Aston Martin's Vanquish S Delivers Supercar Performance in a GT Package
September 10 2019, Aston Martin Vancouver
Styling enhancements join power and handling upgrades
Few grand touring cars are as beautifully sculpted as Aston Martin's Vanquish, a modern-day legend amongst sports car aficionados. It's a style icon while its performance is otherworldly, but as the Gaydon, Warwickshire, UK automaker has long proven there's always room for improvement.
Now a new Vanquish S model builds on the regular Vanquish' breathtaking design while upping overall performance for what has become one of the most anticipated new models to hit the road so far this year.
"From the moment the original Vanquish was launched it became a modern icon. It propelled Aston Martin from an era of hand-built cars to one where craftsmanship and technology combined to create a new kind of great British GT," said Dr. Andy Palmer, Aston Martin President & CEO.
"In its second generation the Vanquish maintained that momentum with huge engineering advances such as its all-carbon fibre bodywork and compelling, contemporary styling. Now, the Vanquish S takes things a step further, confidently asserting itself within the Aston Martin range and distinguishing itself from the new DB11. A spectacular machine in every sense, the Vanquish S is a magnificent addition to our range."
Exposed carbon-fibre detailing enhances look and high-speed performance
The visual changes are subtle yet effective. A reshaped front splitter, grille surround, and rear diffuser are formed from exposed carbon-fibre, providing "a meaningful reduction in frontal lift with a minimal penalty in additional drag," says Aston Martin in a press release. Additionally, dual twin-tip exhaust outlets free up exiting gases and enhance the auditory experience, while options include painted graphics packages, 20-inch diamond-turned five-spoke alloys, and carbon-fibre hood louvres.
The real meat of the Vanquish S can be found under that hood, Gaydon's naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 now tuned to 580 horsepower at 7,000 rpm, which due to larger, "freer-breathing" intake manifolds results in a 12-horsepower gain over the regular Vanquish and "sensational throttle response," adds Aston Martin. Peak torque remains the same with 465 lb-ft arriving at 5,500 rpm, which is good enough for three-tenths off of the regular 568 horsepower Vanquish' zero to 100km/h sprint time at just 3.5 seconds instead of 3.8, ahead of an identical 323-km/h (201-mph) top speed. Still, there's much more to the Vanquish S performance advantage than mere straight-line acceleration.
Quicker more refined gearbox complements track-tuned suspension
Aiding responsiveness and overall refinement is a more polished eight-speed Touchtronic III automatic gearbox, which in Vanquish S tune provides quicker and smoother shifts for a "greater sense of precision and immediacy," adds Aston Martin, while the new model not only improves high-speed handling via aforementioned aerodynamic upgrades, but also from a retuned suspension, modified damper internals, revised spring rates, and new anti-roll bar bushings.
As with all Aston Martins the Vanquish S comes fitted with a level of luxury few peers can match, some highlights including an available Satin Chopped Carbon Fibre centre stack panel, Filograph quilted leather upholstery, or Bridge of Weir Caithness leather. Of course, the headrests are embroidered with the "Vanquish S" nameplate.
Starting next month both coupe and Volante convertible Vanquish S body styles will be available from Aston Martin Vancouver at 1770 Burrard Street, Vancouver. Contact Wilson Ng or Novelle Guo at 604-738-5577 for all the details.
