Aston Martin DB12 Volante New Fiat 600e EV family car is here, but should wait for the hybrid? VW Tiguan review: Brand's best-selling SUV is back - but is it better? Should you consider the Mini Countryman EV instead of the petrol? Another BMW goes electric - we test the new iX2 vs its petrol X2 rival The 2024 Range Rover Evoque plug-in hybrid is a home-grown winner Britain's favourite car DRIVEN - we review the best-selling Ford Puma BMW's i5 EV offers supercar performance in an exec saloon package We drive the £76,000 Kia EV9 - Korea's all-electric Range Rover rival Has the BMW M3 Touring been worth the three-decade wait? Our review Has Britain's most popular small car just got much better? New Corsa Volvo EX30 review: Sweden's new 'green' pocket rocket SUV rival Tesla Is Renault's new Austral E-Tech SUV the complete package? We drive it The Audi Q8 is annoyingly good for a 'sporty' coupe-style SUV Ferrari Roma Spider costs £210k - here's what you get for your money China's all-electric BYD Dolphin lands ashore - we test it on UK roads Our epic road test through Demark and Sweden in the new Polestar 2 New Abarth 500e convertible is a rare treat - it's electric and sporty Honda's new CR-V is bigger than its predecessor - but is it better? We beat the new Bond to test his new car: Aston Martin DB12 review Behind the wheel of Rolls-Royce's Spectre: We test the new EV Roller Skoda's crowning glory: Superb L&K 4x4 Estate with extras driven Maserati Grecale test - the SUV with 50% of sales projected for women Dacia's budget family car with seven seats! The £18,000 Jogger tested This Q8 is just great: We take Audi's new Sportback e-tron for a spin Enter the Dragon! BYD Atto EV is the Chinese company's first UK model Ferrari's first four-door family car: New £313,000 Purosangue driven Thrills without frills: £31,000 MG5 is one of the cheapest family EVs Renault's Arkana ticks all the boxes for what car-buying Britons want Can Peugeot's chic 408 hybrid crossover be a hit in the UK? We test it We drive the Civic Type R - the rebellious bad boy in Honda's line-up Rolls Royce Spectre: What's it lke to drive the first ELECTRIC Roller? Ineos Grenadier driven: Sir Jim Ratcliffe's £69,000 Defender Can you really live with a tiny Citroen Ami? Seven tasks in seven days Don't supersize me! Is the 'smaller' Volvo XC60 all the SUV you need? We pamper some passengers in the new £211k Bentley Bentayga New kind of Buzz! VW's electric MPV still feels like a hippy campervan Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Next Share or comment on this article: Aston Martin Vanquish driven: Britain's new brute of a sports car costs £300k and is an assault on your senses e-mail Add comment Some links in this article may be affiliate links.
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