Aston Martin has a rich history of building high-end, high-performance sports cars with engines in the front, but now it's betting that legacy on a mid-engine future that includes the next-generation Vanquish. This drastic change in philosophy is still a couple of years in the making, but we have a handful of juicy details and lots of hopeful speculation to keep us interested in the meantime.
Although the new Vanquish will share its basic layout with the forthcoming Valhalla and Valkyrie hypercars, it won't be limited in production or cost millions of dollars. It will feature a new hybrid V-6 powertrain that the company is creating in-house and plans to proliferate throughout its portfolio. With its engine now located behind the driver, and able to produce an estimated output of up to 700 horsepower, the 2024 Vanquish should be more of a match for competitors such as the Ferrari F8 Tributo and McLaren 720S.
Engine Performance
Aston Martin has confirmed that it will no longer be bolting an AMG-sourced engine into the Vanquish. Instead, the British automaker is developing its own powerplant. While many specifics are still being kept under wraps, we do know that it'll be a new hybrid 3.0-liter V-6 that could develop up to 700 horsepower. While this is the same engine that will power the upcoming Valhalla and Valkyrie hypercars, it will be a less extreme (read: less powerful) example in the Vanquish.
While those limited-production models are being co-developed with Red Bull Racing, Aston said it's developing the Vanquish alone. The company has also confirmed that the Vanquish will feature a bonded-aluminum spaceframe instead of the carbon-fiber tub that will be used on the company's hypercars. The lack of aggressive aerodynamic technology that adorned the concept suggests this Aston will be more of a grand tourer than its much more expensive track-focused siblings.
Fuel Economy
Neither the EPA nor Aston Martin have said how fuel efficient the Vanquish will be in the city or on the highway. When those estimates are announced, and when we have the chance to get behind the wheel, we will test it on our 200-mile highway fuel-economy route to evaluate its real-world mpg.
Interior Design
The Vanquish nameplate will be entering new territory with the switch to a mid-engine layout. That means everything we've previously known about its interior has gone out the window, and our expectations for its new digs are solely based on speculation. We have heard that its cabin will be roomier than Aston's other upcoming mid-engine hypercars. Apart from the additional passenger space, it's hard to predict how the company will choose to outfit the Vanquish's cabin. There will no doubt be a vast amount of customization options, upscale materials, and racy elements throughout. If there's one thing we can say for sure, it's that the next-generation Vanquish will go without the tiny back seat that was present on its predecessor.
Price
Next-gen Vanquish will start around $300,000 when it eventually goes on sale. That's a far cry from the seven-figure price tags that will be attached to Aston's mid-engine hypercars, but it's still out of reach for the vast majority of enthusiasts. Although we can't say for sure, there's a good chance the next Vanquish could have a roofless version to compete against the retractable-roof models offered by such rivals as the 720S.
0 Comments