Vanquish Coupe

Segment
Coupe

Aston Martin is set to enter new territory with not one, but three new mid-engined supercars. The first will be a range-topping hypercar called the Valkyrie, which is being co-developed with Red Bull. Below that will sit a lightly less aggressive supercar previously referred to as the AM-RB 003 and now named the Valhalla. And below both of those cars, the Vanquish name is set to return as a rival for the Ferrari F8 Tributo and McLaren 720S.

Like the Valkyrie and Valhalla, the Vanquish will be mid-engined powered by a newly-developed twin-turbo V6 paired with electrification. There will also be a hardcore AMR version and a convertible but in an interview with Car Sales, Aston Martin chief executive Andy Palmer confirmed how the Vanquish will be more unique than any Ferrari, Lamborghini, or McLaren - it's going to have a manual transmission.

After recently revealing the new Vantage AMR with a manual transmission, this is huge news for Aston Martin. Ferrari and Lamborghini haven't offered a manual transmission since the California and Gallardo each went out of production after 2014 and McLaren hasn't offered once since it sold the F1 in the 1990s. Having a manual transmission will make the new Vanquish a one-of-a-kind supercar when it arrives in 2023.

"I've already made a commitment that I want to be the last manufacturer in the world to offer manual sports cars and I want to honor that commitment," Palmer said. When asked if the Valhalla would also get a manual, Palmer said, "no, now that car will only come with a paddle-shift transmission."

It has yet to be confirmed but it seems likely the Vanquish will use the same seven-speed manual found in the new Vantage AMG, which features a dog-leg first gear. Unlike a McLaren 720S, the Vanquish will use an aluminum monocoque chassis instead of carbon fiber. Palmer said, "Our mainstream cars have been created to be useable daily - that's why they employ an aluminum tub for a lower and narrower sill - it makes them easier to get in and out of."

The company's more extreme cars will use carbon fiber but "Unlike McLaren, we're not trying to stretch the same assets over and over again. Our approach is a more expensive philosophy but hopefully it's a more compelling way of addressing a customer's needs," Palmer explained. Expect the Vanquish to start around $450,000 with AMR and convertible versions to follow.