Aston Martin has teased its next-generation GT flagship, and it not only brings back the storied Vanquish name but also the thunderous V12 engine with far more power than the outgoing DBS. As it edges closer to an unveiling in the coming months, the new Vanquish has been confirmed to pack 835hp and 1,000Nm of torque, which is a substantial 110hp and 100Nm increase over the DBS.
Those figures are significantly higher than even than the Ultimate edition of the DBS and will make the Vanquish one of the most powerful production Astons yet, outpunched only by the one-off Victor and the Valkyrie hypercar.
- New Vanquish’s twin-turbo V12 gets many upgrades
- Design is based on the Aston Martin DB12
- V12s are synonymous with Aston Martin, says strategy and product head
New Aston Martin Vanquish powertrain
The increase in potency comes courtesy of an extensive redevelopment programme for Aston's twin-turbocharged V12, the roaring soundtrack of which the company has previewed in a short video.
Aston has strengthened the cylinder block, redesigned the cylinder heads and reprofiled the camshafts. There are new intake and exhaust ports, too, and the spark plugs have been moved, which, in conjunction with more powerful fuel injectors, allows for "optimised combustion". The turbochargers, meanwhile, are now more responsive and run at a higher speed, boosting throttle response. Aston hasn't given confirmed whether the engine is still 5.2 litres, but it says the new engine will "achieve unprecedented performance and efficiency", hinting that the Vanquish will be quicker than the DBS.
The company indirectly confirmed the name of the new car in its affirmation that "all will be vanquished" by the new GT, which will be the first of a run of "exclusive and limited-availability models" to use the overhauled V12. The engine itself will be handbuilt in "strictly limited numbers", suggesting that the Vanquish will be made in lesser numbers than its DBS predecessor.
Chief technical officer Roberto Fedeli said: "The V12 engine has long been a symbol of power and prestige, but it's also a statement of engineering passion and technical prowess. With 835hp and 1,000Nm of torque, this unparalleled engine represents nothing less than the dawn of a dazzling new V12 era for Aston Martin.” Aston has previously spoken of its intention to transform its flagship GT into a bona-fide supercar, more clearly distinguished from its V8-engined Vantage and DB12 siblings.
New Aston Martin Vanquish design, chassis
Spy shots of the Vanquish reveal that it's based on the DB12, but with a wide-reaching visual makeover that points to its extra grunt: there are huge new vents on the bonnet to keep the V12 cool, along with a much wider front grille and a chunkier lower splitter for improved downforce. The rear end features a larger diffuser to improve aerodynamic performance, and the twin-exit exhaust setup has been replaced with four tailpipes, nodding to the extra cylinders.
The power increase will no doubt be matched by a comprehensive chassis overhaul, building on the setup deployed on the fearsome DBS 770 Ultimate. It will get uprated dampers and a boost in rigidity at both ends helping to improve cornering performance, and giving the supercar a broader scope of ability on track.
Although it shares its basic bodywork and some of its platform with the DB12, the Vanquish will be “completely different” to both the GT and the new Vantage, Aston Martin chief creative officer Marek Reichman told our sister publication Autocar UK previously. Crucial to Aston Martin’s desire to cement its status as a top-drawer sports and luxury carmaker will be ensuring that each of its front-engined models has its own distinct character and capabilities.
Alex Long, strategy and product boss, also emphasised that V12 engines are “synonymous” with Aston Martin. “People still love the twelves,” he said. “As much as the electrification revolution continues, a V12 has a different use case, and it’s still very much a huge emotional connection for our customers.”
Aston is expected to confirm the Vanquish this summer, possibly at the Monterey Car Week in August where, in previous years, it has revealed the Valhalla supercar, DBR22 speedster and Valkyrie Spider.
Also see:
Aston Martin DB12 video review
Aston Martin DB12 review: The Grander Tour
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