Aston Martin Vanquish

Group	1
Engine	60° V12
Displacement	5935cc
Fuel feed and ignition	Visteon twin PTEC engine management
Location	Front longitudinal
Transmission	Magneti-Marelli six-speed sequential manual, RWD, BTR LSD, ASR
Bore and stroke	89.0mm x 79.5mm (3.5 in x 3.13 in)
Compression ratio	10.5:1
Cylinder block	All alloy, wet sump
Cylinder head	All alloy, twin chain driven overhead camshafts, 48 valve
Redline rpm	7300
Bhp @ rpm	460 @ 6800
lb ft @ rpm	400 @ 5500
Kerb weight/kg	1835
bhp/ton	251
bhp/litre	78
Chassis	Extruded aluminium bonded to carbon fibre backbone. Composite front and rear crash structures. Aluminium skin panels. Extruded aluminium door side impact protection beam
Tyres	255/40 ZR19" front, 285/40 ZR19" rear Yokohama
Wheels	9J x 19" front, 10J x 19" rear, lightweight Magnesium aluminium alloy
Brakes	Anti-lock, ventilated and drilled 355mm (front) and 330mm (rear) diameter Brembo disc brakes, four piston calipers, ABS
Steering	Rack and pinion, variable power assistance 2.73 turns lock to lock
Front suspension	Independent with forged aluminium double wishbones. Coil springs, monotube damper and anti-roll bar, cast aluminium front suspension uprights
Rear suspension	Independent with forged aluminium double wishbones. Coil springs, monotube damper and anti-roll bar
Cabin	2 door; 2+2 seat
0-60/secs	4.9
0-100/secs	10.7
Max mph	190
Fuel tank	80 litres
Year	2001-2004
Country	England
Price when new	£170,000
Number produced	2578

The Vanquish was Aston Martin's flagship model from its introduction in 2001 until production ended on 19th July 2007 coinciding with the shutting of the Newport Pagnell factory after 49 years where the car was hand built. When Aston were designing the Vanquish the clear competitor was the Ferrari 550 Maranello and it was this car that Aston wanted to beat.

The main frame of the chassis is made from extruded aluminium to form a central monocoque safety cell which is bonded to a central transmission tunnel made of carbon fibre which doubles as a superstrong backbone as well as a heat shield for the gearbox as in Formula 1, it only weighs 250lbs yet had the strength and torsional rigidity of a Formula 1 car of the day. There are steel, aluminium, and carbon fibre composite subframes for the engine and front and rear suspensions, the body sides, doors and window frames are resin transfer moulded fibreglass while the A-pillars are carbon fibre woven around a foam core which provide excellent strength and roll over protection. The larger panels such as the bonnet and roof are made of aluminium and individually hand fitted. There are carbon fibre crash structures at the front and rear and a completely flat underbody, leading to a rear venturi enhancing downforce.

The engine is the same all alloy unit in the final DB7 Vantage V12s but retuned with 36 more horsepower, more torque due to lighter valvetrain, uprated camshafts, revised intake manifolds and a lighter and stronger crankshaft. The updated electronic engine management now has to control the drive-by-wire throttle and the Tremec six-speed gearbox along with the ABS and traction control – one of the more difficult aspects of the cars development apparently.


"The Vanquish feels exactly what it looks like to drive: a harder, fitter DB9, one that goes to the gym a lot, a sort of Club Sport version in effect." ***** evo Magazine, Issue 070