Tuesday 12th November 2013

Vanquished: PH Blog

What beats driving an Aston Martin at the weekend? Driving two!

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It's not often I get excited about the prospect of crawling through London in a fast car at 3mph. It can't be too enticing to many people really. But when it's for the Lord Mayor's Show, it was rather more appealing.

Rain didn't dampen anyone's spirits!

Aston was involved as part of its ongoing centenary celebrations, with six journos joining the parade. We were allocated the Centenary Edition Vanquish, appropriately enough.

After a massively in-depth 'briefing' that did nothing to allay my fears of driving an Aston through throngs of people, we were hurried to the cars. And then waited. And waited. Then the rain came...

It's fascinating what you can learn about a car when stationary or moving very slowly. The Vanquish, for example, as the most beautiful and slender sun visors. They're useless at shielding the sun but lovely things nonetheless. There were lots of little things I discovered as the time ticked away. The seat warmers aren't quite as bum-meltingly effective as in the Fiesta ST. The numbers on the speedo are a bit too small. The infotainment screen should be bigger.

Looked good, sounded even better

But there's so much to love also. The (One-77 sourced) leather smells gorgeous, the gearbox paddles have a great feel and the B&O stereo is just fantastic. I've never been happier to be sat in a car going nowhere!

The rain didn't subside until after the lunch break, but a bit of sunshine (and not being followed by horses) allowed us a little immature indulgence. Screams of 'rev it!' shot from the crowd, and who could deny the rain-soaked masses? I can only hope the Vanquish looked as spectacular from outside, gently rocking on its springs and V12 blaring, as it felt from the interior (heated seats still on, of course).

It was a real privilege to be involved so thanks to Aston. And to all of those who braved the weather to see the parade, hope it was worth it!

Vanquish very good above 3mph too

But hitting a maximum of 6mph in a Vanquish is really rather exquisite torture. As luck would have it, Aston had sent us a Vanquish coupe for a few days. Paul had been furiously guarding the key since its delivery, but after a few cups of tea and some compliments about his beard, I managed to lure the Emotion Control Unit away.

I spent £80 in fuel yesterday afternoon. There was no real destination or aim, I just set off down the M3 and went wherever looked interesting. Of course that V12 dominates the Vanquish experience but, to an Aston novice, the surprise came from it being so engaging elsewhere. It's exciting on minor roads and relaxing on motorways, every aspect of the dynamics and drivetrain are perfectly suited to its role as a super GT. After yesterday, choosing between it and an SLS in my dream garage just got a whole lot harder...

Matt

[Schermerhorn]

Pure p*ssy magnet.

[CB125T]

[J4CKO]

Schermerhorn said:

Pure p*ssy magnet.

That would be inconvenient, leave it parked an come back to a car covered in women bound by a powerful magnetic force by their Pudendal area to the paintwork, I am not sure I would like that, do AM provide some kind of Spatula for removing them ?

Is it Aston Martin that magnetises the car in some way or ladies that magnetise themselves, is it based on the time of the month.

I think this phenomena really needs inestigating, I will do the research on behalf of Pistonheads, I require one of each of Aston Martins current range (not that little stupid one) and a brace of assorted Fannies.

[WokkaWokka]

J4CKO said:

Schermerhorn said:

Pure p*ssy magnet.

That would be inconvenient, leave it parked an come back to a car covered in women bound by a powerful magnetic force by their Pudendal area to the paintwork, I am not sure I would like that, do AM provide some kind of Spatula for removing them ?

Is it Aston Martin that magnetises the car in some way or ladies that magnetise themselves, is it based on the time of the month.

I think this phenomena really needs inestigating, I will do the research on behalf of Pistonheads, I require one of each of Aston Martins current range (not that little stupid one) and a brace of assorted Fannies.

Incidentally if anyone requires some sort of "spatula" to remove said females I am available.

[toppstuff]

What a beautiful car. A lovely thing.

Makes the DB9 look old.

[kambites]

That front splitter looks like something a 17 year-old would hack together in his mum's garage.

[anonymous-user]

Many years ago, whilst driving a V8 Vantage prototype, i was stopped at some traffic lights, and a marked cop car pulls up next to me (dual carriageway). The window winds down, and one of the two female officers on board shouts into my open window, "Give it some welly, we want to hear it roar!".

I shout back "Is this a sting, officers?" to which they replied, "Nawh, our shifts just ended!".

So of course i obliged ;-)

[CHN]

It just doesn't do it for me.

Whats going on????

Its an Aston and I'm like meh....

On no

[mickk]

kambites said:

That front splitter looks like something a 17 year-old would hack together in his mum's garage.

That's the first thing I noticed, but I think I could live with it.

[Bisonhead]

Was good to see the press car (bottom pic) at the SS on Sunday. Stunning looking thing with a fantastic interior.

Also paraded with the RAF lot a few years ago...weather was exactly the same. One lad had 2 bloody nipples by the end of it with all the marching/moving around!

[peterbredde]

Saw one at the Dubai Motor Show on the weekend. It was delicious.

[Axionknight]

BRB, selling my house to pay for one.

[Bebee]

Filth

[Kolbenkopp]

mickk said:

That's the first thing I noticed, but I think I could live with it.

Perhaps that has been designed with dual purposes in mind. The gentlemen further up the thread were thinking of some sort of spatula ?

[PompeyM3]

The blue Vanquish that was at Sunday Service was stunning. Aston Martin sure do make some beautiful looking cars.

[g3org3y]

CHN said:

It just doesn't do it for me.

Whats going on????

It's an Aston and I'm like meh....

Likewise tbh. They've just never really done it for me either.

[mikey k]

toppstuff said:

What a beautiful car. A lovely thing.

Makes the DB9 look old.

Note seen the new one?

[toppstuff]

mikey k said:

toppstuff said:

What a beautiful car. A lovely thing.

Makes the DB9 look old.

Note seen the new one?

Yes. Still feels old. Dash switches from a Matsui music system circa 1993. Dot matrix display.

Cramped too.

Vanquish is a considerable step forward IMO.

[mikey k]

toppstuff said:

Yes. Still feels old. Dash switches from a Matsui music system circa 1993. Dot matrix display.

Cramped too.

Vanquish is a considerable step forward IMO.

Each to their own
I dislike the Vanquish front lip, the quilted interior and the centre console
I think the DB9.2 is a much prettier car with cleaner lines and the interior feels more Aston

[toppstuff]

mikey k said:

Each to their own
I dislike the Vanquish front lip, the quilted interior and the centre console
I think the DB9.2 is a much prettier car with cleaner lines and the interior feels more Aston

Quilted seats are an option only.

Centre console has haptic switches and control surfaces. Very hi tech. Never seen in a car before.

Interior looks amazing in the right colours. In the flesh , the centre console makes the interior much more modern and the switches really look amazing.