Overview & Reviews

The Aston Martin V12 Vanquish played a huge role in returning this classic British carmaker to both financial success and technological sophistication. Of course, any good Aston Martin has to have drop-dead gorgeous styling, and the Vanquish does not disappoint. But on top of classic Aston design cues such as the unique grille shape and low hood line, it added a shot of bravado that included muscular fenders and a wide, squat stance. It is certainly the most masculine of Aston's classic designs.

Although loosely based on the Virage/V8 platform, the now out-of-production Aston Martin V12 Vanquish featured thoroughly modern technology. The main body structure included aluminum sections bonded and riveted around a central carbon-fiber transmission tunnel. Carbon fiber A-pillars, all-aluminum suspension and aluminum body panels served to keep weight down, although the Vanquish still weighed in at a little more than 2 tons.

The powertrain was equally cutting-edge, with a high-performance 6.0-liter V12 engine that first made 460 horsepower, and later 520. Tasked with getting that power to the rear wheels was an automated-clutch, six-speed sequential-shift manual gearbox utilizing F1-style paddle shifters.

The Vanquish showed that Aston Martin was no longer just a quaint British carmaker with its best days behind it. Best of all, it maintained Aston's historical penchant for creating achingly beautiful automobiles -- when it arrived as a 2002 model, the Vanquish rivaled Halle Berry for attention when it appeared in the James Bond film Die Another Day.

Unlike that cinematic stinker, arguably a low point in a storied franchise, the Vanquish established a new, highly successful direction for Aston Martin. Although it gracefully bowed out after the 2006 model year as the company's flagship, the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish is no doubt a classic in the making.

Most Recent Aston Martin V12 Vanquish

The Aston Martin V12 Vanquish was a high-performance coupe produced from 2002-'06. The initial model was joined by a more-powerful Vanquish S variant in 2005, and only the S model was available for the final year of production.

The standard Vanquish's 6.0-liter V12 pumped out 460 hp and 400 pound-feet of torque, while the Vanquish S increased the machismo to 520 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque. The Vanquish S could leap from zero to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds and had a top speed of 200 mph, making it the fastest production Aston Martin ever made.

In terms of equipment, the V12 Vanquish came with an F1-style automated-clutch manual transmission, 19-inch wheels with performance tires, power seats and a 10-speaker in-dash CD changer audio system that constantly battled with the rumbling exhaust for acoustic supremacy. A navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity and multilevel heated seats were standard equipment on the 2006 V12 Vanquish S, as were the Sports Dynamic suspension, steering and braking package.

The V12 Vanquish's interior was finely finished in the best leather hides and offered a customizable selection of color options. In 2006, the center control stack was revised to match the current, newer crop of Aston Martins. Previously, the Vanquish borrowed most of its switchgear from the Ford family parts bin -- especially Jaguar, which is never a good sign for ergonomics. The Vanquish was available with a choice of 2+2 or strictly two-seat interiors, and there was a decent amount of room compared to other exotic sports cars.

In a road test of the standard Vanquish we were, well, vanquished by its seductive V12 power and low-frequency exhaust rumble. The word "awesome" was thrown about a number of times. The ride was stiff but never abusive, while the monster 19-inch tires did a great job of gluing the rear-drive Aston to the pavement. We were also reasonably impressed with the paddle-shift gearbox, although we would have liked a little more smoothness in everyday driving.

User Reviews:

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  good car - 2002 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
  By brando hilderbrand - September 3 - 10:00 am

  very nice

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  A real car - 2005 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
  By Jerome Henin - January 16 - 5:30 am

  This car is as comfortable as a class S mercedes, as fun as a Ferrari 575, and much more reliable as most other cars. You can use it again and again. You will always be amused by the behavior of people when they see it. It is definItely the gentlemans supercar.

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  The Vanquish - 2003 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
  By Damian Stewart - January 4 - 2:00 am

  This is the funnest vehicle I have ever owned!!!

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  One Beautifully Performing Car - 2003 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
  By AutoEnthuse9128 - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Having always been a fan of Aston Martins, when I took shipment of my silver 6.0L Coupe, I was blown away by the fact that I could actually bring this beautifully sculpted car home. Its performance is great, power available all the time, and the perfectly weighted steering works excellently, and carves into the curves like a superbike. The 12-cylinder powerplant will offer Niagra-torque anytime anywhere. For a sports car, the rear vision and trunk space are also quite good. The interior is also luxurious and excellent. I have never purchased a new car before and I can see how great this modern machine is.

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  The absolute best! - 2003 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
  By xdreem74 - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased this car back in September, and it is hands down the best card Ive ever owned. Its got the speed, style, comfort, and class I need in a vehicle. Spendy -- yes -- but ever so worth every penny!

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  Vanquish: Best of the Best! - 2003 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
  By greach - January 4 - 2:00 am

  When recently asked which of my cars I would keep if I had to pick just one, I immediatley responded: The Vanquish! This car has the elegance, grace and comfort of the Bentley Arnage; is for all practical purposes as fast as the Ferrari 360 (it feels much faster from 80 to 140 mph! than the 360!)Handling is more solid and direct than the 575 Maranello. The build quality is better than any Mercedes, and the car feels so solid yet nimble on the road! I have been a new Ferrari buyer/owner since 1982, and a Bentley/Rolls buyer/ owner since 1987. Now that I have experienced this car I dont think anything else will impress me. Get one if you can and enjoy!

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  A Great High Preformance Car - 2003 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
  By KTM520 - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Theres only one word to describe the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish, and that is perfect. The Vanquish is a sleek stunning car that is like no other. It out does any other kind of car in its class. It is very fun and exiting to drive. Superb.