Aston Martin Project AM310 announcing the Vanquish 2012

Aston Martin is keen to provide world first exhibit for new projects at the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza in Cernobbio on the shore of Lake Como in Italy. It was the case for the exclusive One-77, and the V12 Zagato. This year, Aston Martin introduced the Project AM 310 in the Concept Cars contest and there was just scarce explanation until June 20th. On that date, Aston Martin unveiled the new Vanquish 2012 to be launched in the Summer and with first deliveries at the beginning of next year. The Aston Martin Project AM310 was indeed announcing the introduction of the Aston Martin Vanquish 2012.
The Vanquish is a new Aston Martin featuring the next generation of the renowned VH architecture as well as a significantly upgraded 6.0-litre V12 engine that is considerably more potent than before.

The design represents the latest take on Aston Martin’s iconic visual language. Vanquish unquestionably sees the brand continue its enviable tradition of producing some of the most beautiful sports cars in the world. Styling cues such as the elegant new waist, elongated side strakes and LED rear light blades are derived from the One-77 supercar.

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “Today’s Vanquish is the ultimate expression of Aston Martin design ethos, engineering innovation and technical ability. It offers luxurious, continent-crossing capability and pure driving excitement without compromise.

Aston Martin Project AM310 announcing the Vanquish 2012 lateral

Aston Martin Project AM310 announcing the Vanquish 2012 rear

“Bearing the same name as the iconic original Vanquish that did so much to cement Aston Martin’s reputation as a maker of great GT cars in the modern era, I believe the car unveiled today once again puts this great British brand at the top of its class.

“The new Vanquish mixes beautiful design with impressive technology such as the superb new infotainment system. This is the latest incarnation of everything we know, informed and developed from One-77. It is the ultimate Super Grand Tourer – confident and assured – and is the newest representation of Power, Beauty and Soul.”

Powered by a significantly revised naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine mated to the proven Touchtronic 2 six-speed automatic gearbox, the new car offers suitably impressive performance figures. The V12’s power peak of 565 bhp (573 PS) makes it Aston Martin’s most potent production model yet, outmuscled only by the strictly limited edition £1.2m One-77 supercar.

The raw statistics speak for themselves: 565 hp at 6,750 rpm, 620 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm, 0-62 mph (100 kph) in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 183 mph (295 kph) place the Vanquish firmly into supercar territory. Yet the brand’s team of engineers has been working towards economy and emissions improvements, too.
The latest engineering methods, innovative technologies and typically understated classic British design come together to make the muscular new Vanquish a true super GT. For instance, each body panel on the car is constructed from carbon fibre because of its high strength-to-weight ratio and flexibility of form. Meanwhile torsional rigidity is improved by more than 25%.

Practical improvements such as a newly designed and significantly more spacious cabin and a boot that, at 368 litres, is more than 60% larger than that of the DBS, ensure the new Vanquish can carry sufficient luggage for even the most ambitious grand tourist.

Designed and hand-built at Aston Martin’s global headquarters at Gaydon in Warwickshire the new Vanquish, available as a 2+2 or 2+0, sits atop a broad line-up of world-class sports cars including the exquisite DB9, sporty V8 Vantage and luxurious four-door Rapide.

Dr Bez said: “The Aston Martin range is stronger now than at any time in our 99-year history. The new Vanquish represents the perfect way to signal the beginning of our centenary celebrations next year.”

Priced from £189,995 RRP first deliveries of the new sports car are expected to begin in the UK and Continental Europe late in 2012. With the exception of the now sold-out One-77 supercar, and limited edition V12 Zagato, the new Vanquish sits atop Aston Martin’s model range.

Aston Martin Vanquish Specification

Body

Two-door coupe body style with 2+0 or optional 2+2 seating
New generation bonded aluminium and carbon fibre VH structure
Aluminium, magnesium alloy and carbon-fibre composite body
Extruded aluminium door side-impact beams
Bi-xenon headlamps
LED light blade rear lamps and LED side repeaters

Engine

All-alloy, independent quad variable camshaft timing, 48-valve, 5,935 cc V12
Compression ratio 11.0:1
Front-mid mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valves
Six three-way catalytic convertors
Max power: 573 PS (565 bhp) at 6,750 rpm
Max torque: 620 Nm (457 lb ft) at 5,500 rpm
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.1 seconds
Max speed: 295 km/h (183 mph)

Transmission

Rear-mid mounted, six-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic/sequential manual gearbox
Alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft
Limited-slip differential

Wheels and Tyres

Front: 9J x 20’’ Pirelli P Zero 255/35 ZR20
Rear: 11.5J x 20’’ Pirelli P Zero 305/30 ZR20

Steering

Speed-dependent electronically controlled rack and pinion power-assisted steering, 2.62 turns lock-to-lock. Column tilt and reach adjustment

Suspension

Lightweight aluminium front subframe with hollow castings
Front: Independent double wishbone incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
Rear: Independent double wishbones with anti-squat and anti-lift geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
Three-stage adjustable Adaptive Damping System (ADS) with Normal, Sport and Track modes

Brakes