We’re constantly being told that we’re in the twilight years of internal combustion, and the zeitgeist seems to largely reflect that. From the death of the Hellcat V8 to the rumored engined downsizing of the Lamborghini Huracan replacement, we’re losing gasoline-powered heroes, so when the 5.2-liter force-fed V12 started disappearing from the Aston Martin lineup, it was easy to fear the worst. Well, good news: Aston Martin’s V12 didn’t die. In fact, it just got more powerful.
Aston Martin claims this to be a new V12, but it’s a little more like a heavily revised V12. The block’s been strengthened, as have the connecting rods to handle more grunt. The cylinder heads have been changed so much, the spark plugs are no longer in their last-known positions. New low-inertia turbochargers compress more air, which meets more fuel courtesy of higher flow-rated injectors. The result? A bonkers 824 horsepower and 738 lb.-ft. of torque.
That’s 35 more horsepower and 208 more lb.-ft. of torque than you get in a Ferrari 812 Superfast, 84 more horsepower and 148 lb.-ft. more torque than a McLaren 750S, figures that put Aston’s latest V12 variant in the upper echelons of non-electrified supercar powerplants. Best of all, we’ll be seeing this titan under the hood of a road car rather soon. As per the media release:
[This V12] will make its first appearance in a new flagship model; sitting at the heart of a true dynamic disruptor that debuts later in 2024 when further technical details will be shared.
All will be vanquished.
Well, that’s about as subtle as a sledgehammer. The last time we saw the Vanquish nameplate was on a mid-engined concept. That’s not happening, but a successor to the DBS V12 grand tourer has been spotted testing, and the Vanquish name holds a special place in front-engined Aston Martin history.
From the 2001 V12 Vanquish that starred in “Die Another Day” and got called “The Ultimate Grand Tourer” by Road & Track to the One-77-inspired 2013 Vanquish, this nameplate’s been previously reserved for the pinnacle of front-engined Astons. With this mighty V12 under the hood, there’s little chance the next Vanquish will disappoint. Does anyone have a Powerball ticket?
(Photo credits: Aston Martin)
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I’m glad that there’s still a few V12’s being made. It’d be a shame if they disappeared completely
I mean, follows the alternating Aston Martin flagship name rule
Vanquish – DBS – Vanquish – DBS – Vanquish again
I wonder when they’ll move on from ‘Vanquish’ and to ‘Annihilation’
Is it Aston Martin’s V12 or is it Mercedes-AMG V12 built for Aston Martin?
I believe it’s a further revision of the V12 that debuted with the DB7 V12 Vantage.
Good Question – but the Mercedes-AMG V12 is a 6.0L