Test Drove a VANQUISH: A Mini Review
Discussion
INTRODUCTION
So there I was sitting in an Aston dealer waiting for the punctured tyre on my V12V to be replaced. (The tyre insurance having nearly paid for itself already!) I'd had the complimentary coffee. I'd looked over the posters on the wall and the cars in the showroom. Flicked over the magazines and newspapers.
Then I saw it. A Vanquish in the iconic Volcano Red sitting outside.
It's the only Aston I've never driven. Having driven a DBS a couple of months ago I was curious to see how things had moved on for its replacement model. So I handed over my licence and before I knew it I was off on my drive...
LOOKS
I'm not gonna lie. This is my current favourite modern era Aston Martin, in terms of looks anyway. It just looks stunning from every angle. Aggressive yet beautiful. Sporty yet classy.
Yes, it's BEGGING to be scratched / kerbed at your local multi storey but goddamn does the front splitter look impressive in carbon:
And speaking of carbon: this particular model was loaded with it. We're talking centre console, mirrors, even the roof. Yes it looks good but feeling how light it is truly impresses such as when lifting up the magnificent one-piece-of-carbon-fibre boot lid.
It's a car that has massive road presence and seems to be perfectly proportioned. I'd happily just stare at this thing every day and know I'd be smiling without even getting into the car. Let alone driving it.
INTERIOR
The first thing you notice are those quilted seats. They really set the car apart from fellow Astons and make it feel truly special. The modern dashboard looks fantastic and makes my car's one look cluttered (although I do miss having the classy analogue clock).
Then of course we get to the most stand out feature: the square steering wheel. I have to admit in all the pictures and videos it looks massive which makes it seem less appealing. Yet in real life, as soon as you've sat behind it, it just feels right. And again make the car feel more special.
Everything else is pretty much typical Aston Martin, and if you're a fan like I am, that's no bad thing. The jewel like dials, the anti-clockwise rev counter, the fact the display can fold back into the dash when not in use (while still able to listen to music) and the glass key slot makes me realise how much I'd miss these features and more if I were to get a DB11 in the future.
Hello gorgeous...
DRIVING FEEL
So being a Vantage owner I naturally look at the Vanquish and think it's gonna be too big, too heavy, too cumbersome. But it's just not the case.
For one thing I could adjust the seat to a better level of visibility than I can in my V12V which was surprising indeed considering how much bigger the car is. As soon as you started driving the car felt so much smaller which gave you more confidence in being able to place it where you want.
The feel of course is VERY different to my V12V. It's much smoother in both drivetrain and suspension (this is in the normal damping mode) and just far more effortless to drive. When I finished the drive in fact I felt like I could've just carried on driving to Scotland or the south of France. But let's not get out of hand here. I used to own a Bentley Continental GT. Amazing car, great performance and super smooth but not sporty in any way when it came to feel and handling.
The Vanquish was different. It felt like a great combination of luxury cruiser AND sports car. If I'd had chance to change the damping mode I'm sure even more so towards the sporty side. This was an involving car yet one you could drive for hundreds of miles relaxed. And that's before I'd even put my foot down...
PERFORMANCE + NOISE
Having had a V8 Vantage before the V12 model, the V12 really added the power and noise that set it firmly apart from its younger brother. What amazed me most about the Vanquish was how it did the same thing.
Put it in sports mode, take manual control and drop down a couple of gears, and try and wipe the grin off your face. Bear in mind this model I was driving was "only" the 6 speed version and yet I honestly couldn't see a difference in terms of performance between itself and my V12V. Makes sense I suppose because they both have the same 0-62 time.
The difference is that it's much smoother and more effortless. Of course this means it's slightly less involving, especially without the manual gearbox and clutch peddle. But considering a second ago I was wafting around and now I'm seriously moving it's a pretty much amazing combination and compromise.
And that noise. What can I say? It's another near 6 litre V12 and it sounds epic. Epic I say! I thought it might be subdued compared to my Vantage but nope. It puts that same smile on your face and no doubt everyone else's face as you drive by. Nothing like being able to quickly downshift a couple of gear before entering a tunnel and this car made full use of the acoustics in said tunnel.
Who knows if the fuse was even taken out (I don't think it was according to the sales person). I was just enjoying myself too much to think about it.
