Of course, with such an aggressive image Aston Martin made sure that the Vanquish was more than just another pretender when it came to performance. The standard Vanquish is powered by a 5.9 liter, 12-cylinder engine that pumps out 460 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed sequential transmission handles gear shifts without the use of a clutch, providing a more direct, performance-oriented shifting experience. For those who can never have enough power, the Vanquish S features a re-tuned edition of the same motor that provides an obscene 520 ponies and 426 lb-ft of torque. The base version of the Vanquish can hit 60 miles per hour from a standing start in just 4.4 seconds, while the Vanquish S knocks that number down to 4.0. The top speed of the Vanquish S is a stunning 210 miles per hour – too fast for most ordinary people, but perfect for a vampire with super-quick reflexes. The S is also lower and features huge 6-piston brakes in the front to add a greater amount of authority to the brake pedal’s already considerable stopping power.
The Vanquish is stocked to the brim with the kind of luxury that only the British can provide. As longtime suppliers of cars to movie super spy James Bond, Aston Martin are well versed in the need to marry elegance and comfort with superior performance. The materials used throughout the Vanquish’s cabin are of the highest quality, and road noise is kept to a minimum thanks to the excellent build quality of the vehicle. While the Vanquish does offer a vestigial back seat, its small dimensions leave it best suited to carry small packages or maybe a grocery bag or two. The Vanquish is best enjoyed from behind the wheel, and that’s where Edward Cullen himself prefers to be, both in life and on the road.
