Author: Radomskyi Maksym VasyliovychAston Martin Vanquish 25th Anniversary Edition — is not a separate new model, but an anniversary version of the current Vanquish III: just 50 cars in total, including 25 coupes and 25 Volante convertibles. The point of this series is simple: the brand’s flagship grand tourer with a big V12, rear-wheel drive, and very high speed, built for those who want an emotional long-distance machine rather than an all-round daily car.
For a potential owner, what matters is different: the anniversary series does not change the core nature of the Vanquish. It’s a very fast, exclusive, and expensive-to-own car with low ground clearance, a small trunk, and inevitable compromises in practicality, but with one of the most powerful production V12s in today’s Aston Martin range.
The model and its place in the market
Vanquish 25 sits at the top of the brand’s road-car lineup as a large front-mid-engined grand tourer. It’s not a narrowly focused track tool, but a car for very fast intercity trips, where not only acceleration figures matter, but also torque reserves, high-speed stability, and the sensation of a big V12.
Who it suits: someone looking for a rare weekend car or a long-distance cruiser, willing to accept high running costs and wanting the character of a twelve-cylinder engine specifically. Who it doesn’t: someone who drives in the city a lot, parks in tight spaces, needs a proper trunk, or wants predictable rationality.
Generations and model history
The Vanquish has had three main generations. The first was produced in 2001-2007, the second in 2012-2018, after which the model disappeared from the lineup for a while. The current Vanquish III was introduced in 2024, and it is the basis for the Vanquish 25th Anniversary Edition. In other words, the anniversary version is not a separate technical generation, but a limited series within the third generation.
Historically, the Vanquish has never been Aston Martin’s most mass-market car, but rather a showcase model for those who find a regular grand tourer not quite enough. In the current iteration, the emphasis has shifted even further toward speed, torque, and personalization through the Q by Aston Martin division.
Engines and transmissions
With the Vanquish 25, it’s straightforward: there is only one powertrain available. It’s a 5.2-liter V12 with twin turbochargers producing 824 hp and 1000 N·m. Peak torque is available across a broad 2500-5000 rpm range, so you don’t have to keep the engine at the top end all the time to go very fast.
The transmission is an 8-speed ZF automatic, drive is to the rear wheels, with a carbon driveshaft and a rear electronic differential. Both the coupe and the Volante are claimed at 3.3 s to 100 km/h. Top speed is nearly the same: 345 km/h for the coupe and 344 km/h for the Volante. A manual gearbox is not offered for this limited series, and deep engine tuning is questionable here: the factory setup is already tightly optimized for heat, loads, and calibrations.
Body, dimensions, and chassis
In format, it’s a large, low coupe or an open-top convertible, not a compact sports car. The long 2885 mm wheelbase supports straight-line stability, but the dimensions of 4855 mm in length and 2044 mm in width mean that in tight urban scenarios the Vanquish feels like a big car. Ground clearance is only 120 mm, so speed bumps, steep ramps, and curbs are a constant area of attention.
| Parameter | Vanquish Coupe | Vanquish Volante |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5.2 L V12 with twin turbochargers | 5.2 L V12 with twin turbochargers |
| Power | 824 hp | 824 hp |
| Torque | 1000 N·m | 1000 N·m |
| Transmission | 8-speed ZF automatic | 8-speed ZF automatic |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| 0-100 km/h | 3.3 s | 3.3 s |
| Top speed | 345 km/h | 344 km/h |
| Dimensions, mm | 4855/2044/1290 | 4855/2044/1295 |
| Wheelbase | 2885 mm | 2885 mm |
| Ground clearance | 120 mm | 120 mm |
| Curb weight | 1910 kg | 2005 kg |
| Trunk | 248 L | 219 L, or 187 L with the roof folded |
| Fuel tank | 82 L | 82 L |
| Fuel consumption | 13.7 L/100 km | 14.1 L/100 km |
The chassis is built for high-speed control: adaptive dampers, an electronic differential, carbon-ceramic brakes (410 mm front and 360 mm rear), and wide tires (275/35 front and 325/30 rear). All of this provides a very high stability margin, but on rough surfaces the car can feel firm and constantly busy over small imperfections.
