A supercar that pursues ultimate driving performance and comfort

There is a car called the Vanquish. I think many people know it, but it is the top-of-the-line model from Aston Martin. It means "to conquer" as a verb and "conqueror" as a noun. It is very brave. It evokes the image of a strong, macho man.

Because of this meaning, it is used for men's apparel brands, golf clubs, shafts, and even online games. It gives the impression of being ready to take on a battle. This name is used by brands that want to give off a brave impression in various industries.

Aston Martin sometimes reserves this name for the top model. I say "sometimes" because it alternates with the DBS, the top-end model in the DB series. So, the current third-generation Vanquish was born in 2024. It was a while before it was released.

Incidentally, Aston Martin also uses the name Vantage, which means "advantage" or "superiority." It's probably a synonym for "advantage." The default is a two-seater with a V8 engine, but there was once a model with a V12 engine. It was such a wild beast that American automotive media described it at the time as a "modern muscle car." It's impressive that the 12-cylinder engine couldn't fit into the engine bay, so they inflated the hood to force it in.

The overwhelming driving experience is astounding, and I am in awe of the beauty of it all.

Anyway, I recently drove the current Vanquish. As the name suggests, it has a very impressive presence. It has a 2+0 seating layout, but it is large in size. The new chassis has an 80mm longer wheelbase, which naturally increases the overall length. Incidentally, the rear body is 10mm wider than the DBS 770 Ultimate, which occupied that position until last year.

Just like the styling, the front mask has become more powerful. The openings that serve as the air intakes have been enlarged, giving the impression of a wild beast that has found its prey and is about to swallow it whole. Of course, this has made the intake of air as efficient as possible, thereby increasing the power of the engine.

The engine is a 5.2-liter V12 twin-turbo with a maximum power output of 835ps. This is a remarkable improvement over the previously mentioned DBS 770 Ultimate, which had a maximum torque of 1000Nm, making it one of the best figures in its class.

Since it's called the Conqueror, people won't be satisfied with mediocre specs. A top speed of 345 km/h will make it the fastest Aston Martin production car ever. After surfing the web, I found that the top speed of the Shinkansen is the Tohoku Shinkansen, at 320 km/h, so this car surpasses that. Personally, I've reached 270 km/h at a certain supercar circuit test drive event, but I can't imagine going any faster than that. It would be impossible unless it was a very long straight distance. I've driven on the German Autobahn dozens of times, but I can't remember anywhere where I could experience that.

The content related to increasing engine power and speed is based on feedback from the racing field, as Aston Martin is currently actively involved in motorsports such as F1 and World Endurance Races. This includes aerodynamics, which control aerodynamic forces, and the company is also actively promoting joint development with various suppliers. Valvoline, which supplies high-performance engine oil for the Vanquish, is a technical partner of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 Team.

While we can talk about the Vanquish as a high-performance sports car, it's important to understand that it's also packed with luxury touches, from the leather and other materials used in the interior to the elegant design. The panoramic glass roof that spans the entire length would be a hit with celebrities around the world.

This year marks Aston Martin's 112th anniversary. I remember the centennial celebration taking place in Kensington Gardens, right in the heart of London. The sight of all the models symbolizing the century lined up was breathtaking. In the 12 years since then, Aston Martin has evolved even further. There have been many topics, such as collaboration with Mercedes-AMG and participation in F1. In that sense, they are sure to make even greater strides. The growth of their lineup, topped by the Vanquish, is likely to continue.

Tatsuya Kushima

Motor journalist and columnist. Currently, he is the media site editor-in-chief and media business producer for the surfing magazine "NALU." She has previously served as editor-in-chief of many men's magazines, golf magazines, car magazines, airline in-flight magazines, etc. In addition to media activities, he is a member of the Japan Car of the Year selection committee, a member of the Japan Cigar Association, a Japan Boat of the Year selection committee, and the creative director of men's golf wear ``The Duke's Golf.''