Return of the King: Aston Martin Vanquish Leads Luxury Lineup Once Again

The twelve-cylinder Aston Martin Vanquish has always been the jewel in the crown of the Aston lineup, when it first was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2001 and again when the second generation premiered in 2012. Both featured a massive, 5.9-liter V12 making around 500 horsepower. The third generation will stick with the formula, with a smaller but more potent powerplant.

Like Aston’s other supercars, the DB12 and Vantage, the Vanquish rides on a bonded aluminum chassis with double wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension. Aston says the body is stiffer than its DBS 770 Ultimate and has a longer wheelbase making this the true flagship of the brand.

The 2025 Vanquish features a new design language with a broad stance and a longer wheelbase than the outgoing model with an extended front end leading to an extremely raked windshield. The design team took inspiration from iconic Aston Martins of the past and present, Formula One cars and some of its project cars it built for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 1960s.

For instance, the Vanquish’s features a sculpted hood with heat-extracting louvres along with a “Kamm” tail that reduces wind drag at speed. It has a new front bumper, fender and larger grille design, delivering more cool air to the engine. New outer bumper vents send air around the nose, assisting with brake cooling.

New LED headlights introduce the brand’s new light signature and the Aston Martin wordmark is etched on the headlight insides. Like many legendary Astons, the Vanquish features a side strake design element with chrome accents. The package is completed by the panoramic glass roof, tinted to allow just 6 percent of the light in to protect occupants from the sun’s rays, and heat.

In back, the Vanquish features wide hips and an integrated spoiler to provide aerodynamic balance front to rear. The brand’s ‘Shield’ badge has been designed to appear as though it is floating at the rear of the car, framed by LED light blades as on the Valkyrie. It also comes with a newly developed stainless steel exhaust system with a quad tailpipe layout that saves about 25 pounds.

Underneath, a new front underbody tray and front crossmember add more solidity as do the new re-engineered and repositioned crossmember supports. Aston Martin also increased the lateral strength between the rear suspension towers, which helps with mounting the new adjustable Bilstein DTX dampers and enhances stability at high speed.

The power steering system has been recalibrated for better on-center steering feel. The Vanquish has variable, speed sensitive steering assistance that changes with the drive modes from GT to Sport and Sport Plus. The electronic rear differential splits power between the right and left, offering more performance in Sport modes and more stability in normal modes. It is also more effective when managing variable grip surfaces, like a road with patches of snow or ice.

That differential works with the new Electronic Stability Control that also enhances performance driving in sportier modes. The system offers four settings (On, Track, Off, Wet), that adjust to driving situations. Its carbon ceramic brakes work with the antilock braking system and four new electronic controllers monitor the traction, dynamics and other metrics. Lightweight, forged alloy wheels measuring 21 inches with Pirelli P-Zero tires are standard.

All of that is powered by a twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter twelve-cylinder engine, here making 824 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. That is all sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The combination is good for a top speed of 214 mph and a sprint to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds. Drive modes include Wet, Sport, Sport Plus, Track and Individual, where each setting can be customized.

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Aston Martin’s Evolution is Exciting

Aston Martin has gone from an auto industry punching bag to a leader in Formula 1-inspired design and engineering. And, they’re not just keeping that link on the track. The Aston Martin fleet is benefitting from the evolution, and, in turn, so are the company’s customers.