Aston Martin Vanquish

Briefing

The Aston Martin Vanquish V12 was fitted out with the following gadgets by Q-Branch:-

• Two under-hood mounted auto-aiming machine guns
• Front firing rockets behind the main air intake grille
• Seat with spring loaded ejection system
• Enhanced waterproofing
• Under-chassis air cannons
• Central console mounted gadget controls
  

With a maximum speed in excess of 190 mph and a 6.0 litre V12 engine developing more than 450 horsepower the all new Aston Martin V12 Vanquish will go on sale during the second quarter of next year. Available as either a 2+2 or 2 seat coupe the V12 Vanquish will accelerate to 60 mph in under 4.5 seconds and 100 mph in under 10 seconds. In conjunction with the electronic drive-by-wire throttle system, finger tip controlled Formula 1 style paddles enable almost imperceptible gear changes.

The distinctive radiator grille and lower air intake which have become the hallmarks of a modern Aston Martin are flanked by bold and distinctive driving lamps and turn indicators. Both the front wings and hood panels incorporate a series of finely detailed compound curves which sweep back to intersect dramatically with the main cabin form. The rear fenders also flare out from the bodyside, extending back to a wide rear deck that supports the upper cabin, reminiscent of the DB5.

The main body structure of the new V12 Vanquish including the floor and the front and rear bulkheads is formed from extruded aluminium sections bonded and riveted around the central transmission tunnel which is constructed entirely from carbon fibre. Single piece composite inner body side sections with carbon fibre windscreen pillars are also bonded to the central structure to create a high strength safety cell.

Specification

Engine: All alloy twin overhead cam 48 valve 5935cc 60° V12. Compression ratio 10.5:1. Visteon twin PTEC engine management controlling fuel injection, ignition and diagnostics. Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system.

Transmission: Six speed manual gearbox with Auto Shift Manual/Select Shift Manual (ASM/SSM) electro-hydraulic control system. SCP/CAN interface to engine management control system. Limited slip differential 3.69:1

Steering: Rack and pinion, variable power assistance 2.73 turns lock to lock. Column tilt and reach adjustment.

Brakes: Front: Ventilated cross drilled steel discs 355mm diameter with four piston service caliper.

Rear: Ventilated steel discs 330mm diameter with four piston service caliper and separate handbrake caliper. Teves vacuum assisted anti-lock braking system. Electronic brake and engine intervention traction control system.

Suspension: Front: Independent double aluminium wishbone. Coil springs, monotube damper and anti-roll bar.

Rear: Independent double aluminium wishbone. Coil springs, monotube damper and anti-roll bar.

Body: Two door style with 2+0 or 2+2 seating. Extruded aluminium and carbon fibre bonded monocoque. Composite front and rear crash structures. Aluminium skin panels. Extruded aluminium door side impact protection beam. Blade mounted washer jets. Boot space of 0.24 cu m (estimated) Interior: Connolly leather and Alcantara interior. Electrically controlled front seats incorporating seat heaters. Air conditioning. Heated rear screen. Six speaker Alpine stereo radio cassette system with 6 CD autochanger. Alarm and immobiliser system with remote central locking and boot release. Tyre pressure sensing system. Automatic rain sensing wiper operation. Automatic headlamp operation. Auto dimming rear view mirror. Trip computer. Instrument pack message centre display. Battery disconnect switch.

Wheels and Tyres: Lightweight forged aluminium alloy wheels 9J x 19 (front), 10J x 19 (rear),

Yokohama 255/40 ZR19 tyres (front), 285/40 ZR19 (rear)

Length: 4665mm.

Width: 1923mm.

Height: 1318 mm

Kerb Weight: 1820 kgs (estimated)

Wheelbase: 2690 mm.

Maximum power: 336kW (450 bhp) @ 6500 rpm.

Maximum torque: 556 Nm (410 lb. ft) @ 5000 rpm.

Acceleration: 0-100 km/h (62mph) 4.7 seconds

Maximum speed: 306 km/h (190mph)

History

The new name marks the end of an era. From 1970 Aston Martin, the pearl in Ford’s Premier Automotive Group, has produced precisely 5,016 8-cylinder engined cars. The last of these rolled off the production line in July. So long V8. We liked you, but now you’re too old and surplus to requirements. Gentlemen addicted to power are making room for the next generation: the V12 Vanquish. The first part of the name gives the clue to the engine, while the second part, Vanquish, sounds aggressive and sophisticated at the same time. The official launch of the 4.67 m long and 1.93 m wide king-size coupé is planned for the Geneva Motor Show 2001. In looks, it is very much like the Project Vantage study unveiled two years ago.

The originally planned launch at the Birmingham Motor Show was scuppered by details. The newly appointed Aston Martin Managing Director, Dr. Ulrich Bez, overruled a few of the body details by the Jaguar designer, Ian Callum, and ordered them to be revised. Minor changes in the transition from the nose to the wings and on the outside mirrors are testimony to the perfectionism of a top manager. Yet these details are far less jarring than the howlers that Callum and his team have produced inside, which features four ventilation nozzles imported from the Ford Ka, together with a silvery central console direct from the Starship Enterprise. This is outrageous and will not be included on the production model. Nor will the reflecting numbers of the classic dial instruments or the rather awkward-looking steering wheel.

The technical package, though, will be retained exactly as in the version that we were honoured to drive. It exhibits the true brilliance of a British thoroughbred. In order to transplant traditional values of classical sports car construction properly into the 21st century, the latest production techniques have been used. The lightweight Vanquish chassis is made up of bonded aluminium and carbon elements, exclusively developed by Lotus Engineering. This gives extreme bend and torsion strength as well as producing integral crash boxes for maximum passive safety.

The body is completely hand built in aluminium and painted in multiple coats in any desired colour. The shape is unmistakably Aston Martin and aerodynamically optimised, with a completely encased underfloor.

The massive rear ends in a lift-reducing diffuser. The car runs on 255 and 285/40ZR19 wheels with all-round independent suspension by means of double aluminium wishbones. An on-board computer continuously monitors tyre pressure and temperature.

But the zenith of the technical delights is a highly prestigious 12-cylinder engine - the first to be produced under the Aston Martin label - with a capacity of 5,935 cc, four overhead camshafts and 48 valves. It has been jointly developed with Cosworth, who also produce the engine, and has been available - in a slightly more house-trained version - in the DB7 Vantage since 1999.

The alloy engine meets the most stringent exhaust gas standards. For the Vanquish, the weight has been reduced and the power boosted to 450 bhp. The driver has an incredible maximum torque of 556 Nm at his disposal at 5,000 rpm. Front airbags, ABS, electronic brake power distribution and a disconnectable traction control pay heed to market requirements: 30% of the annual 300 units to be produced are intended for export to the USA.