Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S

Aston Martin Vanquish S, the fastest production model ever to be built by Aston Martin, made it's world debut at the Paris Motor Show on September 23, 2004.

With a maximum speed in excess of 200mph (320 km/h) and a 6.0 litre V12 engine developing 520 horsepower, the Aston Martin Vanquish S has been designed to deliver even greater performance, complemented by subtle suspension and steering changes and a number of interior and external style revisions.

The Aston Martin Vanquish S has received subtle but effective changes to complement it's elegant muscular body. The famous Aston Martin grille has a new rounded and more open appearance for better cooling, and an aerodynamic splitter improves high-speed stability. At the rear, a redesigned boot lid featuring a new high mounted stop lamp reduces lift and improves balance and stability, helping to achieve an impressive Cd figure of 0.32.

These differences on the Aston Martin Vanquish S not only improve the appearance but also enhance performance. All the exterior body panels are constructed from aluminium with each individual panel hand tailored to the central structure to ensure a perfect panel fit. Every carefully detailed feature provides graphic evidence of the painstaking craftsmanship and quality, which is invested in its construction at Aston Martin's Newport Pagnell site in Buckinghamshire.

Revised steering geometry provides a 20% quicker response, allowing the driver to apply a reduced input for required steering response. This enables the driver to be more precise with inputs - especially on winding roads - and more accurate feedback from the chassis.

The Sports Dynamics suspension, steering and braking package is standard on the Aston Martin Vanquish S. This includes stiffer springs and dampers and shorter steering arms.

The brakes have been upgraded to incorporate larger six piston calipers and larger grooved and ventilated front discs. The rear discs are 2mm wider for improved heat dissipation. The use of floating discs ensures the driver has consistent pedal feel under heavy braking whilst a new brake pedal assembly reduces travel and enhances pedal feel.

Further development of Aston Martin's low emissions, all alloy, quad-overhead camshaft, 48 valve, 6.0-litre V12 engine has generated an increase in power from 460 bhp to 520 bhp and torque is boosted to 425 lb ft (577 Nm).

Engine enhancements include new cylinder heads with fully machined inlet ports and combustion chambers to improve airflow, revised engine mapping and new fuel injectors.

The overall interior design is a subtle blend of traditional, classic and modern materials with Bridge of Weir leather upholstery matched to contemporary metal interior fittings and finishes. A number of detailed improvements have been made to the interior of the Aston Martin Vanquish S to enhance the enhance the overall appeal.

With the capacity to continue to turn heads, the design of the V12 Vanquish is already established as a modern classic. Perfectly proportioned from every aspect, Ian Callum's design confirms the promise of outstanding "Supercar" performance and the impeccable pedigree of the V12 Vanquish as the flagship model for Aston Martin.

Technical differences Vanquish S to the normal Vanquish
Brakes Changes:
- New larger diameter front discs - 378mm in place of 355mm - providing increased swept area and delivering improved cooling with a 33% increase in thermal capacity giving enhanced resistance to fade.
- New rear discs - diameter unchanged at 330mm but 2mm thicker giving a 21% increase in thermal capacity providing enhanced resistance to fade.
- Floating discs - Maintain consistent pedal feel under heavy braking.
- New front caliper - 6 piston in place of 4 piston caliper with 21% larger pad area contributing to improved braking efficiency. Repositioned to the front of the brake disc for optimised location of this larger caliper.
- New brake pads - High performance friction material tuned to the disc/caliper to provide enhanced performance and stability under repeated high loads.

Engine Changes:
- Engine changes include a new cylinder head casting with machined inlet ports and combustion chambers with revised profiles to improve airflow.
- A remapped engine management system, together with new fuel injectors and spark plugs takes advantage of the improved air flow and increases power and torque outputs significantly.
- Higher grade materials are used in the piston connecting rods to handle the increased cylinder pressures.
- Peak power is increased by 60 bhp to 520 bhp (388kW), which is achieved at 7000rpm. Peak torque increases by 25 lb.ft to 425 lb.ft (577Nm) which is now delivered at 5800rpm.
Combined with revised final drive gearing (shortened from 3.69:1 to 4.3:1), mid-range performance 'feel' is significantly improved; 50-70mph acceleration time (in top gear) is improved by almost two seconds to 6.5 seconds.

Chassis Changes:
- Revised springs - shortened, reducing ride height by 5mm, and with a change in the spring rate biased to handling.
- Revised dampers - increased damping providing improved body control, especially at higher speeds.
- Revised steering - shorter 'steering arms' providing 20% quicker steering response.
- A new front suspension knuckle assembly and new wheel bearing hub assembly which, together with revisions to the steering geometry, provide enhanced steering response, feel and precision.