2014 Aston Martin Vanquish

Burying the late, great DBS and resuscitating the Vanquish name is no small task for Aston Martin. Armed with a nearly $300,000 asking price, the new 2014 Vanquish demands equal doses of sexy-yet-discreet styling and forward thinking hardware to uphold its desirability in the current exotic car landscape.

Introducing the 2014 Aston Martin Vanquish

Does the new flagship succeed in stoking the embers of desire? A recent drive on rambling English roads offered some insight into the Vanquish's ability to stoke our champagne-fueled dreams.

Inspired by Seventy-Seven Bespoke Hypercars, Inside and Out

Trickle down styling usually works in the realm of four-wheeled exotica, and Aston Martin's new Vanquish exhibits some of the tight radius curves and hunkered down poise inherited from its ultra-rare predecessor, the One-77. But the new $279,995 flagship also gains a thorough mechanical reworking that helps answer to detractors who claim the British brand is all show and no go: while an extruded aluminum tub remains at its core, the Vanquish adds carbon weave structures to the nose and tail for further weight savings and 25 percent more torsional rigidity, as well as carbon fiber skin all around. Official avoirdupois has yet to be announced, but the Vanquish's curb weight is estimated in the region of 3,750 lbs, nearly 100 lbs less than its DBS predecessor.

2014 aston martin vanquish Sx-Z

2014 Aston Martin Vanquish FD Opt

Introducing the 2014 Aston Martin Vanquish

2014 Aston Martin Vanquish

The new 5.9 liter V-12 sits lower and lighter, churning more power (565 hp, 457 lb-ft compared to the old mill's 510 hp) while claiming greater fuel efficiency, thanks in part to the incorporation of variable valve timing. Connecting the powerplant to the 6-speed automated manual rear transaxle is a carbon fiber prop shaft surrounded by an alloy torque tube. Aston claims that 60 mph arrives in 4.1 seconds, and that the Vanquish tops out at 183 mph.

Inside the cabin, a new interior treatment reveals One-77-inspired stitch patterns and details like a haptic touch surface on the center stack. The cockpit has been expanded for less of a cocooning effect, while the "boot" offers 60 percent more space.

Aston Martin Vanquish Centenary Edition Shines in Geneva

The 2013 Geneva International Motor Show was the venue chosen by Aston Martin to show off a limited edition model of their new Vanquish. Called the Centenary Edition, it has been made to celebrate the British sports car builder's 100th birthday. And just in case you were wondering, the number of examples to ever be built is limited to just 100 units.

So, what sets it apart from the regular Vanquish? Well, its main standout feature is the two-tone graduated paint scheme – the top part of the silver car's bonnet is black (or very dark grey) and it looks like a visual continuation of the black roof. However, the darker part does not simply stop somewhere, as it blends seamlessly with the car's base color the further down the bonnet you go.

The car's badging is also special, and each piece is made out of solid silver.

Step inside its plush interior features swathes of black leather stitched with contrasting silver thread – similar to what you'd find on the One-77 supercar. Finishing off unique interior features are the embroidered headrests and special metallic scuff plates not found on any other model.

The lucky hundred who will be able to afford this car will also be treated to a gift box which includes useful Aston Martin-branded accessories – we found the inclusion of a "silver polishing cloth" which will "help owners ensure the silver centenary wings badges and sill plaques on their car keep their lustre.”

Bertone Revisits Aston Martin Vanquish Jet 2 for the Geneva Moto Show

Next up on Bertone's Geneva Motor Show menu after the announcement on the one-off shooting brake-style Rapid Jet 2+2 is an updated version of the Italian design house's 2004 Vanquish Jet 2 concept car.

Bertone says it used the running gear and 210mm (8.2 inches) longer platform of the original 2004 study, dressing it up in a newer body with styling elements from the latest Vanquish coupe, while also adding a second pair of seats at the back.

In a press statement, the coachbuilder said the new Aston Martin Vanquish Jet 2 was created for the company's president, Lilli Bertone.

"The exposed model in Geneva was especially set up for the president of the Company, Mrs Lilli Bertone, with trimmings personalized by Foglizzo Leather (a prestigious Italian Brand founded in 1921) and special paint," said Bertone.

More details on both cars are to be released at the Swiss show next week.