2024 Aston Martin Vanquish Review

In Malaysia's ultra-luxury GT market, the Aston Martin Vanquish has always been synonymous with "elegant performance." With the official release of the 2024 model, this new creation, powered by an 835PS V12 twin-turbo engine, not only continues the brand's GT legacy but also achieves upgrades in both performance and technological features. The main purpose of this test drive is to verify whether it can strike the perfect balance between "long-distance comfort" and "extreme performance," while also meeting the actual needs of local high-end consumers.

The exterior of the 2024 Vanquish retains Aston Martin's iconic sleek lines. The overall design is low and elongated, with a body proportion of 4850mm in length and 2044mm in width, offering perfect harmony complemented by 21-inch large wheels for a commanding presence. The front features a smoked honeycomb grille, with sharp LED headlamp clusters on both sides. The daytime running lights form slender strips with high recognition. A side body waistline stretches from the front fenders to the rear, blending with the fastback shape to maintain the elegance of a GT model while enhancing its sporty appeal. At the rear, the LED taillights use a through-type design, which is highly noticeable when illuminated. The dual four-exhaust layout and diffuser design further underscore its performance characteristics. The lighting system comes standard with LEDs, while automatic headlights and rear fog lights meet daily usage needs.

Inside, the interior predominantly uses leather and Alcantara materials, offering a delicate touch and elevating the sense of luxury. The center console layout is simple, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen positioned centrally, delivering smooth operations and supporting functions such as Bluetooth and CarPlay. The instrument panel is also a 10.25-inch TFT screen, providing clear displays and allowing style adjustments for different driving modes. The steering wheel is electrically adjustable, featuring multifunction buttons and paddle shifters with a full-handed grip. In terms of seating, both the front driver's and passenger's seats support 16-way electric adjustments, offering excellent wrapping and support. Extended seating won't cause fatigue. Other features such as dual-zone automatic climate control, a Bowers & Wilkins 15-speaker audio system, a fixed panoramic sunroof with a sunshade, further enhance cabin comfort. In terms of storage, the central armrest and door panel compartments have moderate capacity, while the trunk, with a capacity of 248L, though not large, is sufficient for placing two carry-on suitcases needed for long-distance travel.

In the power department, the 2024 Vanquish is equipped with a 5.2L V12 twin-turbocharged engine with a maximum output of 614kW (835PS) and a peak torque of 1000N·m, paired with an 8AT transmission and rear-wheel drive. During actual driving, the power response is swift at startup, where even a light press on the accelerator delivers a strong push-back effect. Mid-range acceleration reveals explosive power, making overtaking effortless without deeply pressing the throttle. The gearbox downshifts responsively, delivering power on demand. Its official 0-100km/h acceleration is just 3.3 seconds with a top speed of 345km/h, fully living up to its ultra-luxury GT designation. Driving modes include Comfort, Sport, and Track. Under different modes, engine sound and gearbox logic adjust accordingly—Sport mode amplifies exhaust notes and quickens gear changes, while Comfort mode leans towards smoothness, suitable for daily cruising.

In terms of handling, the combination of front double-wishbone independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension is tuned towards sportiness while retaining comfort. The steering is precise with minimal play, and the car's body remains stable during cornering with excellent roll control. When encountering bumpy roads, the suspension effectively filters out minor vibrations, keeping the cabin stable. The braking system uses ceramic ventilated discs, delivering strong braking performance with linear pedal feedback, providing sufficient confidence. In terms of fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is 13.7L/100km. Considering its large displacement engine and high-performance output, this figure is within an acceptable range. Noise control is excellent, with wind and tire noise well-suppressed during high-speed driving, and only the pleasant V12 engine note can be heard under heavy acceleration.

In terms of safety features, the 2024 Vanquish comes standard with ABS anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and active braking systems. The 360-degree panoramic imaging and front/rear parking sensors also make parking more convenient. However, the number of airbags is only 2, which is slightly fewer compared to some models in the same class, representing a minor drawback.

Overall, the 2024 Aston Martin Vanquish's core strengths lie in its powerful V12 engine, elegant GT design, luxurious interior, and a driving experience that balances performance and comfort. Compared to the Bentley Continental GT in the same class, the Vanquish has an advantage in power performance and is relatively more affordable (the Continental GT base model starts at around RM 6 million). Compared to the Ferrari Roma, the Vanquish offers better long-distance comfort, making it more suitable for daily use. This car is ideal for high-end consumers pursuing a combination of "speed and elegance" — perfect for enjoying track passion on weekends and tackling cross-city road trips during weekdays. If you are a buyer who values performance, quality, and brand appeal, the 2024 Vanquish is definitely worth considering.