The Aston Martin Vanquish is a grand tourer introduced by Aston Martin in 2001 as a successor to the Virage. The first generation, the V12 Vanquish, was designed by Ian Callum, unveiled at the 2001 Geneva Motor Show and produced from 2001 to 2007 as the flagship of the marque.
Aston Martin Vanquish at a glance
| First generation | 2001–2007; V12 Vanquish, V12 Vanquish S from 2004 |
|---|---|
| Designer | Ian Callum (first generation); Marek Reichman (second generation) |
| V12 Vanquish engine | 5,935 cc 60-degree DOHC V12, 89 by 79.5 mm; 460 hp (466 PS) at 6,500 rpm, 542 N·m at 5,000 rpm |
| Chassis | bonded aluminium composite with a carbon-fibre backbone developed with Lotus |
| Transmission | 6-speed automated manual |
| Second generation | introduced 2012, on the VH platform, made at Gaydon; Vanquish S in 2017 |
| Succeeded by | the DBS Superleggera in 2018 |
| Third generation | announced September 2024 |
| Film | a modified V12 Vanquish was driven by James Bond in Die Another Day (2002) |
This page is based on English Wikipedia only (a trusted source), so the facts were not cross-checked against a second source.
History of the Aston Martin Vanquish
The Vanquish was designed by Ian Callum and drew inspiration from the DB4 GT Zagato, projecting a more aggressive presence than Callum’s DB7 Vantage. The production car closely resembled the Project Vantage concept that debuted with a V12 at the North American International Auto Show in January 1998; that concept, the first Aston Martin design wholly by Callum, evolved directly into the V12 Vanquish.
First generation, 2001–2007
Underneath, the V12 Vanquish had a unique bespoke bonded aluminium composite chassis with a carbon-fibre backbone developed in partnership with Lotus, an advanced independent suspension, and a more highly tuned version of the naturally aspirated 5,935 cc Aston Martin V12 that had debuted in the DB7 two years earlier. It was available as a 2+0 and 2+2 and only as a coupé. The V12 produced 460 hp at 6,500 rpm and 542 N·m at 5,000 rpm, controlled by a drive-by-wire throttle and driven through a 6-speed automated manual transmission. In 2004 a mildly updated version, the V12 Vanquish S, introduced a more highly tuned engine and more track-oriented ride and handling, and the V12 Vanquish was indirectly replaced by the DBS after 2007. A specially modified V12 Vanquish was driven by James Bond in the 2002 film Die Another Day.
Second generation, 2012–2018
The second-generation Vanquish was introduced in 2012 on Aston Martin’s existing VH platform, like that of the DB9. Designed by Marek Reichman and made at Gaydon, it was meant to fill the shoes of the discontinued DBS. In 2017 a Vanquish S with a more powerful engine and improved aerodynamics was launched, and the second generation was succeeded by the DBS Superleggera in 2018.
Third generation
In September 2024 Aston Martin announced a third-generation Vanquish as the successor of the DBS Superleggera.
Design and features
- First-generation chassis: bonded aluminium composite with a carbon-fibre backbone, developed with Lotus.
- Engine: a naturally aspirated 5.9 L V12.
- Gearbox: a 6-speed automated manual.
- Second generation: the aluminium VH platform.
Aston Martin Vanquish versions
- V12 Vanquish (2001–2005): 460 hp, coupé only, 2+0 or 2+2.
- V12 Vanquish S (2004–2007): a more highly tuned version.
- Vanquish and Vanquish Volante (2012–2018): second generation, with a Vanquish S in 2017.
- Vanquish (2024): the third generation.
More Aston Martin cars are in our Aston Martin collection, for example the Virage it replaced, the DBS, the DB9 and the One-77.
Aston Martin Vanquish questions and answers
When was the first Aston Martin Vanquish built?
From 2001 to 2007, unveiled at the 2001 Geneva Motor Show.
Who designed it?
Ian Callum designed the first generation; Marek Reichman the second.
How powerful was the V12 Vanquish?
460 hp (466 PS) from a 5,935 cc V12.
Was it in a James Bond film?
A modified V12 Vanquish was driven by Bond in Die Another Day (2002).
What came after?
A second generation in 2012 on the VH platform, and a third generation announced in 2024.
Video: 2013 Aston Martin Vanquish (573hp) – DRIVE & SOUND (1080p)
Video by Automann-TV on YouTube.
Sources
- Aston Martin Vanquish, English Wikipedia: first, second and third generations
_(52227521483).jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}