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Remaster, remix, re-imagine: call it what you want, but revisit the past and give it the advantage of "now" is a big deal. In the wake of the announcement of his third post-Jaguar act, Ian Callum's new unit unveiled his first project: the Aston Martin Vanquish 25.
"It's rare for a designer to have the chance to tell the story of one of his own cars," notes Callum. "I wanted to do this for some time. Materials and technologies have evolved, allowing us to present them as well as new ideas impossible to achieve when launching the car. "
Callum's Warwickshire-based team is expanding, but in addition to its main crew, the Vanquish 25 is a collaboration with Swiss specialist R-Reforged (affiliated with Aston's largest distributor and GT3 race, his brother), as well as watch brand Bremont, Bridge of Weir Leather, Michelin and Mulberry.
It is also officially approved by Aston Martin. "I like the fact that the Callum team's first project is based on the original Vanquish V12 designed by Ian," says Aston Creative Director Marek Reichman. "Aston Martin Lagonda is very proud of cars created in Ian's day and they play an important role in our heritage and in our evolution."
Although many consider the Vanquish as one of Callum's greatest hits, the man considers himself as an unfinished business. With only 2,589 manufactured, its development was prior to the arrival in July 2000 of CEO Ulrich Bez, who was at best ambivalent about a project he had inherited. Now, Callum is about to rework the visuals, interior and dynamics of the car. Although the fundamental, brutal and fundamentally British basic language of the Vanquish remains, the iteration introduces more than 100 design changes. Most notable is the redesigned front with a new carbon fiber bumper and high intensity LED headlamps. The rear also receives a new bumper and taillight treatment, with a rear diffuser and a tailor-made exhaust box. There are also new carbon fiber side bends, bespoke mirrors replace the original items, one-piece carbon fiber window frames, new rocker panels and an aluminum / carbon fuel filler (carrying the rear-end mirrors). Rebel Rebel registration on the car we saw, a nod to the love of David Bowie by Callum).
The interior is probably what most of the original Vanquish dates, hampered by an oversized donor HVAC system, a cliff-shaped center console, a coin-operated switchgear and a stance position. uncomfortable driving. These problems have all been addressed. The dashboard is made of carbon fiber, the console incorporates an eight-inch screen running Apple Car Play and Android Auto. New seats and redesigned shift paddles allow you to sit in the Vanquish instead of perching. The steering wheel is also thinner.
Callum also worked with leather specialist Bridge of Weir to develop a new tartan, and the emptying of the original +2 seats underscores the Vanquish's GT's mission. To this end, Mulberry has created tailor-made luggage for the 25. The rising stars of British Bremont watches have designed the dashboard and a detachable mechanical pocket watch that rests on the center console.
Former Aston Martin and Noble chassis expert, Adam Donfrancesco, is leading the chassis overhaul to further adapt to current expectations. "Today's GT should combine the performance of sports cars with user-friendliness while being comfortable enough to ruin a thousand-mile mission without thinking," he says. "Our goal was to create a responsive and responsive ride that is responsive and supportive without being hard. With stiffer anti-roll bars, tuned dampers, custom springs and reduced ride height, we've increased steering response and reduced roll, but we've mostly allowed damping to "breathe" a little more. The car is now lighter and more alive. "
His team works closely with Michelin to optimize the configuration. "Michelin's advanced tire technology allows us to dramatically change overall performance," says Donfrancesco. "The overall grip, steering precision and noise have improved."
The Vanquish's brakes have also been reinforced, with front and rear discs and 398mm and 360mm ceramic discs, while the new carbon fiber induction and exhaust system helps boost the power of the Vanquish. V12 of 5.9 liters, from 520 to 580 hp. But do not expect the original automated manual to have miraculously developed ways of double clutching; Plus, drive it as a normal manual and it's not nearly as late as it had been wisdom. If you insist, you can install a regular torque converter.
This is not quite a Singer reboot, but we can not remember a situation in which the architect of a classic classic of good faith could revisit his original with as much attention. If anyone can do it, it's Ian Callum. There is no doubt that the asking price of £ 550,000 is a little steep, but at what price does the ultimate Vanquish go?
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