MOTORING
Last year was the year of the new Aston Martin DB11 but it’ s not the only car the firm sells. Sitting above it in the range is the older Vanquish, a car pitched as a GT supercar rather than the sports car remit of the DB11. There was just one problem with the launch of the DB11. It was so good, why spend extra on a Vanquish? Now, Aston Martin has a solution: the Vanquish S. A better, faster, even tastier take on the firm’ s pinnacle car. It costs £ 199,950 and we’ ve just driven it. Does it solve Aston’ s rather enviable dilemma?
Hit me with some facts on the Vanquish S? Power is up for the Vanquish S, from 573hp to 600hp. The 6.0-litre V12 remains turbo-free, though, unlike the turbocharged DB11; the increase is achieved through old-school tuning. Aston has also recalibrated the gearbox, uprated the suspension and created a new aerodynamic package. Changes aren’ t major, but the engineering work behind them is …
What’ s the thinking behind the Vanquish S? Aston’ s intention with the Vanquish S is to hone and perfect the existing car, which was launched in 2013. Make it feel more like a car worth the £ 45,000 premium over the DB11 that’ s stealing all the Aston Martin thunder. The Vanquish is an achingly gorgeous car, so Aston wasn’ t about to alter this. It simply wanted to make it more of a car for connoisseurs.
What does it look like? Aston’ s Vanquish S press demonstrator looks special because it’ s covered in carbon fibre and subtle graphics. But all Vanquish S models look smart because of their enhanced front-end aero pack. A more aggressive front splitter pairs with a bigger diffuser at the rear( they’ re carbon fibre as standard), with quad crackle-black exhaust tail pipes adding the finishing touch. A meaner, moodier Vanquish: it’ s such a beautiful car, doing anything extra would spoil it. This hones it expertly.
What does the aero stuff do? The tweaks to the aerodynamics at the front cut lift significantly – and because the car is now pressed into the ground more firmly, understeer is reduced. The rear diffuser complements the enhanced front end, creating a car Aston says is just as nicelybalanced as the regular car … but sportier and sharper with it.
That dash looks a bit old compared with the DB11, though … The interior feels painfully aged compared with a DB11. Sure, it’ s impeccably assembled, thanks to the skilled several-thousands at Aston’ s Gaydon HQ. But the spidery instruments, chronically dated infotainment screen, Ford switchgear, hard-toread centre console, all make it feel a decade old at its core. It’ s the elephant in the room you can’ t ignore. R
SAVILE ROW STYLE MAGAZINE 71