The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 11: Spring 2019 | Page 26

REVVED UP
A brief drive in the Aston Martin Vanquish S
“It truly is the ultimate
GT car”
Very brief as it turned out for
this writer, but not without its
pleasures. This is a car that
delivers on its promises. Not a new
model to the forecourts of course,
the Aston Martin Vanquish has
been consistently a top seller for
the brand and it is easy to see why.
The British manufacturer turned
up the dial to a maximum ten
when it created the Vanquish S. It
truly is the ultimate GT car.
Sharper styling, greater potency
and increased power define this
evolution of an illustrious model
line that originated from Aston
Martin’s legendary works in
Newport Pagnell and has proudly
served as standard bearer for the
marque’s sporting and stylistic
values since 2001 and now in its
second generation.
To emphasis the difference
Aston Martin have evolved the
Vanquish’s specification with
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THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2019
The looks
careful attention being paid to the
engine, chassis and aerodynamics
and thus creating a machine
honed to deliver and performance
than ever before. Automotive grand
touring doesn’t get any better than
this.
Under the skin
Central to the Vanquish S is the
naturally-aspirated 6.0L V12
engine, which now produces up
to 592bhp (up from 565bhp from
the standard version) and enjoys
sensational throttle response,
thanks to a revised, freer-
breathing intake system. These
larger volume inlet manifolds allow
a greater volume of air to flow into
the engine at high revs, creating
a relentless, say the company,
power delivery and a stronger feel
all the way to the distant but soon
achieved red line.
Building on this increased
intensity, the calibration of the
eight-speed Touchtronic III
transmission has been revised
to deliver faster gear shifts and
greater refinement at low speeds
for an enhanced sense of precision
and immediacy. Likewise, the
suspension, damper internals,
spring rates and anti-roll bar
bushes have also been re-tuned to
give the Aston Martin Vanquish S a
keener edge in the more sporting
suspension modes, without
compromising its ability to deliver
supple, cruising ride quality on
demand.
Visually the Vanquish S can
be readily distinguished by its
aerodynamic package. Built from
exposed carbon fibre, the revised
front splitter and rear diffuser
combine to deliver meaningful
reduction in frontal lift with a
minimal penalty in additional drag.
Combined with visually striking
new quad exhaust outlets the
Vanquish S has more aggressive
appearance overall, entirely fitting
for this most overtly sporting GT
production model.
Options include carbon fibre
bonnet louvres, forged 5-spoke
diamond turned wheels and a
choice of striking painted graphics
packs. A new Vanquish S badge
sits proudly on the tailgate as the
perfect piece of motoring jewellery.
The inside
Inside, the Vanquish S can be
further personalised with a choice
of spectacular new ‘Filograph’
quilted leather and the use of new
materials and finishes, such as
the Satin Chopped Carbon Fibre
fascia panel. Sumptuous ‘Bridge of
Weir’ Caithness leather offers an
added touch of luxury and tactility,
while Vanquish S embroidery on
the headrests provides a crafted
finishing detail.
The Aston Martin Vanquish S
is available in both Coupé and
Volante forms and truly delivers
what the appearance promises. If
you have an urgent need to cross
continents in a single bound, then
look no further. Superb.
By Geoff Maxted
www.drivewrite.co.uk