Aston Martin Vanquish S 2172
Aston Martin Vanquish S 2196
Aston Martin Vanquish S 2175
Aston Martin Vanquish S 2179
Sam Charlwood12 Jun 2017
REVIEW

Aston Martin Vanquish S 2017 Review

Brawny V12 engine keeps British firm’s ageing GT young at heart
Review Type
Road Test
Review Location
Sydney, New South Wales

Aston Martin is in the midst of an important transformation phase as it chases both new buyers and renewed credibility in the competitive sports car market. However the iconic British firm hasn’t forgotten the building blocks which helped to achieve its current status and is giving a new lease of life to the naturally-aspirated V12 engine. So, while the new Vanquish S may be out-dated in some ways, the stonking powerplant keeps it as charming (and young) as ever.

Spring cleanout
Out with the old, in with the new – when it comes to model re-shuffles, Aston Martin has been prolific in the past couple of years.

In recent times, the British manufacturer has given us the new DB11, the insane Vulcan, and the DBX cross-over, and is now rumoured to be working on a Ferrari 488 rival. Amid all this product activity, Aston has sounded a final curtain call for the ageing Vanquish - a model first conceived in the form of the DB9 in 2003 – which is scheduled to be replaced by a successor in 2019.

The grand tourer has been re-styled, re-named and re-marketed a few times, but the newly-conceived Vanquish S essentially takes stock of the same aluminium-intensive architecture, front-engined layout and iconic styling first wrought by Ian Callum and Danish designer Henrik Fisker. In Australia, the Aston Martin Vanquish S is priced at a considerable $489,950 (plus on-road costs), which is around $100,000 more than the newer DB11.

Aston Martin Vanquish S 2179

External changes to the S include carbon-fibre aerodynamic extensions at the front and rear, including elements designed to reduce front lift and improve high-speed stability.

The new S variant also brings the aforementioned evolution to the original DB9’s 6.0-litre V12 naturally aspirated engine. Outputs have been pushed up to 444kW (plus 20kW) and 630Nm in this last-hurrah iteration which includes a new exhaust system.

In pursuit of sportier driving dynamics, the S also picks-up stiffer springs, revised shock absorbers and a beefier anti-roll bar.

A quick jaunt around Sydney MotorSport Park vigorously put those claims to the test.

Olde worlde charm
Stepping into the Vanquish S for the first time recalls many of the good and bad traits of interior design circa 2004.

There is a decidedly last-generation feel to the cabin controls and styling, punctuated by a bulky centre pop-up screen lacking the size and clarity of modern units, and a driver instrument cluster which is almost completely analogue. It’s all a noticeable throwback to simpler times, and a sharp contrast with the newer, more aesthetically-pleasing DB11.

Notwithstanding, there is still a decent assortment of modern technology embedded into this old interface. Apple CarPlay is handily available and, linked with the 6.5-inch pop-up screen, is a 1000-watt Bang and Olufson stereo system. You also get a digital speedo.

The dashboard centre fascia is finished in a brushed carbon-fibre décor embedded with the drive controls, affording the cabin a certain English workmanship charm. It’s a shame the plastic-fantastic steering wheel and its dorky button arrangement didn’t get the same memo.

Aston Martin Vanquish S 2175

Spatial proportions are generous up front, complemented by supple cabin materials and seats, which don’t reside sufficiently low in the cabin, but are broad and supportive.

Behind, head room and leg room is spectacularly lacking, so the two rear seats are virtually an upholstered space for overnight bags – not passengers. We didn’t even attempt to get cosy in the back.

Likewise, the narrow and short boot proportions are good for an overnight stay, but not much more. Incidental storage is generally strong, comprising a centre console, cup holder and open cubby. The door pockets handle odds and ends but are not bottle-friendly.

Outward vision in the Vanquish S is strong front and rear, supporting the car’s grand tourer brief.

Aston Martin Vanquish S 2187

Road and track
Starting the big V12 is done via Aston’s glass “emotion” key, which slots neatly into a space in the dashboard. It invokes the unmistakable V12 soundtrack – surely one of the

rawest, chest-thumping barks of any grand tourer or supercar.
Be it on country roads or a racetrack, the engine is the undoubted highlight of the Vanquish S.