And let's talk about that wheel for a second. When you're pushing on, being able to securely grip the sides of the wheel like that just FEELS right. It really does. You have to drive one to understand what I mean.
CONCLUSION
So what can I say? The V12 Vantage obviously is more involving and more "scary" in that you never know when the beast might bite you if you push it a bit too much. And it's a classic of a car.
But you know what? I'm amazed at just how good that Vanquish is and how close it can get to the adrenaline rush of the V12V and yet still be far more comfortable to drive effortlessly and for long distances.
Considering how amazed I was with this 6 speed one I can only imagine how crazy the new 8 speeds are.
The price below on the Vanquish in question is actually for a model they already sold (that looked exactly the same funnily enough) but at that price I don't think I could've resisted the temptation in becoming one of the privileged TWO ASTON OWNERS. The car I drove is over £120k so thankfully is JUST about stopping me from having to file for divorce after the inevitable reaction from Mrs Maximus if I ended up with another Aston...
But it's seriously made me think about the DB11 in a different context, especially as I haven't heard a truly amazing exhaust note from it yet in any videos, and if an appropriate Vanquish comes along at the right price...
In the meantime I have this baby to look at and drive:
==========
So there I was sitting in an Aston dealer waiting for the punctured tyre on my V12V to be replaced. (The tyre insurance having nearly paid for itself already!) I'd had the complimentary coffee. I'd looked over the posters on the wall and the cars in the showroom. Flicked over the magazines and newspapers.
Then I saw it. A Vanquish in the iconic Volcano Red sitting outside.
It's the only Aston I've never driven. Having driven a DBS a couple of months ago I was curious to see how things had moved on for its replacement model. So I handed over my licence and before I knew it I was off on my drive...
LOOKS
====
I'm not gonna lie. This is my current favourite modern era Aston Martin, in terms of looks anyway. It just looks stunning from every angle. Aggressive yet beautiful. Sporty yet classy.
Yes, it's BEGGING to be scratched / kerbed at your local multi storey but goddamn does the front splitter look impressive in carbon:
And speaking of carbon: this particular model was loaded with it. We're talking centre console, mirrors, even the roof. Yes it looks good but feeling how light it is truly impresses such as when lifting up the magnificent one-piece-of-carbon-fibre boot lid.
It's a car that has massive road presence and seems to be perfectly proportioned. I'd happily just stare at this thing every day and know I'd be smiling without even getting into the car. Let alone driving it.
INTERIOR
======
The first thing you notice are those quilted seats. They really set the car apart from fellow Astons and make it feel truly special. The modern dashboard looks fantastic and makes my car's one look cluttered (although I do miss having the classy analogue clock).
Then of course we get to the most stand out feature: the square steering wheel. I have to admit in all the pictures and videos it looks massive which makes it seem less appealing. Yet in real life, as soon as you've sat behind it, it just feels right. And again make the car feel more special.
Everything else is pretty much typical Aston Martin, and if you're a fan like I am, that's no bad thing. The jewel like dials, the anti-clockwise rev counter, the fact the display can fold back into the dash when not in use (while still able to listen to music) and the glass key slot makes me realise how much I'd miss these features and more if I were to get a DB11 in the future.
Hello gorgeous...
DRIVING FEEL
=========
So being a Vantage owner I naturally look at the Vanquish and think it's gonna be too big, too heavy, too cumbersome. But it's just not the case.
For one thing I could adjust the seat to a better level of visibility than I can in my V12V which was surprising indeed considering how much bigger the car is. As soon as you started driving the car felt so much smaller which gave you more confidence in being able to place it where you want.
The feel of course is VERY different to my V12V. It's much smoother in both drivetrain and suspension (this is in the normal damping mode) and just far more effortless to drive. When I finished the drive in fact I felt like I could've just carried on driving to Scotland or the south of France. But let's not get out of hand here. I used to own a Bentley Continental GT. Amazing car, great performance and super smooth but not sporty in any way when it came to feel and handling.
The Vanquish was different. It felt like a great combination of luxury cruiser AND sports car. If I'd had chance to change the damping mode I'm sure even more so towards the sporty side. This was an involving car yet one you could drive for hundreds of miles relaxed. And that's before I'd even put my foot down...
