Words: Nathan Chadwick | Images: Callum Designs
CALLUM is to showcase the Vanquish 25 – the ultimate Aston Martin Vanquish in the eyes of its designer, Ian Callum CBE – at Concours on Savile Row alongside tailor Edward Sexton.
Ian himself has led a hand-picked team to re-engineer every aspect of the car, with more than 350 engineering and design improvements to thoroughly invigorate the Vanquish. Noticeably sharper, more purposeful and exquisitely assembled with fantastic detailing, it can polish off continents with ease or simply take in shorter local drives.
The CALLUM Vanquish 25 has been thoroughly tested over 18 months, taking in the Scottish Highlands, Michelin’s proving ground in France and more besides, honing an extensive set of refinements over the standard Vanquish. It sits 10mm lower, while the track is 60mm wider. There are new LED headlights, an abstract tartan-design mesh in the bonnet vents, a billet-machined grille and new brake-cooling ducts in the front bumper. The interior has been refreshed, too, with a carbonfibre centre console featuring a machined metal frame, along with instruments and a detachable clock from Bremont. The infotainment is bang up to date, thanks to Apple CarPlay.
There’s more to discover inside, as there a lower, more sporting driving position in seats featuring Callum’s abstract tartan design in Bridge of Weir leather, complemented by bespoke Mulberry luggage. There are endless choices with regards to colour combination.
You can also choose from a variety of gearboxes – a torque-converter automatic, single-clutch paddleshift or manual. The 5.9-litre V12 has also been upgraded with revised cylinder heads, calibration changes and a new exhaust system from the manifolds to the back box. This all adds up to an extra 60bhp over the standard car – 580bhp in total.
The brakes have also been upgraded with carbon-ceramic discs, while the suspension has been retuned with Bilstein dampers, stiffer anti-roll bars and new bushing material, transforming the car’s dynamic abilities.
Such a rockstar car with a tuneful V12 engine note, makes Edward Sexton an excellent partner tailor for the event. Since the early 1970, when Edward Sexton co-founded Nutter’s of Savile Row with his business partner, Tommy Nutter, the firm has approached bespoke suits as fashion pieces, with a young, rebellious swagger. Artists, actors and models have lined up to be seen in Edward Sexton pieces. In 1969, The Beatles strode across Abbey Road in bespoke Edward Sexton suits, creating the cover image of an all-time classic album. Then, in 1973, Mick Jagger married Bianca Jagger in St Tropez in a cream gabardine suit – a look that Mark Ronson referenced with his Sexton suit at his 2011 wedding with Josephine de la Baume. Other clients have included Andy Warhol, David Hockney, Sir Hardy Amies, Naomi Campbell, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Tinie Tempah, Annie Lennox, Jarvis Cocker, Benedict Cumberbatch and Harry Styles.
You can find out more about the Vanquish 25 here, and more about Edward Sexton here.