Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
2001-2007 · Aston Martin V12 Vanquish — Grand Tourer, V12, designed by Ian Callum.
The Story
The V12 Vanquish was Aston’s millennial flagship – Ian Callum’s ‘Project Vantage’ concept made real, and the last truly hand-built Aston from Newport Pagnell. Its 6.0 V12 (460 bhp, later 520 in the 2004 Vanquish S) sat in a bonded-aluminium-and-carbon chassis developed with Lotus.
It became a global icon as James Bond’s car in Die Another Day (2002) – complete with ‘adaptive camouflage’ invisibility. The paddle-shift was famously clunky, but the Vanquish remains a landmark; the 200 mph Vanquish S is the one to have.
The Numbers
Benchmarked against its class
Each dial ranks this car within its Grand Tourer class — fuller means higher, and the tick marks the class midpoint.
Signature Colors
The Designer
Ian Callum
Scottish designer who penned the DB7 (1994) and V12 Vanquish (2001) before a celebrated 20-year tenure as Jaguar’s design director (F-Type, XK, XF). Now runs his own studio, Callum. Source: Wikipedia.
Studio Motors POV
A Bond-blessed millennial icon and the last hand-built Newport Pagnell Aston – flawed gearbox and all, a future blue-chip. The manual-converted Vanquish S is the grail.
The Engine
Aston Martin V12 (NA)
Lineage
Where it sits in the bloodline
Market & Value
Values on cars like this move monthly. Our brokers price from real transactions.
What Reviewers Said About V12 Vanquish
Worth Knowing About the V12 Vanquish
3 Things You Didn’t Know
- 1. It's the James Bond car from Die Another Day (2002) – the 'invisible' Vanquish – and ranks among the best film cars ever.
- 2. Its bonded-aluminium/carbon chassis was co-developed with Lotus – a structural pioneer.
- 3. It began as Ian Callum's 'Project Vantage' concept and was the last Aston hand-built at Newport Pagnell.
5 Fast Facts
- 1. 2001-2007; 2,578 built (incl. Vanquish S).
- 2. 6.0 V12: 460 bhp; Vanquish S (2004) 520 bhp, 200 mph.
- 3. Paddle-shift automated manual (later true-manual conversion by Aston Works).
- 4. Die Another Day (2002) Bond car.
- 5. Designed by Ian Callum; Lotus-developed chassis.
Provenance
Owners & what to look for
Famous Owners
The official Die Another Day (2002) James Bond car (the ‘Vanish’); press/film cars are documented and have been auctioned. No individual private celebrity owner verified.
Studio Buyer’s Brief
The Vanquish S (520 bhp, 200 mph) is the one to buy; later cars got a proper manual conversion that collectors prize. The paddle-shift is an acquired taste – budget for clutch service. Check the bonded chassis, sticky trim and history. Appreciating as the last Newport Pagnell Aston.
Full Specifications
- Make / Model
- Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
- Class
- Grand Tourer
- Production years
- 2001-2007
- Units built
- 2,578 total (1,492 Vanquish + 1,086 Vanquish S)
- Variants
- Vanquish S (2004, 520 hp)
- Engine layout
- Front
- Engine
- V12
- Engine family
- Aston Martin V12 (NA)
- Displacement
- 5,935 cc (5.9L)
- Power
- 520 hp
- Torque
- 426 lb-ft
- 0–60 mph
- 4.2 s
- Top speed
- 200 mph
- Power-to-weight
- 277 hp/tonne · 8 lb/hp
- Transmission
- 6-speed automated manual (paddle); 6-speed manual available
- Drivetrain
- RWD (front-mid engine) · Petrol
- Curb weight
- 4134 lb
Questions
V12 Vanquish FAQ
Is the V12 Vanquish the James Bond car from Die Another Day?
Yes. The Aston Martin V12 Vanquish, nicknamed ‘The Vanish’ due to its fictional adaptive camouflage, is James Bond’s car in Die Another Day (2002), driven by Pierce Brosnan. The film significantly raised the model’s profile and the original film cars have subsequently been auctioned.
How many Aston Martin V12 Vanquishes were built?
Aston Martin produced 2,578 first-generation Vanquishes in total: 1,492 Vanquish coupes (2001-2004) and 1,086 Vanquish S coupes (2004-2007). No convertible was offered. All were hand-built at the Newport Pagnell factory.
What is the difference between the V12 Vanquish and Vanquish S?
The Vanquish S, introduced in 2004, raised power from 460 bhp to 520 bhp, increased top speed from 190 mph to 200 mph, and sharpened the chassis settings. The Vanquish S is the definitive specification and the most desirable to collectors; a subsequent Aston Martin Works manual conversion is also highly prized.
What is the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish worth today?
V12 Vanquish examples trade for approximately $60,000-$130,000 in 2025. Vanquish S models command a premium; early 460 bhp cars are at the lower end. Manual-converted cars, the rarest specification, reach the top of the range.
Can you buy or finance a V12 Vanquish?
Yes. V12 Vanquish examples trade regularly on the secondary market.
The Aston Martin Lineup
Explore every Aston Martin
DB4 GT Zagato ’60DB5 ’63DB6 ’65DBS (1967) ’67V8 ’69
Lagonda ’76V8 Vantage (1977) ’77
V8 Vantage (Supercharged) ’93DB7 ’94DB7 Vantage ’99
V12 Vanquish ’01DB9 ’04V8 Vantage (2005) ’05DBS (2007) ’07V12 Vantage (2009) ’09One-77 ’09
Rapide ’10Vanquish (2012) ’12V12 Zagato ’12V12 Vantage GT12 ’15DB11 ’16Vanquish Zagato ’16Vantage ’18DBS Superleggera ’18
DBX ’20Valkyrie ’21V12 Speedster ’21V12 Vantage (2022) ’22Valour ’23Vanquish (2024) ’24Valiant ’24Valhalla ’25
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