Aston Martin DB12
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Aston Martin Vanquish
Vanquish, the ferocious super sports car
The Vanquish, a 12-cylinder super sports car that reigns at the top of Aston Martin’s lineup, is a rare model that is both exciting to drive and has a mature impression.
Aston Martin has been around for over 110 years, and has experienced many changes. The foundation of their business, which continues to this day, was laid in 1947, after the end of World War II, when the company was acquired by businessman David Brown.
Aside from branding that was premised on the sale of commercial vehicles, including racing activities, their marketing through the media has become a well-known example. In a sense, their modern business acumen has led to the creation of numerous models bearing their initials, “DB.”
Although the years of change continued from time to time, the initials of the now deceased DB have always been passed down as a voice for Aston Martin’s products.
The super stylish DB12 Coupe
The DB12 is Aston Martin’s signature V8 grand touring sports car. It’s a stylish model that suits the gentlemanly adult.
Meanwhile, the Vanquish was launched in 2001 as an icon showing Aston Martin’s direction in the 21st century. The word “conquest” sounds like an overly ambitious ambition, but the Vanquish, with its strongest output and avant-garde engineering to date, established a firm position in the super sports car category. Subsequent models such as the DB9 and Vantage all share some resemblance to the Vanquish in both appearance and interior. It could be said that the Vanquish has served as a guidepost not only for the exterior but also for the interior.
The Vanquish’s return after six years was announced in the fall of 2024. This third-generation model will be sold as normal, but will be produced in quantities of less than 1,000 units per year. With deliveries finally underway, what kind of stance will this model represent within the current Aston Martin? We explored each model’s character alongside the DB12, which arrived in Japan just over a year ago.
Aston Martin itself has described the DB12, which will be unveiled in mid-2023, as “the dawn of a new generation.” In terms of design, authenticity is emphasized over innovation, and the interior, which includes a new infotainment system, has seen significant improvements in quality, making it appear to outsiders as a legitimate evolution.
The Vantage, based on the DB12 but with a 100mm shorter wheelbase, will be released in early 2024. As always, this will be Aston Martin’s sportiest model, and will also serve as the hub for customer racing.
The Vanquish’s 12-cylinder engine is worthy of the name Top of Aston
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[1] The Vanquish’s 5.2-liter V12 turbo engine produces a maximum output of 835 PS and a maximum torque of 1000 Nm. The tires are Pirelli P Zero.
The Vanquish’s dimensions are the exact opposite of the Vantage, with the wheelbase extended by 80mm compared to the DB12. This is not just because the engine it is fitted with is a 12-cylinder, as is customary for the Vanquish. In fact, the limited edition S model that appeared with the previous model proved that this engine could also be fitted to the Vantage.
I think the aim of the Vanquish’s long wheelbase was to create an iconic presence rather than to improve the vehicle’s load capacity. In fact, most of the 80mm extension is used between the front axle and the cowl. The special dignity of the 12-cylinder engine housed in the front nose is clearly expressed in the length of this part. In addition, of course, the aim of placing the long engine closer to the center of the body than the front axle was also behind the extension.
As a result, the Vanquish is 125mm longer than the DB12. When they are lined up, the obvious difference is due to the length of the body, the aforementioned packaging changes, and the different rear design. While the DB12 has a fastback roofline that flows neatly to the rear end, the Vanquish uses a coda tronca design that cuts off the rear end abruptly, similar to what is called a Kamm tail in British terms. The window graphics have also been redesigned to hold the rear end in place, making the rear axle appear thicker and more powerful.
DB12’s V8 twin-turbo engine delivers gentle acceleration
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[2] The DB12 is equipped with a 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo engine that produces a maximum output of 585 PS and a maximum torque of 800 Nm. The DB12 is fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 5S tires.
Looking back in history, this design, which also pays homage to the DB6, gives the Vanquish a more massive impression. In contrast, the DB12 can be seen as a design that emphasizes elegance. Incidentally, the rear trunk space is almost the same at 262L for the DB12 and 248L for the Vanquish. The Vanquish is a two-seater, but there is space behind the seats for luggage, so there is no significant difference in practicality.
The same can be said for the interior texture and finish of the parts. Although the design around the dash and center console is slightly different, there is no difference between the two models when it comes to enjoying the Bridge of Weir, a prestigious Scottish leather manufacturer that is also used in the Palace of Westminster and the Queen Elizabeth II. Combined with the switches, which have been carefully designed not only for their tactile feel but also for their ease of operation, the quality exceeds expectations. This is another feature common to the new generation of Aston Martins.