Interior, comfort, and safety
In the coupe, the cabin layout is 2+0, meaning it’s effectively a two-seater. In the Volante, a 2+2 configuration is possible, but it still shouldn’t be considered a family option. Up front there are premium materials, a low seating position, a distinctive center console, and the atmosphere of an expensive grand tourer rather than just a fast coupe.
On comfort, the Vanquish is strong in finish quality and the 1170 W Bowers & Wilkins audio system with 15 speakers. On safety, the main emphasis is on mechanical control: very powerful brakes, precise traction management, an electronic differential, and a stable chassis. At the same time, don’t expect the logic of a big practical liftback from this model: road and wind noise are more noticeable than you’d like for this kind of money.
Everyday use
In daily life, the key compromises are obvious. The coupe’s trunk is 248 L; the Volante’s is even smaller, especially with the roof folded. Visibility and body width demand attention in parking lots, and the 120 mm ground clearance doesn’t forgive careless approaches to curbs and ramps.
Fuel consumption is high even on paper: 13.7-14.1 L/100 km. The 82 L fuel tank provides a decent touring range for a grand tourer, but trip costs will still be significant. Plus, there are still few long-term owner reports, so it’s reasonable to be cautious about reliability over many years: this is more of a car for an experienced enthusiast than for someone who just wants to get in and not think about costs and service.
Strengths and weaknesses
| Aspect | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Very strong V12, huge low-end torque, rare character | High fuel consumption and expensive running costs |
| Chassis | High-speed stability, strong brakes, a composed big-coupe balance | Can feel firm on uneven roads |
| Body | Striking proportions, clear difference between the coupe and Volante | Low ground clearance and great width complicate city driving |
| Interior | Premium materials, strong audio system, flagship feel | The coupe is effectively two-seater; practicality is low |
| Travel | Great for very fast highway runs | Noticeable road and wind noise |
| Exclusivity | Limited to 50 cars and a wide level of personalization | High entry price and more difficult resale to a narrow audience |
From an owner’s perspective, the main advantage of the Vanquish 25 is that it delivers a real event behind the wheel even without a track: the engine, response, and stability are felt every time. The main downside is just as honest: practicality is limited, and any trip, maintenance, or a set of tires will cost a lot.
Tuning and accessories
For the Vanquish 25, the most sensible choices are not radical modifications, but protection and small refinements for real-world use. Deep power tuning for such a V12 has almost no practical justification: the factory has already delivered the maximum, and вмешательство in cooling, exhaust, and calibrations quickly hits durability, warranty, and liquidity.
What to consider for this model
- sound and vibration insulation — worthwhile if you want to reduce background noise on the highway and make long trips less tiring.
- EVA floor mats — practical for a low cabin, where dust, water, and small dirt from shoes build up quickly.
- door sill protectors — useful for protecting the paint in the entry area, which on a wide coupe quickly picks up scratches.
In essence, the smartest approach for a car like this is to protect the body and interior rather than try to make it even faster. This is already a finished flagship product, where accessories should serve convenience, quietness, and condition preservation.
Conclusion
The Vanquish 25th Anniversary Edition is a very narrowly focused car: a flagship V12 grand tourer for those who consciously choose emotion, rarity, and a speed reserve over versatility. If you need everyday comfort without compromises, this model is unlikely to fit; if you want a rare long-distance machine with character, the Vanquish 25 looks very strong. This material is based on real selection experience, practice, and real usage scenarios, so the main takeaway is simple: you should buy this car not for the numbers in the brochure, but for a clear understanding of its strengths and weaknesses in real-world use.
