Launched in 2016, the DB11 brought Aston Martin into a new era, one that sees a brand-new platform replacing the Vertical\Horizontal underpinnings that entered production in 2004. With the DB11 having replaced the iconic DB9 and a new-generation Vantage almost ready for a public debut, Aston Martin is now working on a new version of the Vanquish, and a prototype was just spotted on the Nurburgring track.

Not much is known about the upcoming Vanquish, but the spy shots suggest a DB11-inspired design. This is far from surprising though, as the DB11 was used to introduce the company's latest styling language. So much like the DB9, which inspired the rest of the Aston Martin lineup back in the day, the DB11 will lend many of its features to the new Vantage and Vanquish. Of course, the Vanquish will be most aggressive of the trio in terms of styling, but also as far as performance goes.

There's no word as to when the new Vanquish will arrive, but given that the second-gen model is five years old as of 2017, I don't think we'll see it sooner than late 2018 in showrooms. But, until that happens, let's take a closer look at what we already know about the British grand tourer.

Continue reading to learn more about the upcoming Aston Martin Vanquish.

Exterior

If you see a DB11 in this spy shots, your mind isn't playing tricks on you. Those familiar cues are there for a reason. Actually, make that two reasons. First up, it's no longer a mystery that the upcoming Vanquish started life as a DB11 mockup. Second, the DB11 is the car that introduced Aston Martin's current design language, and it makes sense for the rest of the lineup to take inspiration from those cues.

But as similar as the two cars may seem, take a closer look, and you'll notice quite a few differences. Arguably the most noteworthy feature up front is the main grille. While shaped in the traditional Aston Martin way at the top, the Vanquish's grille is actually a tad narrower and taller, extending all the way to the splitter. The side vents also appear to be different, despite the heavy camouflage. The splitter is also narrower and doesn't extend over the corners of the bumper like on the DB11. The headlamps are different too, having a smaller surfaces and a less organic shape. Finally, the engine hood, which is slightly shorter, has big vents on each side of the center bulge.

The car's profile is actually identical to the DB11 for the most part, yet another hint that Aston Martin used the latter as a base for the test car. But while the front fender strake, the side skirts, and muscular beltline, and the roof are identical to the DB11, the nose, and the hood are notably shorter. This is because while the DB11 is a traditional grand tourer, the Vanquish is meant to fill the role of a front-engined supercar.

The rear end is once again similar to the DB11, and the heavy cladding on the center fascia and deck lid prevents us from getting a good look at most of the features, but we can still spot some difference. For starters, the prototype sports brand-new taillights. While the DB11 has thin, C-shaped clusters that extend into the trunk lid, the Vanquish has a more simple design with stripe-shaped units. What's more, the cladding on the trunk lid could hide a horizontal bar that extends on the entire width of the rear section, similar to the Porsche 911.

The diffuser is again similar to the DB11, but the center section has more aggressive wings hinting at the Vanquish's superior performance. Though not in its final stage, a quad-pipe exhaust layout replaces the DB11's dual-tip configuration.

Interior

Note: Aston Martin DB11 pictured here.

With no spy shots of the interior, it's hard to predict what the Vanquish has in store inside the cabin, but there's a big chance it will borrow some cues from the DB11. What we can assume is that it will be a brand-new design compared to the outgoing Vanquish.

Look for a sporty yet clean dashboard layout, a race-inspired instrument cluster, the DB11's 12-inch TFT display, and a flat-bottom steering wheel with redesigned controls. A new eight-inch TFT infotainment screen with rotary control will provide access to all the apps. The optional touchpad with character recognition, multi-touch and gesture support available in the DB11 should find its way into the Vanquish as well. A new satellite navigation and audio system, an auto-park assist feature, and 360-degree camera should also be included.

Much like any Aston Martin out there, the Vanquish will get new upholstery materials and finishes, and the usual "virtually limitless" combinations of colors, veneer, and metal trim. Look for fine leather and Alcantara highlighted by contrast stitching and piping and new finishes such as layered "Nexus" quilting and "Celestial" perforation.

Drivetrain

Note: Aston Martin DB11 pictured here.

