Aston just whipped the tarps of its fourth mid-engined car in as many years. The Vanquish Vision concept is a fascinating move away from front-engine, rear-drive layouts for the most special of Aston road cars. Another shift is a new V6 that is set to power this vehicle upon arrival in 2022. Aston famously ran straight-six motors for most of its glory days in the 1950s and 1960s so there is definitely precedent for a non-V8 or V12.
Lightness is the name of the game for next Vanquish — and this Valkyrie junior has bonded aluminum structure and bodywork that is said to be next-level in its strength to weight ratios.
The design is unusual. It is not immediately sexy in its functionality for hyper-streamlined shapes. From the nose the RB 003 and this Vanquish Vision are dead ringers but they are wildly different from the back. A flat tail in the 003 is almost comically distinctive, while VV has curved forms, swept hips and a more bulbous shape.
Details and photos from Geneva here below!
Aston Martin Valkyrie
Aston Martin AM-RB 003
2019 Aston Martin Vanquish Vision Concept
- Vanquish Vision Concept previews design language of Aston Martin’s first series production mid-engined supercar
- Fourth model in Aston Martin’s mid-engined series following Aston Martin Valkyrie, Valkyrie AMR Pro and AM-RB 003
- Propels Aston Martin into mid-engined sector, previously defined by key competitors
- Tech highlights include bespoke bonded aluminium structure and new V6 Engine
- Scheduled to enter production in 2022
- Visit Aston Martin’s stand – Hall 2, stand #2229
5 March 2019, Geneva, Switzerland: In an unprecedented show of force, Aston Martin has chosen the 89th Geneva Motor Show to complete a trio of world debuts with the first glimpse of the breathtaking Vanquish Vision Concept.
A tantalising preview of Aston Martin’s first series production mid-engined supercar, the Vanquish Vision Concept showcases the design language of the marque’s most ambitious model, taking centre stage today alongside AM-RB 003 – the marque’s third mid-engined hypercar – and the Lagonda All-Terrain Concept.
Reviving an iconic nameplate traditionally reserved for Aston Martin’s flagship production model, the advanced design study provides further evidence of the proudly British brand’s intent to compete in one of the most hotly contested market sectors in the automotive world – one traditionally defined by Italian supercar makers – with this Gaydon built offering.
Andy Palmer, Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group CEO, said: “Firstly, what a pleasure to revive the Vanquish name. Synonymous with our series production flagships, it felt entirely appropriate to attach it to such a significant car. The Vanquish Vision Concept marks another pivotal moment in Aston Martin’s history, and another critical step in delivering the Second Century Plan. Our first series production rear mid-engined supercar will be a transformational moment for the brand, for it is the car that will propel Aston Martin into a sector of the market traditionally seen as the heartland of luxury sports cars.”
Like AM-RB 003, the Vanquish Vision Concept benefits from further crystallisation of the philosophy pioneered in the Aston Martin Valkyrie and distilled into AM-RB 003, with the pursuit of weight, packaging and aerodynamic efficiency informing every aspect of the design and engineering.
Miles Nurnberger, Aston Martin Director of Design said: “The Vanquish Vision Concept has a more seductive and less technical appearance than Aston Martin Valkyrie and AM-RB 003, but it’s still extreme in terms of visual gestures. For example, it has a very distinctive clamshell front fender, with openings so you can see through onto the tyre. There’s less of the negative space that defines the look of the Aston Martin Valkyrie and AM-RB 003. It’s a prettier car, and purposely so, as it’s been designed to thrive in a less extreme performance envelope. But, while being very much at home on the road, it will still be equally capable when chasing lap times on a race track. As a result, it’s less provocative and more classical in its look. Its beauty comes from a shift in emphasis from the aggressive, function driven surfaces of Aston Martin Valkyrie and AM-RB 003 to more flowing and sensuous forms, while retaining a resolute athleticism and modernity: critical qualities in expressing the distinct character and capabilities of what will be Aston Martin’s first mid-engined series production supercar.”
Detailed technical information will be revealed as the development programme advances, but two items of high level information can be disclosed; the first being confirmation the production version of Vanquish Vision Concept will feature a version of Aston Martin’s new V6: the engine that will make its debut in AM-RB 003 in hybrid turbo form.
Secondly, in a departure from the Aston Martin Valkyrie and AM-RB 003’s all-carbon fibre construction, the Vanquish Vision Concept features a bespoke bonded aluminium chassis, developed under the guidance of mid-engined specialist and Aston Martin Chief Technical Officer, Max Szwaj. As established automotive world leaders in bonded aluminium structures, Aston Martin is perfectly placed to demonstrate the cost, speed of production and weight vs strength advantages of this technology.
As with all Aston Martin products, the Vanquish Vision Concept will undergo a rigorous development process as it nears its final production specification, utilising the experience of handling gurus Matt Becker and Chris Goodwin.
Max Szwaj, Chief Technical Officer, said: “The Vanquish Vision Concept is the point when the things we have learned during the Aston Martin Valkyrie and AM-RB 003 programmes reach the series production models. Creating a car like this for Aston Martin is a challenge I have relished since joining back in 2017. Although it takes Aston Martin into new territory, it does so with the benefit of hard-won knowledge, ground-breaking ideas and an uncompromising mindset. The full engineering story of this car is yet to be told, but what you see here should tell you this car will not only compete at the highest level, but it will do so in a manner and style unique to Aston Martin.”
The 89th Geneva Motor Show opens to media and VIPs on March 5th. Public days are March 7th to 17th. Join us in Hall 2, Stand #2229, or experience the show via Aston Martin’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
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