Then in 2017, following the partnership with Red Bull, the 2017 Red Bull Formula 1 drivers, Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen were given a pair of prototype Vanquish Volantes to race around the A1 Ring towing caravans. The fourth photograph is a rare pre-production Vanquish Volante that was on display in the Aston Martin Museum during 2023.
Within Aston Martin, the car was fondly known as ‘Katie’, a reference to the registration number, KX09KTE
In 2013, the car was rebuilt as Aston Martin’s first Hydrogen powered car and again competed at the Nürburgring.
One of the most striking feature of the Centenary Edition Vanquish is the use of unique ‘graduated’ 2-tone paint scheme of Skyfall Silver with inner Meteorite Silver contrast from the front to the back of the car. The unique gradiated paint scheme is achieved by a meticulous process that adds an additional 18 man hours to the painting of the car. The darker inner colour is applied to the panels with a special “mini–jet” spray gun and once applied, the panel is then sanded using a very fine abrasive pad and a fresh coat of lacquer is applied. The panel is then finally sanded and polished to ensure that the line between the light and dark colours is totally smooth to even the lightest touch.
All the Centenary editions receive bespoke sterling silver AM wings badges to a new design featuring additional rays within the wings visible through the transparent enamel. Individually numbered sill plaques of sterling silver with an Aston Martin hallmark are also fitted.
The interior is finished in Deep-soft Obsidian Black Leather, previously only available of the One-77. It is similar to semi-aniline hide but goes through a more labour-intensive and exclusive process and dried naturally compared to normal semi-aniline that is forced dried. This makes the leather much softer and richer in its feel.
Detailed specification of the Centenary Vanquish is as follows:-
When announced, the edition was limited to a maximum of 100 cars; it is now believed that only 85 were eventually delivered to customers worldwide, mostly in the ‘Graduated’ 2-tone paint scheme.
The previous model V12 Vanquish was never offered in open form so the new Vanquish Volante will be a very welcome addition to the range.
A small number of pre-production cars have been shown at events during the Summer of 2013, press cars were seen on the main production line during Centenary week during July 2013. Production of customer cars began in the Autumn of 2013 and ended early in 2017 when the standard car was replaced by the Vanquish S Volante. It is believed that only 1001 of this model were actually built.
The car has retained the clear rear light lenses and has gained a silver finish grille not seen on the regular production cars.
The first public display of the Rapide S was at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show where AML displayed two cars, on in Volcano Red, the other in Selene Bronze.
The most noticeable update on the ‘S’ is the adoption of a new full height metal grille which is the largest fitted to a car that meets current pedestrian protection requirements. Underneath the new front grille is the front splitter, very important in getting air drawn in to cool the brakes and the lower end of the car. As standard, the front splitter is body coloured but if the car is specified with the optional Carbon Exterior Pack, the centre section will be Carbon Fibre. Also the boot lid has been given a pronounced additional lip so the ‘S’ can be recognised from the previous regular car from both the front and back.
Rapide S is the first Rapide to include the hi-tech Gen4 Adaptive Damping, allowing the driver to choose between three modes; ‘Normal’ ‘Sport’ and ‘Track’. New optional 20 inch diameter 10 spoke forged alloy wheels, 11% lighter than the standard wheel, are unique to the Rapide S. These are available in either silver or black diamond turned finish. Another option are the 20 spoke wheels from the DBS and the original 24 spoke or ‘multispoke’ wheels remain the standard fitting.
At the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, the Rapide S was finished in Teal Blue.
Whereas a vast majority of the regular Rapide were built by Magna Steyr in Austria, the Rapide S is built exclusively on the DB9/Vanquish/Rapide line at the company HQ at Gaydon.
Announced in August 2014, the 2015MY Rapide S may look virtually the same as the previous model year but under the coachwork the changes are most significant. The most significant update has been the adoption of a new 8 speed gearbox by ZF, the Touchtronic III which allows for gearchanges in as little as 130 m/s. Also the engine, now to AM29 spec has been revised with a little more power and torque but incredibly less emissions and better fuel economy due to the new Bosch engine management system. Quoted top speed has now risen to 203 mph and the 0 to 60 acceleration times dropped to just 4.2 seconds.
Below is what is believed to be the very first production Rapide S, retained by the factory. It was photographed in 2017 at Gaydon during the AML Employee Weekend; visitors were encouraged to use the Sharpies to write messages on the Stratus White coachwork. This is not the first time visitors to AML have had this opportunity. Back in 2013, during Centenary week, a prototype DBS Coupe was also covered in graffiti by visitors to Gaydon.
Photographs courtesy of Aston Martin of Chicago where this particular car was on sale in 2014.
At the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, a ‘Q by Aston Martin’ Vanquish Volante again took centre stage. With coachwork finished in Cerulean Blue and interior in White Essence semi-aniline leather and rich Aurora Blue detailing, the centre console is finished in satin finish walnut veneer. The car was also given a unique exposed carbon fibre tonneau cover – finished in a deep gloss.
