The greatest noise from Aston Martin this year has, understandably, been all about the new DB11. Does it mean time is up for the naturally aspirated V12 creations" Ned Jasper takes a look at the latest Vanquish S.

Now, I don’t usually tend to comment on a car manufacturers yearly model alterations. The changes from the previous year are minor and, for the most part, insignificant. For me to write about a new brake light cluster or centre console alterations is, to say the least, boring. You’d probably enjoy reading about them as much as a vegetarian enjoys a bacon sandwich. But, when Aston Martin announced they were adding the Vanquish S to their range next year, I just had to do something.

This is it. At a glance it looks much the same as a ‘normal’ Vanquish. That is, effortlessly pretty. Somehow, Aston manages to do something to its cars – something indescribably special. (The fact that you’re reading this means we probably share the same passion, and that you completely understand what I mean. It’s like Aston sprinkles a little bit of magic in with every car that leaves the production line. The bodywork manages to catch the light in ways that you never thought were possible. The paint’s so deep, and so rich, you could almost waste an afternoon getting lost in the colour. Then there’s the noise, a deep, baritone, soulful howl that couldn’t be more Aston if it tried. All of this is true for a normal Va...