The sky is gray, the rain fall to almost the murky panes and the walls of jagged brick: Who Works for Aston Martin in Newport Pagnell runs through the parking lot, who believes the British had frozen in time. But the first impression is deceptive. Although the company is celebrating its 100th in January 2013 Birthday and therefore places a high value on right now tradition.
No car proves that better than the flagship Vanquish, the Aston Martin is now making the most beautiful, largest and strongest birthday present itself. Again, this amounts to a sports car, despite five years of production break known at first glance. But apart from the name, the format and the aluminum structure inside the new Vanquish has nothing in common with that of low-flying aircraft, which was presented in 2002 and the comeback of the brand with the "Wing" in winged grille.
The new design is inspired by the multi-million dollar supercar One-77. The body is now baked because of the beautiful forms and not because of the weight of carbon, bent instead of aluminum sheets. Inside, there is a little more space without having the two pits in the rear seats would actually call.
Trunk almost Golf Size
And the trunk has now. 368 liters with almost the size of the new Gulf In addition, the center console works out a new navigation system and the touch keys for Air & Co recall behind her dark glass not by chance on Iphone and Ipad.
But the main course in a sports car is the engine. Although still has twelve cylinders and six liters and will continue produced by Aston Martin specialist in Ford Hall in Cologne. "But apart from the displacement is nothing like it was," says development manager Ian Minard. Block, head, valve control - everything has been redesigned. Instead then 460 of the Vanquish has therefore now 573 hp and the maximum torque rises from 502 to 620 Nm.
That a car of this caliber developed enough thrust is not a surprise. And that to overtake little more than a blink need is in these circles as a set. But what impressed so much on the Vanquish is cultivated's power development. Delay as the athlete his tuxedo never made, you feel even when intermediate sprint no real hurry, and even far beyond the recommended speed is still a quiet one pulse.
At least, until you two sports left and right keys in the steering wheel or press the foot down leaves all freedom. Then shall the Leisetreter loud roars all over the world meet its immense power. The chassis is stiffer than it is loving the discs, you will slide deeper into the seat, every Sprint feels the fist in his stomach and raced faster towards the horizon, as the eyes can focus: 4.1 seconds from 0 to 100 and 295 km / h top - in the car, the Vanquish quartet must indeed be overcome by so many other top athletes. But on a rough English country road, he is hard to beat.
Through the curve without embracing
It is not only the Vanquish fast on the straight. But with its 1.7 tons for a V12 model comparatively easy and above all perfectly balanced, it can be even at high speeds safely and cleanly measure exactly to the curves. Helps a controller that is translated so directly that you do not even embrace in hairpins must: give in under braking, which run through, driving away: As soon as you see a curve, she disappears into the Vanquish also already in the rearview mirror.
This could go on the trip and on forever with every curve looks forward even at the reduced consumption. Not because an Aston Martin customers would really care if now only 14.4 rushing sooner rather almost 20 liters per 100 kilometers through the cylinder. But because so still can enjoy a few more curves, until one of the on-board computer to break at the pump forces.
A bit of criticism
Despite the enthusiasm of the Vanquish but offers plenty of room for criticism - especially when you have the price of 249,995 euros in mind. Then one looks forward to true vinyl and leather. But it also bothers to set sloppy seams and slanted stitches. One wonders about the cheap pitman arm from the Ford rack and the well-known navigation system. And one is frowning over the crackling loud and clear in the rafters of the otherwise so stiff carbon racer.
No assistance systems
Most irritating one but the lack of any assistance systems. It may well be that Aston Martin drivers are experienced and far-sighted in the eyes of CEO Ulrich Bez, that they can well do without such extras. And a start-stop system in a sports car will really have none. But an automatic distance control, or at least an electric handbrake in this price class in 2012 simply de rigueur.
The murky window in Newport Pagnell are quickly waxed, the brick walls plastered fresh and soon even the sky is at the end of the test drive again bright blue. Only the antiquated hand brake halfway down in the foot well of the test car testifies that the time is at Aston Martin maybe stopped a little.
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