Much is said about English cars, and even more is said about top-notch sports cars in general. But the Queen Elizabeth’s four-wheeled countrymen who are receiving all the most recent spotlights have a MINI badge in front of them, while the most famous sports cars usually are the ones from Germany, Italy, Japan and United States. So how would it be to read about an English first-level sports car? That’s what you’re gonna read about at this article, along with finding out that this country has a whole world to offer also in this subject.
If we pay more attention, it’s easy to see that each country has a particular way of making their sports cars. This fact goes beyond the differences of each brand, and bases itself on the emotional side of this car category: as they don’t have to satisfy daily needs such as the ones fulfilled by minivans or pick-up trucks, their companies become totally free not only to express their ideals, but also to express a little of the culture of their own country. For example, the German car usually stand out by the mechanical excellence, with all sorts of state-of-the-art technology to improve as many aspects of the car as it is possible. On the other side, nobody masters the design part as France, whose cars are always showing a new way to dazzle everyone with bold and futuristic lines. And about the Italian cars, we can start saying that “they have style”. From the weird look of the first Fiat Multipla to the plastic string which opened Ferrari F40’s doors, it’s nice to see how intensely they focus at their proposals, even if it means committing a few mistakes. But, again, how about the English? The cars from Hitchcock’s country are elegant, classy. Since the charismatic Mini Cooper, including the extreme luxury of Rolls-Royce and ending with Aston Martin.
Totally restyled, Vanquish has improved in many ways, but specially much more appealing. The muse now was One-77, which gave to the older brother this better sculpted design, with plenty of strong folds to bring a more imposing appearance. And of course, this “genetic connection” actually links Vanquish to all of the most recent Aston Martins and escapes from solutions such as the straight lines of Lamborghini, the round lines of Bentley or all those innovation attempts who characterize Ferrari’s cars in nowadays. Vanquish literally evolves the previous generation’s concept, because the new one reminds it in every angle from which you look it but at the same time gives the impression that everything got better. Which is a very pleasant fact, and the pictures prove it: the new car makes much clearer that the older one’s lines were too clean, precisely without some strong details to make it more attractive. So, if that one looks a little older than it really is, if we put it right next to the new one this difference seems huge. The front end and its double-deck bumper with big air intakes, the sides with a strong line born at the air exhaust and the wide fenders, and a rear who takes all the attentions to the boomerang-shaped lights, it’s really easy to fall in love with this car.
The interior is another delight, starting with the space: this car can be purchased at the 2+2 option, which takes two children at the rear seats, or the 2+0, dedicated to those who prefer to achieve high speeds with only one passenger. The pictures anticipate that this car does remind of that level of luxury so typical of Rolls-Royce and the now extinct Maybach, where the customer can choose colors and materials to its exact wish. Maybe Aston Martin won’t paint it in yellow with purple dots and red triangles, but there are a lot of options both to the coating and the details, allowing contrasts with Alcantara seats and details in black piano or everything in leather. There are plenty of security items, but the weight is kept under control due to the large use of carbon fiber. This car uses a V12 6.0, which generates 573 hp and turns Vanquish into the most potent production car ever made by Aston Martin. This super-engine takes it at the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 4s1 and to the top speed of 295 km/h – only One-77 is faster than it. This car will start its sales at Europe in a few months, and at the United States in early 2013, with suggested price of US$ 295.000.
