Aston Martin Vanquish - 25 years & three generations of V12 power
Time really does fly when you’re having fun.
I’d imagine that is what owners of the original Aston Martin Vanquish are probably saying as 2026 marks 25 years of the popular V12-powered model.
When the new nameplate was first revealed in 2001, it represented the most sophisticated and technologically advanced car ever made by Aston Martin. And still, 25 years later, it remains the pinnacle of the brand’s front-engined sports car range, with each generation more powerful than the last and spawning its own specialised iterations.
As a James Bond fan, the Vanquish first came on my radar during Pierce Brosnan’s final outing in Die Another Day. Yes, the film wasn’t a favourite, and the Vanquish’s ability to turn invisible was used as a stick to beat it with; however, as a 10-year-old kid, it was pretty exciting to witness it in action, being chased across the icy terrain of Iceland by henchman Zao in a Jaguar XKR.
Pierce Brosnan reunited with the Aston Martin Vanquish last year
credit: Aston Martin
“I am immensely proud of what this model represents”
Aston Martin CEO, Adrian Hallmark, said: “Since its arrival 25 years ago, the Vanquish nameplate has been synonymous with something special; something ambitious, different and daring.
“Over those years Vanquish has grown into a true Aston Martin icon and, in 2026, it remains nothing less than a symbol of what this exceptional British marque is capable of creating. Like the fortunate owners who have chosen to add one, or more, of the three generations of Vanquish to their collections since 2001 I am immensely proud of what this model represents.”
Let’s take a look at each of the three generation models in further detail…
First Generation Vanquish
2001-2007
credit: H&H Classics Ltd
Designed by the legendary Ian Callum, and unveiled at the 2001 Geneva Motor Show, the Aston Martin Vanquish featured a new 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 460 bhp and mated to an F1-inspired paddle-shift gearbox. The model was the final to be built at Aston Martin’s Newport Pagnell HQ before its move to Gaydon in Warwickshire.
Much of the Vanquish’s design and build was groundbreaking at the time, including the drive-by-wire throttle control and F1-style finger-tip controlled gearshift paddles. It also used an aluminium tub and composite body panels, while computer controlled manufacturing processes developed in California’s Silicon Valley, and the University of Nottingham, were used to create the structures.
Aston Martin built 1,492 units of its Vanquish between 2001 and 2005, with popularity later spawning the V12 Vanquish S and V12 Vanquish S Ultimate Edition models.
Second Generation Vanquish
2012-2018
credit: Mr.choppers
Current Aston Martin chief creative officer and studio head Marek Reichman took over design duties for the second generation Vanquish, which was first revealed as Project AM310 at Italy’s Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in 2012. The production version was then showcased at that summer’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, before further presentations at the London Film Museum and Monterey Car Week.
As the first Vanquish to be created at Aston Martin’s Gaydon facility, it represented a new direction for the nameplate, and its more aggressive exterior form took inspiration from the One-77 hypercar.
The use of precision cut aerospace standard carbon fibre made the second generation Vanquish around 25% lighter than its DBS predecessor. Powered by a significantly improved 6.0-litre V12 engine with bigger throttle bodies, new fuel pumps and air boxes, it put out 565bhp and 457lb ft of torque. On the road, this meant a 0-62mph acceleration time of 4.1 seconds, and a top speed of 183mph was possible — speeds so high they required Carbon Ceramic Matrix braking technology.
The model was available in 2+0 or 2+2 seating configurations, and around 4,000 to 4,500 — including Coupe and Volante models — were created.
Third Generation Vanquish
2024-present day
credit: Aston Martin
Designed once again by Marek Reichman and built to rival the Ferrari 12Cilindri, the third and current generation Vanquish is now the pinnacle of Aston’s front-engined range and the height of British luxury.
Strictly limited to only 1,000 examples per year, and costing a cool £330,000, the third-gen Vanquish is powered by a new 5.2-litre Twin-Turbo V12 producing 823bhp and 1000Nm of torque. The new benchmark of performance for the Vanquish nameplate is solidified by its 0-62mph acceleration time of 3.3 seconds and 214mph top speed, making it (at the time of launch) the fastest Aston Martin series production model to date.
Like its Vantage and DB12, the new Vanquish is built around a bonded aluminium body structure with double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. Its newly engineered chassis has an 80mm longer wheelbase for a more dramatic look.
“An extra special achievement”
Reflecting on the three generations of Vanquish to date, Aston Martin Historian, Steve Waddingham, said: “Any Aston Martin is, of course, a rare and special thing. But for a car to grow and develop as Vanquish has, through three distinct and exceptional generations, is, to my mind, an extra special achievement, and it is therefore only right that we now celebrate 25 years of this flagship model.”
Long live the Vanquish.
words: Mike Booth
pictures: Aston Martin