Used 2006 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish
Pros & Cons
- Performance and exclusivity of V12 power, high-performance threshold without a stiff ride, finely detailed interior.
- Transmission shifts sometimes lack smoothness, stability control not available.
Other years
Edmunds' Expert Review
On par with Italy's best exotic sports cars, the 2006 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S offers an upscale English feel in addition to its blistering performance.
Vehicle overview
Built at Aston Martin's Newport Pagnell factory, the 2006 V12 Vanquish S is the small British company's flagship. The main body structure of the Vanquish S, including the floor and the front and rear bulkheads, is formed from extruded aluminum sections bonded and riveted around a central carbon-fiber transmission tunnel. Single-piece composite inner-body side sections with carbon-fiber A-pillars are also bonded to the central structure. The result is a coupe with a lightweight, extremely stiff body and chassis.
All of the exterior panels are produced from superformed aluminum, individually tailored and bonded to the body structure by hand. The traditional Aston Martin styling cues are there, such as the trademark grille and side vents. With bulging fenders filled with meaty tires, the V12 Vanquish S looks like it means business. The general effect is much like a bulldog, broad and squat, fitting for a car that hails from jolly old England.
Slipping into this supercar requires no more work than your typical exotic, and once inside, you are treated to a lush combination of leather and aluminum. Alcantara suede lines the roof, while brushed metal surrounds a center stack. In years past, much of the switchgear was chock-full of Jaguar (and even Ford, Aston's corporate parent) switchgear, but Aston Martin has upgraded the instrument panel for 2006 to have more bespoke components.
Priced at about $260,000, the Vanquish S represents a distinct choice for an exotic coupe. Less gregarious than a Lamborghini Murcielago and more sport-oriented than a Bentley Continental GT, it's the quintessential sporting Gran Turismo. Even its normal competition from Ferrari is missing, as the Italian brand is in the midst of changing its flagship sports car from the 575M Maranello to next year's 599 GTB. Yes, one could make the argument to go for Aston's less expensive DB9, as it comes close to matching the Vanquish in performance and style. But we're sure that potential buyers in this segment will find the Vanquish S's status as the ultimate Aston Martin too appealing to pass up. At the top of its game thanks to recent improvements (and likely representing the model's final year of production), the 2006 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S is sure to be a future classic.
Aston Martin V12 Vanquish models
The 2006 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S is an exotic sports car. This coupe is available in just one style, although the interior can be configured as a two-seater or with 2+2 seating. Standard equipment includes 19-inch wheels, 255/40ZR tires in front and 285/40ZRs in the rear, automatic xenon HID headlights, a full leather interior, power and heated seats, a surround-sound audio system and a navigation system. Aston Martin also offers optional interior and exterior customizing options at additional cost.
2006 Highlights
In what is likely the Vanquish's final year, Aston Martin has updated the interior with new switchgear and more standard equipment.
Performance & mpg
Under the hood is a 6.0-liter V12 rated at 520 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 425 pound-feet of torque at 5,800 rpm. The clutchless six-speed manual gearbox is controlled through twin paddles mounted on the steering column. Aston Martin says the Vanquish S can accelerate to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds. Top speed is more than 200 mph.
Safety
Standard safety equipment includes traction control and antilock disc brakes. Stability control and side or side-curtain airbags aren't available.
Driving
While the ride quality could be described as firm, it never feels abusive. The V12 Vanquish S is fully capable of serving daily-driver duty. The traction control system can be switched off, for those who define sliding the rear end of a quarter-million-dollar car as a good time. It's easy to do because of the engine's seemingly infinite midrange power. Roll into the throttle while exiting a corner and it's easy to reorient the car's nose. One minor flaw concerns the sequential shifting manual transmission -- in some instances, shifts can be hesitant or balky.
Interior
Buyers have a choice of either a strictly two or 2+2 seating configuration. A deep center console unit separates the driver and front passenger seats and incorporates a red engine starter button, the sound system and the climate control system. The overall interior design is a subtle blend of traditional and modern materials, with supple hide upholstery matched to contemporary metal interior finishes.
Scorecard
| Overall | undefined / 5 |
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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2006 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish.
Trending topics in reviews
- interior
- comfort
- lights
- handling & steering
- ride quality
Most helpful consumer reviews
5/5 stars, Vanquish
steve mann,
S 2dr Coupe (5.9L 12cyl 6AM)
This is a phenomenal sports car and handles beautifully.
5/5 stars, Iconic
Mansory S,
S 2dr Coupe (5.9L 12cyl 6AM)
Stunning super car for everyday.
4.75/5 stars, All around Vanquisher
DB,
S 2dr Coupe (5.9L 12cyl 6AM)
I have driven several before purchasing this car. The 2006 has a nicer interior with more features than you can learn in a weekend. Starting and driving this exotic muscle car produces the greatest sound. Steering and ride are precise and comfortable. It delivers choice in settings and although a little rough at low speed shifting for my wife. Driving is effortless. The limited edition Mansory kit offers some subtle carbon fiber ground effects and subdued tail lights, as well as the eye-catching double wide mouth grille.
Features & Specs
- Base MSRP
- $260,000
- MPG & Fuel
- 10 City / 16 Hwy / 12 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 22.0 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 2 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: rear wheel drive
- Transmission: 6-speed automated manual
- Engine
- V12 cylinder
- Horsepower: 520 hp @ 7000 rpm
- Torque: 425 lb-ft @ 5800 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- N/A
- Dimensions
- Length: 183.7 in. / Height: 51.9 in.
- Overall Width with Mirrors: N/A
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 75.7 in.
- Curb Weight: 4133 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 8.5 cu.ft.
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FAQ
Is the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2006 V12 Vanquish both on the road and at the track. You probably care about Aston Martin V12 Vanquish fuel economy, so it's important to know that the V12 Vanquish gets an EPA-estimated 12 mpg. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the V12 Vanquish has 8.5 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Aston Martin V12 Vanquish. Learn more
Is the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish reliable?
To determine whether the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the V12 Vanquish. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the V12 Vanquish's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2006 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2006 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish is a good car. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2006 V12 Vanquish is a good car for you. Check back soon for the official Edmunds Rating from our expert testing team Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2006 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish?
The least-expensive 2006 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish is the 2006 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S 2dr Coupe (5.9L 12cyl 6AM). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $260,000.
Other versions include:
- S 2dr Coupe (5.9L 12cyl 6AM) which starts at $260,000
What are the different models of Aston Martin V12 Vanquish?
If you're interested in the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish, the next question is, which V12 Vanquish model is right for you? V12 Vanquish variants include S 2dr Coupe (5.9L 12cyl 6AM). For a full list of V12 Vanquish models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more