The car and all of its features come together to create
a driving experience that is a step above even the most
expensive exotic cars we have ever driven. Those with
a keen eye will also notice the kind of exterior propor-
tions that are used in the design. This is why each Aston
model in the lineup looks similar at first glance, but
that’s not a bad thing as an Aston’s shape is stunning.
But more than anything tactile in the interior and
exterior, it is the sound that the Vanquish makes that we
will remember the most. We open the windows to let
the engine’s music and exhaust notes in, and we revel in
the sensation that resonates in our eardrums. We drop
down to second gear and race to the 8,000rpm redline
whenever we get the chance. The feeling is indescrib-
able. Somebody kick us awake, please.
Our last question to Alex is this: Can we do it again,
man? Smiling, he says it’s okay, but this time we should
set the suspension damping to Track Mode. We happily
oblige. The chassis feel stiffens up immediately, and we
open up the throttle again and rip up the mountain road
at full tilt, enjoying the rapid 130 -millisecond upshifts
and downshifts, as well as the sound of the V 12 engine
echoing throughout the mountain. We drive harder and
watch the fuel gauge drop instantly. Who cares? Every-
thing is good in the world.
We also get a crack at driving the Rapide S, which
shares the same engine, and the experience is almost
similar. We’ve calmed down a bit, so we begin to appre-
ciate the luxurious nuances that Aston Martin interiors
offer. There’s the glass key that you insert into the igni-
tion located at the center of the dash; there’s the finely
crafted leather all around; the Alcantara headliner;
the firm and supportive seats; the ‘cascading’ center
stack; the instrument cluster gauge that looks like it
was crafted by a high-end watchmaker; the tachometer
that sweeps up counterclockwise; the feeling of utmost
elegance. This is a whole new level of luxury, and we can
sit here all day. The best part is that two more passen-
gers can join you in the back of the Rapide S.
We are told that buyers can customize exterior op-
tions like paint, wheels, graphics, aero kit and interior
packages like leather texture, color, stitching details,
steering and upholstery. There is a wide range of
choices. Check out the online configurator. However,
if the buyer still wants a more exclusive touch, they can
have their cars personalized with Q, which is the in-
house customization program that tailors anything on
a car. Some examples are to match the paint of your car
to your favorite shoes, or to have the Aston Martin logo
done in 18 k gold. The possibilities are limitless.
The Vanquish and the Rapide S are just a taste of
what Aston Martin Manila has to offer. The entire
lineup, with the Vantage and the DB 9 and all of their
variants will also be made available. The sightings of
these cars on our streets will be rare, but super cool.
Marc Tagle is one of the main men responsible
for bringing the brand into the Philippines. He notes
that our market has experienced a huge surge in car
sales over the past few years, including luxury sports
cars. Another indicator why the market is ripe for the
introduction of another luxury car brand is the number
of marques here. The figure is surprising. Almost all,
We check out the Taiwan
Palace Museum for a quick
glance into Chinese historyThe Vanquish cockpit is
the perfect balance of
sportiness and luxuryThe Rapide S interior
is no less stunning.
Pretty busy, though66 TOP GEAR PHILIPPINES WWW.topgear.com.ph