New Aston Martin Vanquish was shown in concept form last month
Aston Martin will revive the Vanquish name for its new flagship V12 model. Although there is still no official confirmation from the manufacturer, a Vanquish nameplate is featured on the rear of a production-ready car that was spied during the Diamond Jubilee weekend.
Aston Martin has remained tight-lipped about the official identity of its DBS replacement – codenamed AM310 – since Autocar exclusively broke the news of the existence last month, but reviving the Vanquish name was always believed to be the favoured option.
Among the potential names discarded by Aston Martin were DBS-R, Vignale and even Bulldog, which was last used on a William Towns-designed mid-engined concept in the 1980s.
Not only is the new Vanquish positioned to recreate some of the muscle car magic of the original – which was built between 2001 and 2007 – but it is also designed to lead Aston Martin’s centenary celebrations next year.
The model will usher in a host of styling and technical changes that will then filter down through the rest of Aston Martin’s range.
The biggest change over the current DBS is believed to be in the materials used for the construction of the chassis and the bodywork. Aston Martin is known to be considering using much more carbonfibre in its production cars.
That follows the lead of the One-77 hypercar, and so do elements of the new Vanquish’s styling, particularly on the side and rear.
The familiar Aston side vents run almost to the door handles in reference to the deeply sculpted doors of the One-77, and the new rear light design is also inspired by the £1.2m machine.
Aston’s existing V12 engine will propel the new Vanquish, with a power figure of more than 550bhp expected.
The Vanquish was displayed in AM310 concept form at the Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance last month. The final car will be unveiled at the Pebble Beach event in California in August, before it goes on sale next year.
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PRODIGY
A wasted opportunity
I would have chosen something completely new to signify that Aston Martin has had a new owner for a while now and this will be the first major design update and new model since the take-over (not counting the Cygnet)
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Orangewheels
DBS or DB9 replacement?
Do we know yet which model in the range this is replacing - the DB9 is now getting on rather a lot and the DBS was only really the DB9-S. Does this slot in where the DBS was and the Virage take the DB9 spot?
Either way, metallic Red is turning into this years concept car colour - a welcome change from the horrid browns of 2011.
Orangewheels.co.uk
Lanehogger
Orangewheels wrote: Do we
This new model is designed to fit in the class above the DB9/Virage/DBS family, which was occupied by the previous Vanquish and currently the Ferrari F12 and it's predecessors. See it as the Super-GT class as you like, something Aston tried to convice punters the DBS was in when all it was was nothing more than a 'GTi' version of the DB9. Finally, Aston is designing a stand-alone model which is worthy of the price and this class.
AutoChomp
I would of liked to see a new
I would of liked to see a new face for Aston Martin. They still look beautiful but that design has been around for a long time now. There is very little difference between the DB9, Virage and this. I'm not sure about the black (presume carbon) front. If it makes it in the final deisgn not in body colour I would be surprised.
With all the downsizing I was half expecting a new version of the old 3.2 Supercharged Engine to return for an entry level model. Maybe for the new DB9?
Citytiger
Not only is the new Vanquish
The Vanquish was never a muscle car in the true sense, the last one was the late 80's early 90's V8 Vantage.
Rich_uk
Something should change
Okay, AM can't afford a new design- fortunately it'll get away with it because it's a beautiful design. But I hope they've completely revamped the interior because I think it's a real let down forcar manufacturer like this.
The comments section needs a makeover... how about a forum??
K1NZ
Fantastic
I dont care what people say about missed opportunitys etc, if i had the money id buy an aston! Im a huge fan, and i think this is greaaat!
Symanski
Porsche does the same.
Why do we keep bashing Aston Martin when they bring out another car which meets their look? The classic nose, updated by Ian Callum, is one of the most distinctive noses on any car today.
I mean, it's not as bad as Audi!
And yes, I'd have one of these Astons.
wardotron
A great looking car, and I
A great looking car, and I suspect one that will move Aston Martin's design language on more than people give them credit for.
Also, I note the article makes no mention that Car Magazine scooped the new name. Poor form from Autocar, even if it is a rival.
*belch*
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