Aston Martin’s new V12 is a response to ‘resurgent demand’
It might seem strange that Aston Martin is launching a brand-new V12-powered model in 2024 amid tightening emissions and noise regulations, but according to the company’s product strategy boss the third-generation Vanquish is the direct result of “resurgent demand”.
Speaking with media at the international media drive of the new Vanquish – which is powered by a significantly overhauled 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 that the British luxury marque labels as “all-new” and a “complete redesign” compared to the outgoing DBS Superleggera – director of product strategy manager for Aston Martin, Alex Long, said “multi-cylinder engines” are making a comeback in the ultra luxury segments.
“[The Vanquish has] an all-new engine and powertrain which is critical for us, and perhaps surprising in this modern era to reinvest and build a new V12,” said Mr Long said.
“[It’s] very exciting, and a passion play for us, but actually one that’s really sensible because there is resurgent demand, even now, for very special engines, multi-cylinder engines – V12 in particular.”
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Camera IconAston Martin Vanquish Credit: CarExpert
Other than preserving the bore and stroke of the outgoing power unit, basically everything else was changed in the carmaker’s flagship engine during the course of a five-year program, explained Aston Martin’s director of vehicle performance, Simon Newton.
There are newer, lighter turbos that have less inertia and can spin 15 per cent faster than before, fed by a new fuel-system that delivers 10 per cent higher flow than before. Combustion pressures are up 15 per cent, and the turbo charge is quoted as 30 per cent more stable.
Mr Newton said the extensive rework delivers more power and lower emissions than the DBS Superleggera’s V12, despite displacing the same capacity.
Now, the Vanquish offers a thundering 614kW of power and 1000Nm of torque, up from the most potent DBS 770 Ultimate’s 566kW and 900Nm outputs. Aston Martin’s renewed V12 offers the highest specific output of any road-going Aston Martin ever, at 160 PS (117.68kW) per litre – even more than the screaming Valkyrie hypercar.
Furthermore, the Vanquish’s top speed of 345km/h is the fastest of any series-production Aston Martin before it. It’s also one-tenth quicker to 100km/h, at 3.3 seconds.
Camera IconAston Martin Valiant Credit: CarExpertCamera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpertCamera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpertCamera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert
The brand’s V12 investment won’t stop at the Vanquish, either.
When it confirmed the new power unit back in May, Aston Martin indicated the overhauled engine would feature across the brand’s “most exclusive and limited availability models”.
In addition to at least one Vanquish-based super-limited special like the distinctive Valour and Valiant, we’d wager there may be another iteration of the V12 Vantage or perhaps even a V12-engined DB12 in the works.
The new V12 is the latest step in Aston Martin’s overhaul, led by billionaire and chairperson Lawrence Stroll and a consortium of investors.
Mr Stroll told the UK’s Autocar earlier this year that the company will be scrapping its plans to have a “fully electrified” core lineup by 2030, instead focusing on plug-in hybrid technology. The first electrified model is expected to be the mid-engined Valhalla supercar.
The company chairman added there will “always be demand” for combustion-engined cars, and has pledged to sell them for as long as the company is legally allowed.
Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert
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