The Vanquish’s interior offers a sense of quality and elegance
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[3] The Vanquish’s dashboard features a stunning combination of leather and Alcantara. The roller switches are easy to use, so you won’t get lost operating them.
On the other hand, the biggest difference, of course, is the driving dynamics. The DB12’s power unit is a 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo engine from the M177 series supplied by AMG, which produces an impressive 170 PS/125 Nm more than the previous DB11, which is equipped with the same unit.
But what impressed me more than its ample speed was the clear improvement in the comfort of the car, such as its manners at low RPMs and the feeling it offers in the mid- to high-rpm ranges. The wide torque band, which allows the eighth gear to be fully utilized even at speeds below 100km/h, and the continuous power growth up to around 7000rpm, are in perfect step with Aston Martin’s traditional GT-like sports car.
The DB12’s interior accentuates its elegant character
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[4] The elegant beige color enhances the DB12’s character. The infotainment system is the same as the Vanquish.
The Vanquish’s 12-cylinder engine is an evolution of the 5.2-liter V12 twin-turbo that was first installed in the DB11, but it too has a more refined feel and texture of rotation. The smoothness of rotation, resulting from the finely divided explosions, is a world apart from that of the DB12. And yet, it also has the robustness that is characteristic of Aston Martin, which is perhaps due in large part to the ferocious sound with its lively pulse. Above all, the speed is more dramatic than the numerical difference, and the full-throttle acceleration that distorts the rear wheels and sends them flying in a writhing motion is full of the realism that only the Vanquish can offer.
Aston Martin has always distanced itself from the approach to sports cars that focus entirely on speed. Its beautiful body impresses even the most discerning enthusiasts, but its engines are ferocious and unleashed, allowing it to move freely between touring cars and super sports cars. This has been the direction Aston Martin has pursued, especially since the DB4, which received the RB2-type straight-six engine.
It was a test drive in which the differences in individuality were clearly felt.
The two Aston Martin models, equipped with stunningly stylish bodies and ferocious engines that will impress even the most discerning buyers, have a greater difference in their personalities than one would expect.
Even now, when the company offers ultimate models like the Valkyrie and Valhalla, the same will dwells in the DB12 and Vanquish. The difference in the individuality of the two cars is exquisitely expressed by how the two E’s, elegance and emotion, are distributed, and the confidence to differentiate between them is what defines the brand’s strength.
REPORT／Toshifumi WATANABE
PHOTO／Ryota SATO
MAGAZINE／GENROQ September 2025 issue
SPECIFICATIONS
Aston Martin Vanquish
Body size: Length 4850, Width 1980, Height 1290mm
Wheelbase: 2885mm
Vehicle weight: 1910kg
Engine type: V12 DOHC twin turbo
Total displacement: 5204cc
Maximum output: 614kW (835PS) / 6500rpm
Maximum torque: 1000Nm (102kgm) / 2500-5000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed AT
Drive system: RWD
Suspension: Front double wishbone, rear multi-link
Brakes: Front and rear ventilated discs
Tire size: Front 275/35ZR21, rear 325/30ZR21
0-100km/h acceleration: 3.3 seconds
Top speed: 344km/h
Vehicle price: 52.9 million yen
Aston Martin DB12
Body size: Length 4725, Width 1980, Height 1295mm
Wheelbase: 2805mm
Vehicle weight: 1685kg
Engine type: V8 DOHC twin turbo
Total displacement: 3982cc
Maximum output: 400kW (585PS) / 6000rpm
Maximum torque: 800Nm (81.6kgm) / 2750-6000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed AT
Drive system: RWD
Suspension: Front double wishbone, rear multi-link
Brakes: Front and rear ventilated discs
Tire size: Front 275/35ZR21, rear 325/30ZR21
0-100km/h acceleration: 3.6 seconds
Top speed: 325km/h
Vehicle price: 30.9 million yen
[Inquiries]
Aston Martin Japan Limited
TEL 03-5797-7281
https://www.astonmartin.com/ja
[Vehicle cooperation (Vanquish)]
Aston Martin Ginza
TEL 03-5220-7007
https://www.graz-ginza.jp
