Aston Martin as Vanquish Sports Car
Welcome Back, V12
The new Aston Martin Vanquish is powered by a remarkable 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine, delivering a staggering 824 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. This represents nearly 200 more horsepower and about 220 more lb-ft of torque than the previous V12 model, the 2023 DB11. With such immense power in a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, the Vanquish accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds. This is slightly faster than the DB12 and Vantage, which use turbocharged V8 engines, hitting 60 mph in 3.5 and 3.4 seconds respectively.
When driving, if you need an extra boost of power, you can activate the new Boost Reserve function. This feature releases additional turbocharger pressure to give you immediate power. The Vanquish also comes equipped with massive carbon-ceramic brakes—16.1 inches at the front and 14.2 inches at the rear—along with six-piston front calipers and four-piston rear calipers, ensuring it can slow down efficiently from its top speed of 214 mph.
The Vanquish is not just about speed; it also focuses on handling. The new model boasts a 75% increase in lateral stiffness compared to Aston’s previous flagship, the DBS 770 Ultimate. This improvement is due to a bonded aluminum chassis, a new engine cross-brace, and additional strengthening materials.
Inside, the Vanquish offers a luxurious experience with rich leather, sporty carbon fiber, and machined metal surfaces. It continues the button-heavy design of the Vantage and DB12, providing tactile controls instead of relying solely on a touchscreen. The 10.3-inch display includes wireless Apple CarPlay, and physical buttons, knobs, and toggles enhance the feeling of luxury.
For safety, the Vanquish includes features such as forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and a 360-degree camera system. However, it does not offer a front-axle lift system, which might be useful to avoid damaging the carbon-fiber front lip.
Edmunds’ Opinion
The return of the V12 engine in the Aston Martin Vanquish is highly anticipated, and the powerful engine promises an exhilarating driving experience. While advanced features like adaptive cruise control are included, recent studies suggest that they may not significantly enhance safety compared to crash avoidance systems such as automatic emergency braking.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) have found that partial automation systems, like adaptive cruise control, often provide little added safety benefits. These features are more about convenience than actual crash prevention. The studies show that systems which actively intervene in emergencies, such as automatic emergency braking, are more effective in reducing crash rates compared to partial automation features.
For instance, data from these studies indicate that while adaptive cruise control can encourage safer driving behaviors, it does not directly prevent accidents as effectively as crash avoidance technologies. The IIHS has found that advanced driving aids could potentially be improved to better prevent crashes.
In summary, while partial automation systems might make driving more comfortable, they are not a substitute for active safety features that directly intervene to avoid collisions. Newer systems may offer better safety, but current data suggests they should not be mistaken for fully self-driving technology.
