You’ll have to forgive the obvious James Bond reference here, but news that a new Aston Martin has arrived in South Africa is much the same as hearing that there’s a new James Bond movie out at cinemas. Or on the internet for illegal download…if you’re in to that.
Who’s playing James Bond? [sic: What engine does the new Aston have?]
Who’s playing the beautiful lucky lady who gets to sleep with the British spy? [sic: What curves does the new car have?]
Who’s playing the villain? [sic: What has changed in the new model?]
In answer to the first question, it’s a significantly upgraded but not new 6.0-litre V12 engine that’s taking the leading role. Toted as “much more potent than before”, the engine chugs along thanks to the familiar Aston Touchtronic 2 six-speed auto gearbox and the performance figures are so good, supercars everywhere are running for the hills.
Power peaks at 421kw from the V12 and that means the new Vanquish is the most powerful production model Aston has ever made. 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 295 km/h. The DBS it replaces is quite happy with its new playmate.
Speaking of the curves, much of the new Vanquish has already been seen in the limited-run One-77 supercar, the only other Aston semi-available that trumps this one’s figures. But the One-77 was kind enough to lend some of its supercar glisten to the new Vanquish. The elegant new waist, elongated side strakes and LED rear light blades are derived from the One-77 supercar.
Inspect a little closer and you’ll see Aston’s new Aero Duct where the tramp stamp would go on the boot lid. Practicality made gorgeous is this feature. It’s a passive engineering feature, which counteracts lift at the car’s rear when traveling at speed. WARNING: HERE COMES SOME PR FLUFF: It’s all part of their iconic new visual language….bleh!
Still no denying that no one makes better looking cars than Aston Martin. What a language to be fluent in.
Granted if this car was to appear in a James Bond movie, it would be in a scene of driving between Paris and London on some open country roads, not smashing through road side cafes in a busy city centre, I’d think. The new Vanquish is a Grand Tourer, and that means loads of practicality including an infotainment first seen in the One-77 and practical improvements such as a newly designed and significantly more spacious cabin and a boot that, at 368 litres, is more than 60% larger than that of the DBS. That’s luggage space, passenger space (sorta) and something to do on long journeys.
In all, the new Bond flick should be a cracker!
Get it: www.astonmartin.co.za
For: Wait till first quarter 2013
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