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| Aston Martin Vanquish | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Aston Martin Lagonda Limited |
| Model code | AMV03 |
| Production |
|
| Assembly | United Kingdom: Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire |
| Designer | Ian Callum[1] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Grand tourer |
| Body style | |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 6-speed automated manual 6-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm (105.9 in)[2] |
| Length | 4,665 mm (183.7 in)[2] |
| Width | 1,923 mm (75.7 in)[3] |
| Height | 1,318 mm (51.9 in)[2] |
| Kerb weight | |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Aston Martin Virage |
| Successor | Aston Martin DBS |
The Aston Martin Vanquish is a two-door grand touring coupe car. The first generation of the Aston Martin Vanquish was produced between 2001 and 2007 by the British automaker Aston Martin.
The Vanquish serves as the successor to the first generation Virage, which Aston Martin produced between 1989 and 2000. Styled by the designer Ian Callum, the Vanquish was previewed by the "Project Vantage" concept car, which was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show in January 1998. The production version of the Vanquish was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in February 2001. The Vanquish debuted with a 5.9-litre V12 engine with two transmission choices—a six-speed manual and a six-speed automated manual.
A facelift was implemented in 2004, which involved improvements to its power output, revisions to its design, improved aerodynamic efficiency, as well as a name change to "Vanquish S". The car appeared in the 2002 film Die Another Day, for which it received widespread public interest and earned the number three spot on the Best Film Cars Ever. The Vanquish also appeared in the 2003 film The Italian Job and has appeared in at least four video games.
The Vanquish was discontinued in 2007, after a six-year production run during which 2,589 examples had been produced; its replacement was the DBS. The Vanquish nameplate was resurrected in 2012, based upon DB9's chassis and platform.
Development
In January 1998, during the Detroit Motor Show, Aston Martin unveiled the "Project Vantage", a concept car.[7][8] The Project Vantage was conceived in early 1997, at a meeting between Jacques Nasser—the chief executive officer (CEO) of Ford, Bob Dover—the CEO and chairman of Aston Martin, as well as senior executives at Jaguar Cars. Nasser proposed the idea of a concept car, to which the executives responded that they did not want one. But when the same proposition was presented to Dover, he expressed interest in the concept.[9]
What nobody actually knew outside Astons was that the Project Vantage was actually the prototype for the Vanquish. We knew that if we got a lot of support at the Detroit Show that we could build a car, which we obviously went on to do.
—Ben Dover[10]
Because Aston Martin—at the time—had no design department of its own, the company commissioned a design from the Kidlington-based racing team Tom Walkinshaw Racing Design (TWR), whose chief designer, Ian Callum, designed the DB7. Callum's design was mostly influenced by the DB7 and the DB4 GT Zagato. The DB4 GT Zagato inspired the Project Vantage's rear wings, which the journalist James Taylor described as "reminiscent of an animal ready to pounce", and its distinctive front-wing air vents with its prominent strake. The DB7 inspired the Project Vantage's curvaceous front fascia, low stance and tail-lights. Callum's team was also responsible for the interior design of the Project Vantage, who prioritised functionality over luxury.[11]
After the 1998 Detroit Motor Show, Aston Martin began assembling the Vanquish's business case. The team subsequently took it to the Geneva Motor Show for the vehicle programme approval. The Project Vantage remained a one-off concept car, but its nature inspired the Aston Martin executives and plans were implemented to put the car into series production.[10] The development of the production version of the Vanquish began in March 1998, after the Geneva Motor Show. Ian Minards, whom Jaguar appointed as lead designer for the XJ8 project, served as the chief programme manager. He stated that, during development, the codename of the Vanquish was "Project Bolton" before it received its "AMV08" designation.[12] Dover stepped down as Aston Martin CEO in mid-2000 and was replaced by Dr. Ulrich Bez in July of that year.[12][13]
