Story & photos by Patrick P. Tulfo
THE looming excise tax that is poised to raise the prices of vehicles through the roof, especially in the luxury segment, didn’t deter Aston Martin Manila from unveiling the latest Vanquish S Super GT in the country.
The very first Vanquish model rose to fame after being used by James Bond in the movie Die Another Day that starred Pierce Brosnan and a popular 2002 video game “Night Fire” and “Everything or Nothing” in 2004.
The first-generation Vanquish model was introduced at the 2001 Geneva Auto Show. It was the replacement for the aging Virage range and was in production from 2001 to 2005.
Interestingly, though, it was replaced by another model called the DBS in 2007 but was revived again in 2012 as a successor to the DBS. The latest Vanquish S model unveiled on May 5 at the posh Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, Makati, looks ravishing. It has all the hoots and whistles that one expects in car that 007 may eventually use in the upcoming James Bond movies.
The classy aerodynamic exterior that sets it apart from the competitors now features a 2×2 carbon-fiber front twill front splitter and rear diffuser that doesn’t only improve the styling but, more important, improves high-speed stability, as it is equipped with quad exhaust pipes at the rear.
The luxurious interior, meanwhile, features acres of soft leather with Filograph quilt-design option. The AMiIII entertainment system was designed by Bang and Olufsen. It incorporates a satellite-navigation system to make sure that James Bond will not get lost.
The powerful 6.0-liter V12 engine that seats under the hood is rated to produce 588 horsepower. This translates to a mind-boggling 0-100 kph in just 3.5 seconds all the way to a top speed of 323 km/h. This kind of performance is no doubt achieved with the help of the eight-speed Touchtronic III transmission and when combine with the deft handling that Aston Martin is known for James Bond wannabe are in for an unforgettable driving experience.
Mark Tagle, president and chairman of Aston Martin Manila, in a speech said, “I am pleased to officially introduce the new Vanquish S, and we very much look forward to see the new flagship Aston Martin being driven on the streets of Manila”.
For those who want to have a taste of how it’s like to be a James Bond in real life, the new Vanquish S is now available for order, with deliveries starting this month. For more information, check out Aston Martin Manila’s official web site,www.manila.astonmartindealers.com.
Image credits: Patrick P. Tulfo