Since the “Vanquish” moniker first adorned an Aston Martin, it has become one of the most renowned nameplates in the automotive world, with this model denomination signifying the halo offering in the British luxury marque’s portfolio. Employing a 5.9-litre V12, endowed with 343 kW and 543 N.m of torque, the original Vanquish made its global debut in 2001, with the second generation introduced in 2012, before “Vanquish” would, ahem, vanquish from an Aston Martin when the latter iteration was discontinued in 2018.
However, now, this lauded moniker has made its return to an Aston Martin, once again signifying the pinnacle product in the Gaydon-based manufacturer’s model line-up. What’s more, though now equipped with breathing apparatus, it has retained a sonorous V12. So, let’s start there — the engine beating below the third-generation Vanquish’s elongated bonnet…
Completely reworked, for the 5.2-litre petrol unit driving the new Vanquish’s rear wheels (via an eight-speed automatic transmission), Aston Martin has redesigned cylinder heads, which now also feature revised camshaft, strengthened the cylinder block and reinforced the conrods, and repositioned the spark plugs. New intake and exhaust ports, in addition to fuel injectors with an enhanced flow rate, have also been equipped with the twin-turbocharged V12.
According to Aston Martin, the revisions made to the engine enhance the new Vanquish’s driving dynamics. However, it’s not only the latter that is improved upon…
Thanks to the engine upgrades, the latest iteration is quicker in a straight line, with the firm claiming the new model completes the obligatory 0-100 km/h sprint in 3.3 seconds, seven- and five-tenths of a second quicker than its first- and second-generation forebears, before topping out at a maximum speed of 345 km/h, making it 22 km/h faster than its 424 kW/630 N.m predecessor.
However, the improvement in straight-line acceleration and increased top speed can’t only be ascribed to the mechanical revisions made to the new Vanquish’s V12. The power and torque outputs play a significant role. So, just how much power and torque does the third generation’s V12 produce? Well, in short, 614 kW and 1 000 N.m, the latter of which is available from 2 500 r/min.
With all this power and performance, the new Vanquish will need a venerable braking setup to bring it to a halt. Well, that’s been seen to. The new Vanquish is equipped with a set of carbon-ceramic discs, 410 mm units up front and 360 mm items at the rear. Fore six- and aft four-piston callipers are also present.