Aston Martin’s V12 Vanquish was the company’s heavy hitter GT of the 2000s decade. Between 2001 and 2007, just over 2,500 examples of the Vanquish were produced, composed of 1,492 standard 2+2 coupes, and 1,086 of the sportier S version that ditched the rear seats.
Now, a select few customers can have a thoroughly reengineered Vanquish S, created by the man who designed the original.
Ian Callum designed many Aston Martins of the 2000s, and most recently was design director at Jaguar. As he planned to leave the Jaguar nine to five behind, he decided to set up his own company – CALLUM. Several former employees from Jaguar Land Rover joined Callum at the new company, and the group decided on a first project: a redesigned Vanquish.
The customer base for such a special car is mostly existing owners of the Vanquish, who want another, more special version. Callum and crew are happy to help, and will work their magic on an owner’s Vanquish S, or source one for the customer.
The Vanquish 25 features a number of exterior detail changes: New grilles of milled aluminum, carbon fiber inlets in place of the gawky original driving lamps, and a new front and rear LED light assemblies. Mr. Callum also reworked the interior with various carbon fiber components, a shaved down steering wheel rim, upgraded leather, and a center screen from Alpine. On the rear parcel shelf, luxurious matching luggage appears. The overall interior look is one of Ford switchgear plus additional detailing Aston couldn’t afford when the Vanquish was new. The whole car features many examples of Abstract Tartan, a geometric design that is set to be the company’s hallmark.
Underhood, the 5.9-liter V12 of the original car remains, but horsepower is up by 60. to 580. There’s a new intake, a heavily revised exhaust which exits at the rear and through the hood, and new engine management. There are three transmission options on the revised car. The standard Vanquish single-clutch automated manual (loved by few) can be kept, or swapped for a six-speed automatic from GM, or a six-speed manual swap can be performed by Aston Martin Works.
Well-heeled customers will have to make these tough calls for their Vanquish 25. As the name suggests, the car will be limited to a production of 25 examples. The exclusive car comes with an exclusive price: After you purchase a Vanquish S (probably $80,000 or more), you’ll need to hand over an additional $600,000. Once you’ve paid, all work will be performed in England by R-Reforged, a firm with a history of making high-buck custom cars.
Doubtful they’ll have any trouble finding 25 customers in short order for such an assuredly Rare Ride. For a nice video review of the Vanquish 25, check out the latest from Harry’s Garage.
[Images: CALLUM]
“…an additional $600,000”
You’ve got to be kidding.
#investment
#sillyinvestment, if you ask me. Is this model really so special that all these updates justify six hundred large? I don’t think so. I like the Vanquish, and these updates are top shelf, but it’s a 2000s vintage model with a ton of Ford stuff inside, not a ’60s vintage Aston. Meh. If I had to have a Vanquish, I’d just pick a good used one and have it worked over if it needed it.
The Focus and Contour switches don’t do a whole lot for me, if I’m honest. At least it doesn’t have a Taurus wheel.
Yawn
R U serious?
Hey Aston Marton Vaginasquish,
1990s Oldsmobile called, they want their dull, monotone steering wheel back.
What’s funny is that that steering wheel was used by a number of low-volume sports car manufacturers, including Aston Martin, Morgan and Wiessmann.
Always loved the look of this car, and the updates are great, but six hundred grand? I’d just go for a new one instead.
I loved the six years I’ve spent with my 2007 Ridgeline. Excelled in everything I threw at it. Absolute beast in snow. It handled snow much better than Tacoma Trd Pro. The Tacoma needed 300lbs of sand in the bed just to stay on the road.
Gas mileage for the Ridgeline? Terrible. Reliability? Stellar.
I would buy a first generation again in a heart beat. Current generation? Sorry, can’t get past its Pilot looks
And I loved three years I spent with my Lada. It had 80 hp 1.5L OHC engine. It was fabulous, the future classic. And it had no Ford parts too. Everything was authentic Lada.
Ian Callum! The man who is responsible for the “ubiquitous modern coupe shape”! If it weren’t for Ian Callum it would be nearly impossible to confuse some many modern coupes at a glance.
Although I’ll credit GM and the Camaro even though its failing miserably for bucking the trend of stealing Callum’s sexy coupe shape.
A world without string is chaos.