Because of the more advanced technology incorporated into the Vanquish, it required more extensive pre-production testing than usual. The development costs were rumoured to be much greater than the initial budget, but Aston Martin stated at the Vanquish's launch that fifty prototypes had been produced. These cars were tested worldwide, including hot-weather testing in Australia and cold-weather testing in Canada; temperatures were as cold as −40 °C (−40 °F) and as hot as 81 °C (178 °F).[14][15] The Aston Martin engineers collaborated with Lotus Engineering and Ford to increase engine efficiency and output, reportedly with the help of the suspension expert Richard Parry-Jones.[14] The prototypes collectively amassed over 1,500,000 miles (2,400,000 km).[16]
The production version of the Vanquish was revealed to groups of potential customers and designated media representatives in October 2000.[17] After over four years of development, the production version of the Vanquish debuted at the 2001 Geneva Motor Show in February.[18][19][20] The official series manufacture of the Vanquish began in March 2001 at the facility in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire.[21][22][23] At launch, Aston Martin planned to produce between 200 and 300 examples annually.[24][25][26]
Design and technology
The Vanquish's construction, developed in collaboration with Lotus, is engineered with techniques derived from the aerospace industry to produce a strong and rigid platform without incurring extra costs.[27] Its body structure is composed mainly of aluminium and carbon fibre.[27][28] Pre-cut aluminium extrusions are riveted and bonded around the car's carbon fibre backbone at a factory in Worcester, England.[29][27] Compared to the Vantage produced between 1993 and 2000, the Vanquish saved over fifty per cent of its weight and had a torsional rigidity increase of 100 per cent.[27][30] The Vanquish features 355-millimetre (14.0 in) and 330-millimetre (13 in) Brembo anti-lock disc brakes positioned at the front and rear, respectively.[31][32][33] The Vanquish features variable-ratio power steering and independent suspension at the front and rear, incorporating forged aluminium wishbones.[15][34] In front of the driver and passenger compartment is a subframe comprising steel, aluminium and carbon fibre that supports the engine, transmission, and front suspension. It is bolted to the front bulkhead.[35]
The Vanquish has been called both a grand touring car[36][37][38] and a sports car.[39][40][41] It is a two-door coupe available in two seating configurations: a two-seat layout or a 2+2 layout.[42][43] The Vanquish is 4,665 millimetres (183.7 in) long, 1,318 millimetres (51.9 in) tall,[44] 1,923 millimetres (75.7 in) wide,[3] and has a wheelbase of 2,690 millimetres (106 in).[44] The Vanquish's kerb weight ranges from 1,820 kilograms (4,010 lb) to 1,835 kilograms (4,045 lb), with a gross vehicle weight of 2,175 kilograms (4,795 lb).[45][4][5] With a drag coefficient of 0.33 Cd,[46] the Vanquish incorporates 19-inch (480 mm) wheels held by Yokohama tyres.[47][48][49]
It had the purest line of thought and execution of any car I've ever worked on before and since.
—Ian Callum[50]
References
Notes
Citations
- ^ Callum, Ian (27 October 2022). "Ian Callum: Celebrating 100 years of Jaguar". Newstalk ZB (Interview). Interviewed by Mike Hosking. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022.
- ^ a b c "2005 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish". The Baltimore Sun. 29 April 2005. p. W3. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024.
- ^ a b "2006 New Vehicle Preview: Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S Coupe". The Daily Herald. 11 November 2005. p. 45. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Vanquish that impulse to share the wealth". Edmonton Journal. 9 July 2002. p. 60. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Bond – James Bond – and his Aston Martin wheels". The Gazette. 23 November 2002. p. 122. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024.
- ^ Phillips 2012, p. 160.
- ^ "Start shouting!". The Daily Telegraph. 10 January 1998. p. 87. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Advantage, Aston". The Sydney Morning Herald. 17 January 1998. p. 59. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ Dowsey 2007, p. 200.
- ^ a b Dowsey 2007, p. 250.
- ^ Taylor 2024, pp. 60–62.
- ^ a b Dowsey 2007, p. 252.
- ^ "New drivers for Land Rover". The Age. 8 July 2000. p. 54. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024.
- ^ a b Taylor 2024, pp. 94–95.