PERFORMANCE + NOISE
===============
Having had a V8 Vantage before the V12 model, the V12 really added the power and noise that set it firmly apart from its younger brother. What amazed me most about the Vanquish was how it did the same thing.
Put it in sports mode, take manual control and drop down a couple of gears, and try and wipe the grin off your face. Bear in mind this model I was driving was "only" the 6 speed version and yet I honestly couldn't see a difference in terms of performance between itself and my V12V. Makes sense I suppose because they both have the same 0-62 time.
The difference is that it's much smoother and more effortless. Of course this means it's slightly less involving, especially without the manual gearbox and clutch peddle. But considering a second ago I was wafting around and now I'm seriously moving it's a pretty much amazing combination and compromise.
And that noise. What can I say? It's another near 6 litre V12 and it sounds epic. Epic I say! I thought it might be subdued compared to my Vantage but nope. It puts that same smile on your face and no doubt everyone else's face as you drive by. Nothing like being able to quickly downshift a couple of gear before entering a tunnel and this car made full use of the acoustics in said tunnel.
Who knows if the fuse was even taken out (I don't think it was according to the sales person). I was just enjoying myself too much to think about it.
And let's talk about that wheel for a second. When you're pushing on, being able to securely grip the sides of the wheel like that just FEELS right. It really does. You have to drive one to understand what I mean.
CONCLUSION
========
So what can I say? The V12 Vantage obviously is more involving and more "scary" in that you never know when the beast might bite you if you push it a bit too much. And it's a classic of a car.
But you know what? I'm amazed at just how good that Vanquish is and how close it can get to the adrenaline rush of the V12V and yet still be far more comfortable to drive effortlessly and for long distances.
Considering how amazed I was with this 6 speed one I can only imagine how crazy the new 8 speeds are.
The price below on the Vanquish in question is actually for a model they already sold (that looked exactly the same funnily enough) but at that price I don't think I could've resisted the temptation in becoming one of the privileged TWO ASTON OWNERS. The car I drove is over £120k so thankfully is JUST about stopping me from having to file for divorce after the inevitable reaction from Mrs Maximus if I ended up with another Aston...
But it's seriously made me think about the DB11 in a different context, especially as I haven't heard a truly amazing exhaust note from it yet in any videos, and if an appropriate Vanquish comes along at the right price...
In the meantime I have this baby to look at and drive:
Edited by Nijius Maximus on Wednesday 27th April 20:47
Thanks guys, glad you both liked the write up. It's always fascinating to drive various Astons and see how they're similar in certain respects but completely different in others. The Vanquish didn't disappoint!
Always preferred the looks and proportions of the longer Astons but the agility and involvement of the shorter ones. Could the 8 speed Vanquish be perfection??
Also, in case anyone's wondering: Stratstone DON'T negotiate on price...
Always preferred the looks and proportions of the longer Astons but the agility and involvement of the shorter ones. Could the 8 speed Vanquish be perfection??
Also, in case anyone's wondering: Stratstone DON'T negotiate on price...
Nicely put together, an interesting read, and a great looking car in that colour!
I had a similar tyre orientated experience a couple of weeks back - while was waiting for the winter/summer wheel change my dealer threw a key at me to take a DB9 GT for a test drive! I'd never driven a V12 Aston previously but much of what you write about the Vanquish being smooth, precise and epic rang bells for me with the GT, and it had the squarish One-77 steering wheel which looks peculiar but in hand I enjoyed it so much, like you say it feels right, and is rather special, to the extent that I was checking out the price of one when I got back!
I had a similar tyre orientated experience a couple of weeks back - while was waiting for the winter/summer wheel change my dealer threw a key at me to take a DB9 GT for a test drive! I'd never driven a V12 Aston previously but much of what you write about the Vanquish being smooth, precise and epic rang bells for me with the GT, and it had the squarish One-77 steering wheel which looks peculiar but in hand I enjoyed it so much, like you say it feels right, and is rather special, to the extent that I was checking out the price of one when I got back!
Mr.Tremlini said:
Nicely put together, an interesting read, and a great looking car in that colour!
