Aston Martin Vanquis S

FIRST UK DRIVE Pumped-up GT takes old-school V12 engine out in style.

- Jonathan Burn

ASTON is currently revelling in the success of its new DB11; order books are bursting and a drop-top version is also on the horizon. But the brand’s new GT is causing a small problem, because it treads lightly on the toes of the ageing Vanquish.

This pumped-up and jewellery clad second-generation Vanquish S has been brought in to help give one of Aston’s most established models a bit of breathing space alongside its younger brother. The recipe is quite simple – to add a little bit more of everything. The suspension, performance, styling and price tag have all been enhanced to mark it out as Aston’s flagship super-GT.

Visually, there’s no mistaking it for anything else in Aston’s range. Carbon fibre has been added to the front splitter and rear diffuser, but as well as looking pretty, the new front end is designed to help eradicate lift and reduce understeer.