Aston Martin and Bentley have taken the wraps off two new models in the same day; one an all-new flagship coupe that revives the vaunted Vanquish nameplate and another, hotted-up version of a recently updated best-seller. Pricing for both models hasn’t been disclosed, but each will carry a sticker deep into the six-figure range. Which begs the question: Given unlimited funds and the need for sexy speed, which one would you park in your hypothetical garage? We’ll run down the highlights of both models and let you decide.
First up is the Aston Martin Vanquish, the first substantial sheetmetal redesign we’ve seen from Aston in close to a decade. The Vanquish snags the flagship moniker from the DBS of James Bond fame, although 007’s ride soldiers on and will continue to be available in special edition form.
Despite the sleek new shape inspired by the One-77, the platform and powertrain are largely carried over, with the underpinnings still comprised of Aston’s VH architecture, although it’s been stiffened by some 25 percent in the Vanquish application. Same for the
6.0-liter V12 – a stalwart of the Aston line-up – although output is up some 55 horsepower over the DBS, with a total of 565 hp and 420 pound-feet of torque. According to Aston, that engine coupled with the Touchtronic 2 six-speed automatic gearbox, is good for a 0-60 run of a tick over 4 seconds and a top speed of 183 mph.
6.0-liter V12 – a stalwart of the Aston line-up – although output is up some 55 horsepower over the DBS, with a total of 565 hp and 420 pound-feet of torque. According to Aston, that engine coupled with the Touchtronic 2 six-speed automatic gearbox, is good for a 0-60 run of a tick over 4 seconds and a top speed of 183 mph.
But while the upgrades underneath are only marginally compelling, it’s the new carbon fiber body that tips the Aston in favor of the Bentley. The shape is more organic and less blocky than its predecessors, while still maintaining the signature Aston grille and the best hips ever designed by the hand of man. Bonus points for the massively improved interior – a serious issue with past models – and a new trunk that’s capable of consuming 368 liters of junk, more than a hatchback Volkswagen Golf.
So if you’re looking for speed, sex appeal and enough room for a couple bags of golf clubs, the Aston could be your next high-dollar ride. But what about that Bentley?
The 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed is the high-powered spawn of the updated GT range, complete with 616 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque provided by the upgraded 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged W12. That amounts to 49 hp and 74 lb-ft over the standard GT, and good for a similar four-second run to 60 mph when fitted with the all-new eight-speed automatic transmission.
Image: Bentley Motors
All that grunt powers all four wheels, and the 21-inch hoops shops in Pirelli PZero supercar tires are up to the task of putting the GT Speed up and over the 200 mph mark, with a terminal velocity of 205 mph, making it the fastest vehicle in the Bentley stable.
Where it may fall short is in the styling department, with a few tweaks to the interior and exterior that do little to differentiate it from its standard sibling. With Continental GTs clogging the roads from LA to Monaco and a price tag in the upper end of $300,000, the Vanquish stands out where the GT Speed may fade into the glitterarti background. But still, there are worse ways to roll up to the Casino Royale.
Images courtesy of Aston Martin and Bentley
Source: Wired
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