Posh, high-performance coupes and convertibles have long been Aston Martin's stock in trade. Modern Aston Martin's pursuit of growth—part of its quest for profitability—has seen the brand expand into sports cars, supercars, SUVs, and ultra-low-production variants thereof. But ultrafast, ultraluxe, and ultralovely grand touring coupes and convertibles remain at the brand's core.
Cars like the new Vanquish , which arrived last fall as a stunning coupe, and now the Vanquish Volante, its open-top counterpart. Both stand as the ultimate expression of Aston Martin–ness. That means the Vanquish occupies a loftier perch than the thematically similar DB12 , which also is available in Volante form.
Differences versus its penultimate sibling can be summarized as: size, style, and motivation. Befitting its status, the Vanquish is the most grandly proportioned of Aston Martin's grand tourers. It is 6.
5 inches longer overall, and its wheelbase extends 3.1 inches inches further than the DB12's. All of that extra wheelbase is situated between the base of the windshield and the front axle, as the front of the car effectively stretches forward, a visual totem of the Vanquish's other great differentiator: its V-12 engine, which nestles entirely behind the front axle.
The twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V-12 is a fresh design, even as this engine configuration dwindles to a tiny dot in the firmament of modern powertrains. But it burns more brightly than ever, boasting 64 more horses than Aston.