Michael Satterfield
It was only nine months ago that UK hot rodders R-Reforged announced the production version of the Aston Martin CALLUM Vanquish 25. Famed designer Ian Callum has revised the interior and added trim options since the 2019 unveiling of the concept.
The production car has over 350 engineering, material, and design changes that have been put to the test login over 20,000 miles across the UK. The improvements include a 10mm lower ride height and 60mm wider track than a standard Vanquish, pared with Michelin Plot Sport tires, Bilstein dampers, and stiffer swaybars, all designed to enhance the driving experience of a classic GT car.
After a year of piling on the miles in our development prototype, I’m confident we’ve hit the targets we set ourselves of a very responsive but supple car. There was a perception that much of what we planned was aesthetic but the way the car drives, feels, goes, stops and sounds is actually where a lot of our efforts have been focused. We’ve defined a set up that finesses the composed, big Aston Martin GT feel but sharpens and hones it in line the progress that new tires, suspension and knowledge brings. It’s got to be a car you want to use and be adaptable; laid back and comfortable enough to soak up a 300-mile trip across Europe but equally engaging and rewarding on a 20-minute run to meet friends at an informal cars and coffee meet. That versatility and accessible performance is something many contemporary GTs lack. We have all missed the chance to just go for a drive for pleasure in the past few months. This is now the car to make the most of those precious times.
The bespoke nature of the CALLUM Vanquish 25 project will allow customers to create their own perfect version of the Aston Martin Vanquish, from paint to sample options, to eight colors of leather and Alcantara trim, three transmission options, including a real manual, and three proprietary 20″ wheel choices. The cars will also feature a removable pocket watch, by UK watchmaker Bremont. Clients will also be able to select between walnut or carbon fiber and each CALLUM will include fitted luggage by Mulberry.
The designers, engineers and craftspeople have poured all their energy into breathing new life into the car, pushing the boundaries of every detail: flawless surface finishes, tight shutlines and a crafted interior I believe you’ll enjoy spending time in. I’m particularly impressed with how it drives. From the lower, more sculpted and cossetting seat, the crisper steering with enhanced feel to just the glorious way it sounds, I think we have created something quite special.
Under the hood, the Aston Martin V12 now produces 580hp thanks to a redesigned carbon fiber intake system and tuned equal length stainless steel headers that create which feed into a howling exhaust system that matches the muscular good looks of the reworked body panels. The Aston Martin CALLUM Vanquish 25 will go into production in September 2020, with the first cars being built for customers in Europe and Latin America.
