Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
The first V12 Vanquish joined bonded aluminium, carbon-fibre structures and hand-finished aluminium panels to a paddle-controlled manual gearbox.
2001-2007 Aston Martin Vanquish (50432981063).jpg · Kieran White · CC BY 2.0
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More than a set of wheels.
Developed from the 1998 Project Vantage concept, Vanquish entered production in 2001 and became the last new model built at Newport Pagnell before the Gaydon era took over. Its mix of extruded aluminium, carbon fibre and hand-finished body panels bridged traditional craft and a more structural approach to composites. This profile stops before the 520 bhp Vanquish S update.
Look a little closer.
The Vanquish name literally describes overcoming an opponent; Aston Martin used it for a car that also marked the end of more than 50 years of production at Newport Pagnell when the final first-generation car was completed in 2007.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
Craft and composites in one body
Vanquish paired a bonded extruded-aluminium structure with carbon-fibre crash components, then covered it with hand-finished superformed aluminium panels. The construction story is neither purely traditional nor purely modern—it deliberately uses both.
Source: Aston Martin · Vanquish & Vanquish S ↗An automated manual, not an automatic
The six-speed unit retains manual-gearbox architecture while hydraulic actuators operate the shift and clutch. That distinction explains both the steering-wheel controls and the characteristic interruption in power between ratios.
Source: Car and Driver · Aston Martin Vanquish first drive ↗Where these facts come from
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed October 21, 2026.