- ^ a b "2003 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish". Palm Beach Daily News. 20 February 2003. p. 18. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Savile Row suit, Ford underpinnings", The Sydney Morning Herald, 27 October 2000, p. 74, archived from the original on 24 April 2024
- ^ Taylor 2024, p. 102.
- ^ "Wealth Bomber". The Daily Telegraph. 11 August 2001. p. 79. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Aston-Martin raises flagship". Chicago Tribune. 19 April 2001. p. 77. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "2001 Geneva". Autoweek. Vol. 51, no. 12. 12 March 2001. p. 20. ISSN 0192-9674.
- ^ Dawe, Jason (7 August 2005). "Aston Martin Vanquish". The Times. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Squatter, shorter, wider, and wilder". The Independent. 11 January 2005. p. 58. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Aston Martin offers velocity for $228,000". Lansing State Journal. 13 April 2001. p. 19. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Spring sees new models in showrooms". The Daily Chronicle. 20 April 2001. p. 32. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ Wernle, Bradford (14 August 2000). "Aston to build 3rd plant, delays V12 Vanquish". Automotive News. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024.
- ^ Wilson, Kevin A; Magee, Charlie (30 October 2000). "Heroic Ambitions". Autoweek. Vol. 50, no. 45. p. 16. ISSN 0192-9674.
- ^ a b c d Taylor 2024, pp. 72–75.
- ^ "Edgy Aston has supercars in its sights". The Sydney Morning Herald. 17 August 2001. p. 70. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Aston attack: Vanquish leads supercar assualt". The Age. 19 October 2000. p. 53. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ Dowsey 2007, p. 203.
- ^ "New Bond car Vanquishes tedium". The Windsor Star. 4 July 2002. p. 40. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Vanquish continued from front". The Standard. 4 July 2002. p. 34. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ Frankel, Andrew (25 May 2004). "Aston Martin Vanquish". Autocar. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023.
- ^ "Aston Martin V12 Vanquish is 'the James Bond car'". The Philadephia Inquirer. 22 August 2003. p. N18. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ Einstein, Paul (18 October 2000). "More and better". Professional Engineering. Vol. 13, no. 19. Institution of Mechanical Engineers. p. 49.
- ^ "The people car show". The Hamilton Spectator. 8 March 2001. p. 57. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Aston Martin Vanquish S". Auto Express. 24 November 2010. Archived from the original on 4 April 2024.
- ^ Huntingford, Steve (1 January 2006). "Used Aston Martin Vanquish 2001 - 2007 review". What Car?. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Vanquishing desire for any other auto". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 31 March 2005. p. G01. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Sophisticated sex appeal". National Post. 5 July 2002. p. 44. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ Frank, Michael (17 September 2001). "Aston Martin Vanquish". Forbes. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024.
- ^ Hutton, Ray (1 December 2000). "Aston Martin Vanquish". Car and Driver. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022.
- ^ "Something new to add to the list of dream cars". The Gazette. 14 November 2000. p. 29. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ a b "2005 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. 1 April 2005. p. 298. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Aston Martin Vanquish V12 2+2 2dr Auto". Top Gear. BBC. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
- ^ Vale 2022, p. 456.
- ^ "Smartire". The Vancouver Sun. 5 December 2000. p. 36.
- ^ "Canadian technology wins roll in new supercar". The Gazette. 11 December 2000. p. 58.
- ^ "The 2001 Aston Martin Vanquish". Forbes. 11 October 2000. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020.
- ^ Pattni, Vijay (29 October 2021). "The original Aston Martin Vanquish is 20 years old". Top Gear. BBC.
Bibliography
- Dowsey, David (2007). Aston Martin: Power, Beauty and Soul. Peleus Press. ISBN 978-0-9578-7595-1.
- Phillips, Adam (2012) [2005]. Supercars: Driving the Dream. New York City: Rosen Publishing Group. ISBN 978-1-4488-9218-1.
- Taylor, James (2024). Aston Martin DB9 and Vanquish: The Complete Story. Wiltshire: Crowood Press. ISBN 978-0-7198-4317-4.