It has been 25 years this month since Aston Martin first unveiled the V12 Vanquish, a nameplate that has since become synonymous with the brand’s front-engined sports car heritage.
Now in its third generation, the current Vanquish remains the flagship of the range. Launched in 2024, this Super GT is powered by a 5,2-litre twin-turbo V12 delivering 614 kW and 1 000 Nm of torque, making it the most potent series-production model in the marque’s history at the time of its debut.
Aston Martin chief executive Adrian Hallmark said the Vanquish name had always represented something ambitious and daring since its arrival 25 years ago.
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“Over those years Vanquish has grown into a true Aston Martin icon and, in 2026, it remains nothing less than a symbol of what this exceptional British marque is capable of creating,” Hallmark said. “Like the fortunate owners who have chosen to add one, or more, of the three generations of Vanquish to their collections since 2001, I am immensely proud of what this model represents.”
The template for today’s Vanquish was laid down at the 2001 Geneva Motor Show, when the first model to carry the name made its debut.
V12 Vanquish | 2001-2007
The original V12 Vanquish was the final model built at Aston Martin’s then Newport Pagnell headquarters before the move to Gaydon in Warwickshire. It introduced technologies that were cutting edge at the time, including drive-by-wire throttle control and Formula 1-style paddle shifters.
Under the bonnet was a new 6,0-litre V12 producing 343 kW, paired with a paddle-shift gearbox. The car’s construction marked a significant step forward for the brand, using an aluminium tub and composite body panels. The body structure consisted of extruded aluminium sections bonded and riveted around a carbon fibre central transmission tunnel, with composite inner body sides and carbon fibre windscreen pillars bonded to form a high-strength safety cell.
Precise, computer-controlled manufacturing processes were developed in Cupertino, California, and at the University of Nottingham in the UK to make the structure possible.
The V12 Vanquish was later joined by the more powerful V12 Vanquish S and, ultimately, the V12 Vanquish S Ultimate Edition, securing its place in Aston Martin’s history.
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Vanquish | 2012-2018
The second generation arrived in 2012, with production starting the following year. Its exterior design drew influence from the One-77 hypercar, with every external panel made from aerospace-grade carbon fibre. That construction made the body 25% lighter than the DBS it replaced.
Power came from a revised 6,0-litre V12 producing 421 kW and 620 Nm, enough for a 0-100 km/h time of 4,1 seconds and a top speed of 294 km/h. Carbon ceramic Matrix brakes were fitted to reduce fade and improve heat dissipation.
The model was offered in 2+0 or 2+2 seating layouts, with boot space up to 368 litres. Later additions included a Volante convertible and higher-performance S versions with 447 kW and a top speed of 323 km/h.
Vanquish | 2024–present
The current Vanquish arrived in 2024 as the third distinct generation. Built around a bonded aluminium structure with double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, it features carbon fibre bodywork and a V12 engine developed in-house.
With 614 kW and 1 000 Nm of torque, the car achieves a 0-100 km/h time of 3,3 seconds and a top speed of 344 km/h, which at launch made it the fastest series-production Aston Martin to date. Carbon ceramic brakes come as standard, with 410 mm discs at the front and 360 mm at the rear.
The exterior features a lengthened wheelbase, with the distance between the A-pillar and front axle extended by 80 mm to create a longer bonnet and more rakish profile. Production is limited to fewer than 1 000 units a year.
Reflecting on the three generations, Aston Martin historian Steve Waddingham said the name Vanquish carried 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,” he said.
“The second and, now, third generations of our exceptional flagship Super GT have continued to live up to that aspiration and all those associated with Vanquish over the last 25 years can be rightly proud of the cars they have created.
“Any Aston Martin is, of course, a rare and special thing. But for a car to grow and develop as Vanquish has, through three distinct and exceptional generations, is, to my mind, an extra-special achievement, and it is therefore only right that we now celebrate 25 years of this flagship model.”
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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