It builds revs smoothly and flexibly, invoking plenty of induction noise and a deep-throated gargle as the eight-speed automatic transmission gently segues through the ratios. In the Vanquish S, these traits are bolstered thanks to a revised intake system with larger inlet manifolds which sends more air to the engine than before.

Throttle response is surprisingly linear from a standstill, creating effortless and accessible around-town surge everywhere in the rev range.

Aston Martin Vanquish S 2152

On bumpy country roads, the big Aston builds speed at a scary rate. Stretching out the long legs of the engine in gears three or higher is more than enough ammunition to land you in a jail cell.

Similarly brutish is the car’s brilliant soundtrack, which erupts in a cacophony of snarls, cracks and bangs as you climb towards the 7000rpm power peak. Apparently the

Vanquish S dishes out up to 94dB of noise at full tilt.

There is a complementary theme to the engine on the race circuit, where it is equally at home during full-tilt blasts. No, the atmo V12 won’t forcefully shove your bonce backwards into the head restraint like a turbocharged engine, but, work with the rev count and the gas pedal, and the forward progress is unquestionably rapid.

Aston Martin Vanquish S 2164

We didn’t perform timed 0-100km/h testing, but a seat-of-the-pants impression implies you would need a special set of circumstances to emulate Aston’s 3.5 second claim for the

Vanquish S. As for its 323km/h speed ceiling? You’ll just need a big road and plenty of ticker.

A composed and controlled ride - if a little fidgety on pockmarked surfaces – is a strong virtue of the Aston on public blacktop. However, reinforcing its grand tourer brief, the car’s dynamic traits unravel a little when pushed to the limit at Sydney Motorsport Park.

For one, the car’s stability control system feels intrusive even in sports mode on track, taking away big slabs of power at the earliest sign of oversteer rather than allowing measured levels of wheel spin.

Aston Martin Vanquish S 2210

Also, the accompanying eight-speed transmission’s torque converter feels a little outpaced by the engine, offering delayed shifts between its closely stacked ratios, along with a prominent ‘thud’ in the back on upshifts.

The engine’s placement over the front axle is a constant consideration when flinging the Vanquish S into the race circuit’s corners, dulling the car’s agility. In faster turns, the Vanquish S’ body bobs and fidgets as its 1750kg mass shifts to the outside Pirelli P-Zero rubber.

However, hydraulic steering does a nice job of linking the Aston through Sydney Motorsport Park’s various turns. The car reacts positively to driver inputs, with ample speed and precision as well as adequate feel. A smidgen of mid-corner kick back is about the only letdown in the steering department…but it can also be said that this adds to the vehicle’s driver involvement.

Aston Martin Vanquish S 2203

Does the Vanquish S belong in the new Aston guard?

The Aston Martin Vanquish will reportedly be replaced by a new model in 2019. Until then, this atmo V12 juggernaut needs to stay on sale – and sell.

Does the Vanquish S meet its brief?

Given we’re in an age of tightening emissions and downsized, turbocharged engines, the Vanquish S’ age and engine are central to its appeal. In some respects, it pales against the newer, cheaper DB11, but in others, unlike any other model in the marque’s current lineup, the S invokes that quintessential Aston Martin heritage.

2017 Aston Martin Vanquish S pricing and specifications:
Price: $489,950 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 6.0-litre V12 petrol
Output: 444kW/630Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 13.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 302g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: N/A

Share this article
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Expert rating
71/100
Engine, Drivetrain & Chassis
14/20
Price, Packaging & Practicality
12/20
Safety & Technology
14/20
Behind The Wheel
15/20
X-Factor
16/20
Pros
  • Hearty V12 engine
  • Full of character
  • Comfortable on-road dynamics
Cons
  • Ageing cabin
  • Body control
  • Intrusive stability control
Stay up to dateBecome a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Download the carsales app
    AppStoreDownloadGooglePlayDownload
    App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
    © CAR Group Ltd 1999-2024
    In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.