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| Michael Giltrap, Managing Director Giltrap Group, addresses guests |
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| Greg Brinck, General Manager, Independent Prestige, talks about the car |
New Zealand got its first glimpse of the new Aston Martin Vanquish last week. The car made an eagerly-awaited New Zealand debut in the suitable surroundings of the basement at Giltrap Prestige. An exclusively invited audience of around 150 Aston Martin owners and enthusiasts attended an evening full of glitz, glamour and the appropriate ‘Aston’ refreshments – Bollinger on demand.
I honoured the current models that also made an appearance around the venue - I couldn’t help but be drawn to the fully-clothed Vanquish on centre stage. It was under covers, and I took a moment to imagine what one would be like in the flesh before the unveiling. Of course I’d seen many photos in the weeks leading up to this launch, but I tried to read as little as possible about the car so that no one else’s opinion would get in the way before I saw the car. The Bollinger continued to flow. A host of influential visitors such as Director and shareholder of Giltrap Group Michael Giltrap formally unveiled the new super grand tourer. I took the time to consider the predecessor Vanquish – one of the last Aston’s to be constructed under the Ford ownership model. I loved it and it continues to be up there with the most beautiful Aston Martin’s ever built. After the promotional video, which was accompanied by a V12 overture, the covers were drawn to reveal a masterpiece. Right before our eyes was a stunning design that represents the latest take on Aston Martin’s iconic visual language. The modern Styling cues were quick to stand out such as the new elegant waist, elongated side strakes and LED rear light blades derived from the One-77 supercar. Essentially, this car is a One-77 that everyone can own.
It was a welcoming sight to see the bonnet lifted to reveal the next generation of the renowned Aston architecture in the form of a new AM11 6.0-litre V12 engine that is considerably more potent than before. Yes, the body is made of 100% carbon fibre, capable of achieving 183mph and will take you to 0- 100 in under 5 seconds. However, the fact that there was even a V12 married to this car issued a sigh of relief. We are seeing so many car manufacturers fold under the pressure of environmentalists and left-wing politicians to make smaller, more efficient engines. For example, BMW’s fantastic V10 has been replaced by a more reserved twin-turbo V8 and if you think we will ever see another Lamborghini V12 - think again. Journalists from around the world were adamant the V12 Vantage was the last V12 powered Aston we’d see - Aston Martin has stood for none of that and has claimed victory once more with their fiery C02-producing nuclear power plant. This particular engine is developed by Cosworth and assembled in house at Aston Martin.
Greg Brinck is Independent Prestige’s General Manager of Aston Martin in New Zealand. He said: “I’m sure those lucky enough to see the new car close-up over the coming days will be thrilled by it, and I’m very happy that we’ve been able to give our New Zealand customers this opportunity.” There is no doubting that the brand has flourished under the Giltrap brand over the last years. I was quick to note down the fact that they sold 42 Aston’s in the month of November before the Global Financial Crisis. As with all modern Aston Martin sports cars, the Vanquish has been designed and will be hand-built at the company’s global headquarters at Gaydon in Warwickshire, United Kingdom. New Zealand will expect to see its first vehicle available to the press at the beginning of November – one that I will be queuing up for. It will be available as a 2+2 or 2+0 with the first privileged owners taking delivery of their cars before the end of the year.
“As Aston Martin is in its 100th year and prepares for the 100th birthday of the brand in January next year, the debut of this new super grand tourer means we can look forward to the next century with confidence and real excitement,” acknowledges Greg. The Vanquish claims its place firmly in supercar territory. Vanquish unquestionably sees the brand continue its enviable tradition of producing some of the most beautiful sports cars in the world. I can’t wait to put it to the test.
Words by Andrew Beacham
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