The Aston Martin Vanquish and Rapide S have been given some minor refreshments for the 2015 model year, including a new state-of-the-art eight-speed Touchtronic III automatic gearbox.

Enhanced performance

Both models have now been enhanced with a Touchtronic III eight-speed automatic transmission, combined with the latest generation of Bosch engine management system.

The new ZF-developed on the other hand debuts in a transaxle layout and helps the Vanquish cut 0.5 seconds from the 0-96 km/h) sprint which now takes 3.6 seconds, while the Rapide S is also half a second quicker and does the run in 4.2 seconds. The revised ratio for the final drive has resulted in both cars being able to reach a top speed of more than 322 km/h.

According to the manufacturer, the adoption of the new gearbox has also helped improve fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 11 per cent, resulting in a fuel consumption of 12.8-litres/100km and an emissions figure of 298 g/km on the Vanquish and 300 g/km on the Rapide S.

Further performance improvements come courtesy of reduced back pressure in the exhaust, adding 2 kW to the output which is now 424 kW in the Vanquish and by 1 kW to 412 kW in the Rapide S. Both the Aston Martin Vanquish and Rapide S further benefit from an extra 10 Nm, bringing the torque figure to 630 Nm at 5500 rpm.

New engine management system

Aston Martin engineers have additionally altered the torque tube to reduce the transfer of noise from the transmission to the cabin, and stability control has been recalibrated to make allowance for the new drivetrain setup.

The steering system’s ECU has been tuned for improved response and feel and the Vanquish rides on revised dampers that are 15% stiffer in the front end, 35% stiffer in the rear. Both cars are equipped with 20% stiff rear suspension bushes and an enhanced brake booster, and the Rapide S earns itself larger front brakes.

Cosmetic changes include new ten-spoke forged alloy wheel designs, available in a variety of finishes, new paint options and interior cabin leather trim and headlining colours.

Deliveries of the 2015 Aston Martin Vanquish and Rapide S will commence in the third quarter of the year. South African availability is yet to be confirmed.