A New Level of Power: Aston Martin Prepares a “Hot” Version of the Vanquish
The Aston Martin Vanquish is already the flagship GT in the Gaydon lineup, but fresh spy shots from the Nürburgring suggest an even hotter version is on the way. A lightly camouflaged prototype was spotted on the “Green Hell” track with sharper aerodynamic elements and an unusual exhaust system. All this points to the Vanquish S model following in the footsteps of the recently unveiled DB12 S.
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The prototype, finished in matte black with green camouflage concealing a more aggressive front splitter, mostly retains the standard Vanquish body. The 21-inch Y-spoke forged wheels are borrowed from the smaller Vantage S — this is a typical Aston Martin approach, using parts from other models to tune hot versions without a complete redesign of the wheel program.
Eight-Pipe Exhaust: Experiment or the Future?
The rear raises even more questions. A large section of the tailgate is replaced by a mesh, through which two huge exhaust openings are visible, located behind the standard four tailpipes of the Vanquish. Two more pipes are mounted in the diffuser area, bringing the total to eight exhaust outlets.
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The most likely explanation is that the original four tips on this mule are non-functional, while the four additional ones are temporary development equipment, similar to a recent Vantage-based prototype. The production version will almost certainly get a cleaner layout, likely combined with a redesigned rear bumper.
Official Markings and Expected Specifications
The car also features an “Emissions Test Vehicle” sticker under the ducktail spoiler and a “Prototype Vehicle” marking along the sills. Aston Martin is not trying very hard to hide what this car is.
Aston hasn’t officially confirmed the Vanquish S, but judging by the DB12 S, the template is obvious. Expect more power, a sharper chassis, and a more aggressive body kit. The standard Vanquish already produces 824 hp (614 kW / 835 PS) and 738 lb-ft (1000 Nm) of torque from its twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12, which sends power to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic. Therefore, the S version could well exceed the 850 hp mark.
Given that the current generation Vanquish debuted in September 2024, the S variant will likely appear no earlier than late 2026 or early 2027. When it does, it will compete with the front-engined Ferrari 12Cilindri and the mid-engined Lamborghini Revuelto.
This prototype demonstrates that Aston Martin is not resting on its laurels, even with an already very powerful GT. The appearance of eight exhaust pipes, although likely temporary, points to serious experimentation with the exhaust system, which could mean a significant increase in power. Amid fierce competition from Ferrari and Lamborghini, as well as the company’s internal financial difficulties, releasing an even more extreme version of the Vanquish could be a key step in strengthening the brand’s position in the ultra-premium sports car segment. The new model is expected to receive not only more “horses” but also revised suspension and aerodynamics to use that power more effectively on the track.