Powerful Engine And Better Handling On Aston Martin Vanquish S

Power and better handling are what set the Aston Martin Vanquish S apart from the Vanquish and DB9. The Vanquish S has a top speed of 190 mph, and it can get to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. And that puts it up with the same level of performance as Ferrari’s front-engine supercars.

As with all current Aston Martins, the Vanquish has the classic looks of a Grand touring 2+2 with flowing lines and a smart fastback. The car looks very similar to the newer DB9, but owing to its different body structure is a good deal more expensive.

Uprated V-12 gives 520 bhp

Heart of the car is Aston Martin’s V-12 6.0 liter engine, which is an ultra-modern design with aluminum cylinder block and heads. Like all high-performance engines, it has four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing. The ports, camshafts and engine controller have been revised compared with the engine in the DB9, so power is up from 450 to 520 bhp, which is delivered at 7,000 rpm producing a great note on full song. Incidentally, the 575M Maranello develops 515 bhp.

Aston Martin Vanquish S Maximum torque is 425 lb ft (577 Nm) at 5,800 rpm, which emphasises that this a sporty car, where the emphasis is on top end performance. The engine is coupled to a six-speed manual transmission with an electro-hydraulic shift arrangement, something like the BMW SMG.

You shift gear sequentially with a pair of paddles on the steering wheel, which improves performance compared with either the manual or slush-pump automatic used on other models, Reverse is selected by pressing a button on the center console.

Carbon fiber passenger module

The Vanquish models are the only Aston Martins to have a body made of a carbon fiber composite passenger module with aluminum sub-frames front and rear. These are bonded to the carbon fiber composite hull. At the front and rear extremities are steel crash structures.

Bigger brakes

As on all Astons, the suspension is by double wishbones, and steering is by rack and pinion. The brakes are big, with six-pot calipers at the front; the discs are15-inch diameter at the front, and 13-inch diameter at the rear. As is normal these days, the rear wheels and tires are wider than at the front, and are of low profile. At the front the tires are 255/40R 19, and those at the rear are 285/40R 19 section.

Curb weight is 4,130 lb (1,875 kg) 300 lb more than the Ferrari 575M Maranello, but only 80 lb more than the Scaglietti, a penalty the Aston Martin Vanquish S can take in its stride. Both the Scaglietti and 575M accelerate a little quicker, but the difference is so small as to be barely noticeable on the road. Top speeds are in the same range, so it comes down to which design and style of car you prefer.