First Drive: 2002 Aston Martin Vanquish
Aston claims its new flagship will do 0-60 mph in 4.5 sec, and we've zippo reason to doubt it. It's just got power everywhere: musclecar-like torque down low, high-revving power up top, and even though the transmission has six gears, it could get by with two, given the flexibility and width of the powerband. Open the throttles, and the intake and exhaust systems just howl; back off, and it's quiet on the cruise.
We're pleased to say the Vanquish represents the first acceptably satisfying application of this type of electrohydraulic manumatic shift mechanism. Bury your foot, snick the paddle at 7000 rpm, and the entire off-the-gas/clutch/shift/de-clutch/hit-the-gas process happens in just 300 milliseconds. When you're driving hard, the shift is aggressive; at milder throttle openings, the gear change is softer. Downshifts are even better, because the engine-management system does the throttle blip and rev matching for you. Perfectly. Every time. A conventional manual tranny isn't even offered, and won't be missed by most drivers.
The result of all the suspension fine-tuning is a ride/handling balance that's at the sportier edge of GT: not "knife-edged sports car," but in no way flabby or over-insulated. An appropriately Aston-supple ride, while maintaining complete communication with the road, was among the goals, and we'd say they've hit this combination squarely on the money. Body roll is minimal, yet suspension travel is adequate. The aggressive 19-in. rolling stock sticks tenaciously, turn-in is excellent, and the overall handling attitude is neutral.
Brakes? All you want: firm, communicative, fade-resistant, with absolutely minimal front-end dive. More raves for the steering: super quick, lots of feedback and weight without any kick, just enough power assist to make parking easy, with good centering. All in all, a simply superlative driving experience in every way.
Our few quibbles center on the interior. There was no way to preserve the design's steeply raked windscreen and backlight without mildly compromising visibility. The thick A-post is also a bother until you get used to it. Aston designers went through a great deal of trouble and expense to cast several interior panels and fittings in aluminum; yet they could not achieve the finish they wanted in order to leave them in a natural metal state-so they're painted, which reduces the effect. There's a certain retro-look to the gauges that just doesn't ring right when played against the rest of the relatively modern interior.
But it matters little. This is an extraordinarily special and ultimately satisfying machine, a thoroughbred in every sense of the word. And a rare one at that: Perhaps 60 of them will make our shores this year, out of 200 or so to be built. Production increases to 300 next year, with no more than a third coming our way. And they're all presold-even with a base price of $228,000.
Must be nice.