Hang on? Isn't the Vanquish about to
end production?
Yep, but it's going out fighting. Aston Martin have
announced details of a 'Works Service' manual gearbox
conversion. This reminds us that the Vanquish is, after all,
the last of an era, last of the hand made cars from
Newport Pagnell and that the forthcoming DBS is going to
have to be very special indeed to best the “big daddy of
them all, The Vanquish, Aston Martin’s best supercar to
date.
 A
little late to start offering a manual gearbox conversion
then?
Yes and no. Being a Works Service development
(with a little help from Special Vehicle Operations at
Gaydon), the manual conversion is available on any Vanquish
old or new. So even if you're driving around in a
six-year-old Vanquish, you can roll up to Works Service or a
factory selected agent for this modification and upgrade
your Vanquish to what some believe it should have been from
inception. The cost for this conversion is $40,000, but one
drive and you will agree that it was well worthwhile!
Is it a factory conversion? It most
certainly is! The original craftsmen who originally built
your car in Newport Pagnell will be part of a select team
that will be sent to these shores to carry out the
conversion.
So is this the gearbox the
Vanquish should've had since it was launched?
Well, you'll never hear Aston Martin say it - but yes. The
standard Auto Shift Manual (ASM) system fitted to the
Vanquish was never the finest example of a paddle-shift
clutchless manual. You always had the impression that the
electronics controlling the clutch and throttle were locked
in some kind of unhappy marriage - together, but reluctantly
so - leaving the driver strangely detached from the chassis.
The manual conversion plugs the driver
back in and liberates the fantastic drivers' car that was
always hidden within the Vanquish.
 It's
good then?
Oh yes. Yes, yes, yes. We tried a two-year old Vanquish
ramped up to 'S' spec and fitted with the manual 'box. That
means the full-monty 520bhp version of the 6-litre V12
engine, a Sport diff, Sports suspension and a fantastic
switchable exhaust valve device that, at the touch of a
button, transforms the exhaust note from quiet-and-subtle to
Iron Maiden-at-Monsters-of-Rock.
Initially, it's the classy installation of
the gearshift mechanism and clutch pedal that grabs you.
There's no evidence to suggest that this is a retro-fit and
both the gearshift and clutch action are slick and meaty -
perfectly reflecting the essential character of the
Vanquish.
Works Service and SVO worked hard on the
gearshift operation in particular, with successful results.
You can't get close to matching the lightening (250
millisecond) gear change speed of the ASM 'box, but you are
compensated with the means to properly control the clutch
and gearshifting.
 How
does this affect the overall driving experience?
You feel greater interaction with the chassis. The manual
conversion has somehow released an overall feeling of being
at one with the car; the throttle response is stunning,
heel-and-toeing is simple and addictive, and the Vanquish's
mighty performance feels more accessible and friendly.
And let's not forget that the Aston's big
6.0-litre V12 is enough to push the Vanquish beyond 200mph.
It's a fast, fast car, but it's a peerless GT too. The ride
is composed, the steering tighter and with more feel than
the newer DB9's, and the interior modification is still in
keeping with its original quality and style, typically plush
and modern.
So, would you buy one?
Well, this is where it gets interesting. The last of the
Vanquish line has ended production. On the used market, a
few low-mileage '03 model year Vanquish can be purchased for
approximately ($145-$165,000) dependent upon mileage and
condition. Add the Works Service manual conversion and a few
of the tweaks and for around ($185-$205,000) you will have
what is still the ultimate Aston Martin.
And that, ladies and gentleman, is a
bargain.
Rating:
203 WEST
HILLS ROAD
HUNTINGTON STATION, N.Y. 11746
Tel:
(631) 425-1555
Fax: (631) 425-6185
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