Aston Martin VANQUISH II - 2015

From AM310 concept to swansong S: the Vanquish story (2012–2018)

Aston Martin revived one of its most evocative nameplates in 2012, previewed by the AM310 concept and launched as the second-generation Vanquish. It arrived as the brand’s carbon-clad flagship GT, sitting above the DB9 and Vantage, and it set the tone for Gaydon’s design language for years. Under the long bonnet, a naturally aspirated 5.9-litre V12 delivered a cultured, old‑school soundtrack in an era already tilting toward turbocharging. Early cars paired it with a 6‑speed Touchtronic II; by 2014/15, a major update brought the ZF‑sourced 8‑speed Touchtronic III, a power bump and crisper responses—transforming the car’s pace and refinement in one hit.

Competition was fierce: Ferrari’s F12berlinetta brought towering speed, Bentley’s Continental GT countered with grand-touring opulence, and AMG and Porsche hovered at the margins with different philosophies. The Vanquish, though, traded on a unique mix—hand‑finished glamour, a carbon-fibre skin over Aston’s bonded aluminium VH architecture, and that silken V12. Reviewers praised its long‑legged ride, steering feel and drama, while regularly calling out the dated infotainment of early cars. The 2015MY update didn’t just add gears; it re‑mapped the V12, sharpened damping and steering, and finally made the Vanquish feel as quick as it looked, with 0–100 km/h dipping under 4 seconds and a 200+ mph top speed.

The range broadened quickly. The Volante (2013) delivered one of the era’s great open‑top GT experiences and, like the coupé, wore a full carbon-fibre body. Limited “Carbon Edition” and “Centenary Edition” cars dialled up drama, while bespoke Q by Aston commissions kept celebrity garages busy; Daniel Craig famously owned a unique Vanquish later auctioned for charity—neatly looping the Bond mythology back to the Vanquish name, even if the second generation never co‑starred on screen like the 2001 original did in Die Another Day.

The finale was spectacular. For 2017 came the Vanquish S with revised inlet and exhaust flow, a more aggressive aero package and chassis tweaks, the V12 now singing to nearly 600 bhp. It looked and felt like the distilled essence of Aston’s naturally aspirated GT: razor‑edged when pushed, effortlessly grand the rest of the time. Rarer still, the Vanquish Zagato family (2016–2018) spun the formula into four limited‑run body styles—Coupe, Volante, Speedster and Shooting Brake—each with the trademark “double‑bubble” surfacing and production capped (the Speedster at just 28 units), sealing instant collector status.

By 2018, production wound down as the DBS Superleggera stepped in with twin‑turbo power. The Vanquish II left a lasting mark: it kept the naturally aspirated Aston V12 alive at the top table a little longer, proved the brand could mainstream carbon bodywork, and reminded enthusiasts that character and craftsmanship still count in a numbers‑obsessed world.

Curios

• Unveiled in production form in June 2012 after the AM310 concept teased at Villa d’Este.
• Standard carbon‑ceramic brakes and 20‑inch wheels from launch—serious hardware for a GT.
• Top Gear, Evo and others lauded its GT poise; many also noted the early infotainment’s quirks until the mid‑cycle refresh.
• Vanquish S Ultimate editions closed the chapter with special palettes and trim, while Zagato variants became blue‑chip Astons overnight.