The Breakdown Aston Martin first introduced the Vanquish name back in 2001. The Vanquish serves as a super GT, mixing tremendous performance with supreme comfort and style. Aston Martin has fitted a V12 in each version of its Vanquish, including the current-gen model. Back in 2001, Aston Martin dropped a V12 bomb atop the GT car segment. The Vanquish made its debut and established a new benchmark as a brilliant Super GT. Fast forward to today, and Aston Martin looks back on 25 years of the Vanquish nameplate. These cars have always had V12 power, serious presence, and gorgeous body lines. And today, the current Vanquish delivers on everything its predecessors promised. Gallery: 25 Years of the Aston Martin Vanquish First-Generation Aston Martin Vanquish When the V12 Vanquish launched in 2001, it was a revelatory event. This car signified Aston Martin's move into the modern era as it was the final model built at the older Newport Pagnell headquarters. Yet it featured then-fresh tech like drive-by-wire throttle control. Aston Martin stuffed its 6.0-liter V12 into the engine bay. Output was rated at around 460 horsepower, and the gearbox was a paddle-shifted automated manual. In 2004, the Vanquish S arrived with a significant power bump, up to 520 hp. Second-Generations Aston Martin Vanquish Aston Martin refined and updated the styling when it reintroduced the Vanquish for the 2012 model year. There are lines taken from the wild One-77 while the body panels are constructed from carbon fiber. Power is now way up compared to the prior version, with output rated at 565 hp and 475 pound-feet of torque. The best upgrade, however, was the move to a ZF transaxle. This unlocked higher top speeds, quicker 0-60 mph blasts, and major improvements in overall ride quality. The Current Aston Martin Vanquish Aston Martin launched the current Vanquish in 2024. The car takes the design language from its predecessors and translates it for the modern day. You have the familiar grille made larger to allow for greater airflow, while the hood strakes flow towards the nose. Power now arrives via a twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V12. The output is truly immense—824 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. The current Vanquish is very nearly a supercar just wearing a bespoke suit. When it first launched, the current Vanquish was the fastest Aston Martin series production car ever built. The top speed was listed at 214 mph. The Importance of Vanquish to Aston Martin Aston Martin historian Steve Waddingham says, "Look up the word ‘vanquish,’ and you will find it has, in my opinion, one of the best dictionary definitions in the English language. Terms such as ‘conquer’ and ‘overwhelm’ pop up as synonyms and that, broadly speaking, is what the first Aston Martin to bear the now legendary name set out to do; both in terms of its competitors, and in the hearts and minds of buyers." Motor1's Take: The Vanquish has long been a true bright spot in the Aston Martin lineup. We are happy to celebrate the car's last 25 years and look forward to what the next 25 have in store. Just don't ever put the name on an SUV, and we'll all be happy. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
