DRIVEN: Aston Martin’s ‘Best Car Ever’

New Models

DRIVEN: Aston Martin’s ‘Best Car Ever’

The V12-powered Vanquish, which replaces the DBS in the spring, flexes its muscles with style and finesse.

AutoWeek | http://www.autoweek.com/ | Posted October 07, 2012 Gaydon, GB

The reborn Aston Martin Vanquish wears a carbon-fiber body and is powered by a 565-horsepower V12. (Photo: Aston Martin)

The Aston Martin Vanquish, coming next spring as a 2014 model, replaces the DBS in Aston's lineup. It wears an all-carbon-fiber body and a new V12 boasting 565 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque.

The powerplant is an all-new block and head with variable-valve timing, new fuel pump, bigger throttle bodies and a bigger intake manifold.

The muscular-looking body was inspired by the One-77 supercar concept. (Photo: Aston Martin)

As for the exterior styling, it was inspired by the mighty One-77. Aston CEO Ulrich Bez calls the Vanquish “the best car we've ever done.”

The car looks quite a bit more muscular than the DBS, with a more assertive front end and more sculpted body. The interior is new and is a huge improvement over previous Astons, and build quality is way up. The center console has the latest touch-sensitive switchgear and has a cleaner look. Headroom and legroom are up.

With that much power, you'd guess it drives well, and you'd be right. The V12 sounds glorious; the power is prodigious. With the torque peak lower in the band, the power is more accessible in everyday driving.

Aston says the car will hit 60 mph in about four seconds with a 183-mph top speed. There's just a ton of grip, improved with a launch-control program that you engage from the cockpit via a button. Weight distribution is roughly 50/50, thanks to most of the weight being between the axles, and the new steering rack provided spot-on feel with the right amount of weight.

The Vanquish interior is all new and a step up from past Aston Martin cabins. (Photo: Aston Martin)

The ride/handling mix has been tuned a bit more toward a grand-touring car than an all-out sports car, and the whole driving experience is one of effortless performance. The suspension is independent double wishbone, with coil springs front and rear. It's adjustable, with normal, firm and track modes, but we liked the normal setting better.

Overall, Bez says the car drives well enough to “make me smile.”

There's no manual transmission available, and that might cause some heartburn, but we thoroughly enjoyed the ZF six-speed automatic. At lower speeds it was smooth, just like a normal automatic. Jumping on the throttle once the road opened up, it gave off crisp, quick shifts.

Paddles are mounted on the steering column if you still want to shift yourself. Our two cents: We didn't miss a manual transmission.

In our opinion, Bez is right when he says it's the best car the company has ever done.

The car will launch in the U.S. early next year as a 2014 model. Price is $282,110, including a $2,600 gas-guzzler tax and $2,115 for destination and delivery.

This story originally appeared at Autoweek.com.