The big news here is that the next-generation Vanquish will get Aston Martin's new architecture. The underpinnings have already debuted in the DB11 and will shave at least 150 pounds off the old model. Of course, the Vanquish will get its very own setup designed to handle increased performance, among other attributes.

Speaking of performance, the old 5.9-liter V-12 engine will be replaced with the newly-developed, twin-turbo, 5.2-liter V-12. Again, we've already seen what this engine is capable of in the DB11, which comes with 600 horsepower and 516 pound-feet on tap. That's five horses and 51 pound-feet more than the outgoing Vanquish S, but the redesigned model will get more than that. The Vanquish has been sitting at the top of the Aston Martin lineup in terms of performance since day one (not counting limited-edition models like the One-77 and Vulcan of course), so it's safe to assume that the Brits are aiming for at least 650 horsepower. With the Ferrari 812 Superfast rated at a whopping 789 horses, Aston Martin could look to squeeze close to 700 horsepower out of the V-12, but it's all just speculation at this point.

Performance-wise, it will be quicker than the outgoing Vanquish. I expect the new engine and lighter platform to shave at least two tenths off the current coupe's 0-to-60 mph, meaning it should boast a 3.2-second benchmark. Top speed should also increase from the current 201 mph to around 205 mph.

Note: Aston Martin DB11 pictured here.0}

Pricing for the upcoming Vanquish is obviously a mystery at this point, but it's safe to assume that the new-generation model will cost a tad more than the current version. With the available Vanquish S priced from $294,950, the next-gen coupe will most likely cost more than $300,000 before options.

Prices

Ferrari 812 Superfast

It might seem a bit awkward to compare the 812 Superfast to an Aston Martin on the performance front, but I'm pretty sure that the British firm is aiming in this specific direction with the upcoming Vanquish. Essentially an update to the F12berlinetta, the 812 Superfast features brand-new sheet metal, a revised interior, and new power under the hood. The styling is decidedly modern, but it also reminds of classic Ferraris like the 365 GTB4. The cabin carries over from the F12berlinetta, but it did gain a revised center stack, new controls, and a new steering wheel. The seats are sportier too, now featuring enhanced side bolstering. Under the hood, the already iconic 6.3-liter V-12 was replaced with a 6.5-liter unit. Output increased to an incredible 789 horsepower and 530 pound-feet of torque, arguably more than what the next-gen Aston Martin Vanquish will be able to deliver in its first years on the market. Charging from 0 to 60 mph takes only 2.9 seconds, while top speed is rated at an impressive 211 mph. Pricing should start from around $340,000 before options, which makes it more expensive than the upcoming Vanquish, but not by much given the extra oomph and technology.

Read our full review of the 2018 Ferrari 812 Superfast.

Bentley Continental GT

The Continental GT is more suited to go against the Vanquish. It's not as aggressive as the 812 Superfast, it has that British flair, and it's generally considered a better rival for Aston Martin's grand tourer. The Conti GT was just redesigned for the 2018 model year, and it now rides on a new, lighter platform, uses a new design language based on the EXP 10 Speed 6, and a redesigned interior with state-of-the-art technology and revised luxury features. The engine continued to be 6.0-liter W-12 design, but the unit is actually new, and it's now rated at 626 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. Granted, the Conti GT is not as powerful as the 812 Superfast, but it will be followed by Speed and Supersports versions. The latter will probably arrive with around 750 horsepower, which should be enough to at least give the Ferrari a run for its money. Pricing should start from around $220,000 for the GT, but the Supersports will fetch in excess of $300,000 before options.

Read our full story on the 2018 Bentley Continental GT.

Conclusion

If the DB11 is any indication, the upcoming Vanquish will be a significant departure from the current model. The lighter architecture, the more modern and sporty styling, and the redesigned interior with new technology and luxury features will make it as desirable as any high-profile grand tourer out there, including the 812 Superfast. Sure, it might not be as powerful and fast, but if Aston Martin decides to squeeze close to 700 horsepower from its new V-12 engine, it should at least give its Italian rival a good run for the money.