Twelve cylinders. It’s a big deal, so much so that Ferrari named its latest front-engined flagship exactly that – 12Cilindri. If you want a V12, it’s either the black-nosed car from Maranello or this, the latest Aston Martin Vanquish. Yes, the Lamborghini Revuelto also has a dozen of cans, but the successor to the Aventador has become a plug-in hybrid. So, for the purists, it’s down to two.
Today, we’ll take a closer look at the British alternative to the 12Cilindri. This is the third Aston Martin to wear the Vanquish badge, after the previous one departed in 2018 for the DBS Superleggera, which today’s Vanquish replaces. Before all of those was the V12 Vanquish made famous by Agent 007 in Die Another Day, one of the most famous Bond cars.
The badge might be DBS or Vanquish (the latter sounds so much better, doesn’t it?), but we’re looking at the same line of V12 flagship GTs. Today’s Vanquish is ferocious in output, more aggressive-looking than its forebears and will cost you at least RM5 million fully-taxed in Malaysia, before options and customisation. Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur tells us that a few hundred grand of options is typical – no one buys base cars at this level.
It’s only right to start with what’s under that long hood. Like in the DBS Superleggera, Gaydon’s V12 is a 5.2-litre twin-turbo unit, but so much has been changed that it’s almost like a new engine. A strengthened block and conrods are the foundations, and sitting on that is a redesigned head with new cam profiles and intake and exhaust ports, repositioned spark plugs and fuel injectors with a 10% higher flowrate. A larger oil cooler increases heat rejection by 50%.
All of these work together to optimise combustion in a bid to survive. “Only by refining every stage of the internal combustion process has this unprecedented performance and efficiency been achieved, while ensuring this magnificent V12 meets the latest emissions legislation across global markets,” Aston says.
Meanwhile, the turbos have reduced inertia and spin faster by 15% to increase performance and throttle response, with a new ‘Boost Reserve’ function increasing boost pressure to provide instant response when needed. This is done during partial throttle (imperceptibly to the driver, Aston says) by balancing the throttle flap position (to restrict the intake flow), and the intelligent wastegate in the turbo (to fine tune the increased intake pressure).
The benefits are not just in theory. The Vanquish’s V12 produces a stunning 835 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque from 2,500 to 5,000 rpm. At 160 PS per litre, this is the highest specific output ever by the company, and it is also 65 PS/100 Nm more than the output of the final DBS 770 Ultimate.
All of that is sent to the rear axle via a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox, and an electronic locking differential (instead of a mechanical one, a first on a front-engined V12 Aston) improves response in concert with the stability control system. The 0-100 km/h sprint is done in 3.3 seconds and top speed is 345 km/h, the highest on an Aston Martin series production car.
AM’s bonded aluminium structure gets increased underbody bracing for the new Vanquish, which increases lateral stiffness by 75% over the DBS 770 Ultimate. A new engine cross brace plus front undertray and crossmember have resulted in a more rigid front end, increasing damper mounting stiffness and improving steering feel and response – these are further enhanced by the recalibrated EPS and the fitment of a non-isolated steering column.
At the other end, Gaydon’s chassis boffins increased lateral bracing between the shock towers and added a thicker undertray for better stability and handling balance. The Vanquish rides on front double wishbones and rear multilinks, equipped with thicker anti-roll bars and Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers first seen on the DB12. The trick dampers ‘swallow bumps and flattens slopes’.
We come to braking. The standard-fit carbon ceramic discs measure 410 mm at the front and 360 mm at the rear. The new ABS incorporates Integrated Brake Slip Control (IBC) to reduce trail braking distances, Integrated Traction Control (ITC), Integrated Vehicle Control (IVC) and an Integrated Vehicle Dynamics Estimation (IVE) algorithm to optimise the ITC and IVC’s performance. The new Corner Braking 2.0 enhances trail braking stability, enabling a tighter line coming into a corner. Phew!
Aston Martin has a long history of making beautiful cars, but the problem with having a good template is to be wedded to it. Do you agree with me that while the new Vanquish is still immediately recognisable as an Aston, it also looks more aggressive, more… devilish? It’s certainly more angular than what we’re accustomed to from Gaydon – see that Kammback and rear quarter window that’s slightly… Nissan GT-R?
The biggest surprise is at the back, where a floating black ‘shield’ is flanked by a pair of seven LED bars so small that they could’ve been called matchsticks. Below that is a massive diffuser with two large pipes on each side (a 10.5 kg lighter titanium exhaust system is optional).
The cross-spoke 21-inch forged wheels seen in the official photos are nice, but the star-spoke rims you see here are great for showing off the mega brakes and match perfectly with this car’s white paintjob, I think. Pirelli P Zeros with noise cancellation technology is the OE tyre.
Inside, you can see that Aston is taking a different cockpit approach from Ferrari – there are only two screens but a lot of buttons. It follows the path taken by the DB12 and Vantage, but there are unique touches such as a full-width chrome strip above the air vents and a centre protrusion that looks like it’s hugging the touchscreen. The solid metal drive mode selector that also houses the illuminated glass starter button is a nice touch. Audio is via a 15-speaker, dual-amp Bowers & Wilkins system.
The seats are as per the Vantage – you can choose from Sport Plus Seats with unique quilting or carbon fibre-backed Performance Seats, optioned here in retina-searing Cote d’Azure Blue. This example has the carbon roof option, but a panoramic glass roof comes as standard. Behind the seats is a set of fitted luggage that’s probably more expensive than my car.
There you go, the new Aston Martin Vanquish. Production is limited to less than 1,000 units per annum, and deliveries are happening as we type. Prices start from RM5 million (with duties) before options and customisation, and buying from the official distributor gets you a three-year factory warranty, with the option to extend coverage for up to 20 years.
Aston Martin Kuala Lumpur tells us that it already has a couple of firm orders for the Vanquish, and the names include returning enthusiasts as well as new-to-brand customers, perhaps lured by the 12 cylinders. The first batch will reach our shores in the first quarter of 2025. If you’re into big British GTs, there’s another one just around the corner – the Bentley Continental GT Speed might not have a V12, but it’s more luxurious, faster to 100 km/h and has 81 km of pure electric drive. Which is more your style, fellow dreamer?
GALLERY: 2025 Aston Martin Vanquish in Malaysia
GALLERY: 2025 Aston Martin Vanquish official images
The post Aston Martin Vanquish launched in Malaysia – V12 ‘Super GT’ with 835 PS, 1,000 Nm; 345 km/h; fr RM5m appeared first on Paul Tan’s Automotive News.