I had a similar tyre orientated experience a couple of weeks back - while was waiting for the winter/summer wheel change my dealer threw a key at me to take a DB9 GT for a test drive! I'd never driven a V12 Aston previously but much of what you write about the Vanquish being smooth, precise and epic rang bells for me with the GT, and it had the squarish One-77 steering wheel which looks peculiar but in hand I enjoyed it so much I was checking out the price of one when I got back!
Remember: there's no such thing as the "free" coffee at an Aston dealer... You always end up buying something in the end... Or thinking about it. I had a similar tyre orientated experience a couple of weeks back - while was waiting for the winter/summer wheel change my dealer threw a key at me to take a DB9 GT for a test drive! I'd never driven a V12 Aston previously but much of what you write about the Vanquish being smooth, precise and epic rang bells for me with the GT, and it had the squarish One-77 steering wheel which looks peculiar but in hand I enjoyed it so much I was checking out the price of one when I got back!
I had the pleasure of driving a Vanquish recently at Millbrook, albeit only for a couple of high speed hoons along the mile straight that they have there.
It was at one of the Aston experience half days that was arranged by Stratstone, so I got to drive every model in the current line-up (DB9 GT, V12VS, V8S Manual and/or SS2, Rapide S). I must say that if I could have taken one of the cars home with me, it would have been the Morning Frost Vanquish. It was glorious.
Immediately prior to the Vanquish however, I had the chance to drive the V12VS down the mile too. The road was still wet from the earlier downpour we'd had, and getting the power down in that without the rear wheels spinning up was really not easy. It was a beast of a machine. The Vanquish however, seemed somewhat easier, despite the damp tarmac, to get the power down. I managed 162MPH (quite pleased with that) before the highly impressive CCM brakes were suggested might be deployed by the instructor. Pity the track was only one mile long - I could have carried on and on and on.
I LOVED the Vanquish, and if I had the money, I would buy one in a heartbeat. Stunning to look at, beautiful to sit in, and, albeit far too briefly, an utter joy to hurtle along in.
It was at one of the Aston experience half days that was arranged by Stratstone, so I got to drive every model in the current line-up (DB9 GT, V12VS, V8S Manual and/or SS2, Rapide S). I must say that if I could have taken one of the cars home with me, it would have been the Morning Frost Vanquish. It was glorious.
Immediately prior to the Vanquish however, I had the chance to drive the V12VS down the mile too. The road was still wet from the earlier downpour we'd had, and getting the power down in that without the rear wheels spinning up was really not easy. It was a beast of a machine. The Vanquish however, seemed somewhat easier, despite the damp tarmac, to get the power down. I managed 162MPH (quite pleased with that) before the highly impressive CCM brakes were suggested might be deployed by the instructor. Pity the track was only one mile long - I could have carried on and on and on.
I LOVED the Vanquish, and if I had the money, I would buy one in a heartbeat. Stunning to look at, beautiful to sit in, and, albeit far too briefly, an utter joy to hurtle along in.
NMax (abbrev cos I never learnt Latin) , I had a similar enlightening experience with a Vanquish test drive a week or two back and wrote about it here... much the same feeling and experience as you. Loved it.
Then yesterday I was given a new Porsche 911 Carrera S loan car when my DB9 went in for a warrant of fitness. It's a driver's car, no question, and it loves corners in a way I've never experienced with AM or the luxury sports cars I've owned or driven. Squat and powerful and a little too firm for my taste, yet a delightful experience.
But when I climbed back into my DB9 it was like coming home. Who cares that it waterboats around corners (by comparison) when it looks stunning and feels so good to drive.
The Vanquish is another step up again. Does the upgrading ever end!
, I had a similar enlightening experience with a Vanquish test drive a week or two back and wrote about it here... much the same feeling and experience as you. Loved it. Then yesterday I was given a new Porsche 911 Carrera S loan car when my DB9 went in for a warrant of fitness. It's a driver's car, no question, and it loves corners in a way I've never experienced with AM or the luxury sports cars I've owned or driven. Squat and powerful and a little too firm for my taste, yet a delightful experience.
But when I climbed back into my DB9 it was like coming home. Who cares that it waterboats around corners (by comparison) when it looks stunning and feels so good to drive.
The Vanquish is another step up again. Does the upgrading ever end!
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