Aston Martin DBS V12

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This article is about the new Aston Martin DBS V12. For the classic, 1967 to 1972 GT car, see Aston Martin DBS.
Aston Martin DBS V12
Aston Martin DBS V12 logo
Manufacturer Aston Martin Lagonda Limited
Production 2007 - present
Assembly Gaydon, England
Predecessor Aston Martin Vanquish S
Class Grand tourer
Body style(s) 2-door coupé
Layout FR layout
Platform Ford VH platform
Engine(s) 6.0 L V12
Related Aston Martin DBR9
Aston Martin DBRS9

The modern Aston Martin DBS is a high performance sports car from the UK manufacturer Aston Martin. Aston has used the DBS name once before on their 1967-72 grand tourer coupe. The modern car replaces the Vanquish S as the flagship of the marque.

It was officially unveiled at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on 2007-08-16, which featured a brand new exterior colour, a graphite grey with a blue tint which has been dubbed 'Casino Ice'. Delivery began on 2008 Q1.

The car was built in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Its engine was built at the Aston Martin engine plant in Cologne, Germany

Contents

[edit] Specifications

[edit] Overview Specs

  • Base Price: $269,000
  • Engine: 6.0 Litre 48-valve V12
  • Drivetrain: RWD (Rear Wheel Drive)
  • Curb Weight: 3,737 lb (1,695 kg)
  • City Fuel Economy: 12 mpg-US (20 L/100 km; 14 mpg-imp)
  • Highway Fuel Economy: 18 mpg-US (13 L/100 km; 22 mpg-imp)
  • Horsepower: 510 hp (380 kW; 517 PS) at 6500 rpm
  • Torque: 420 lb·ft (569 N·m) at 5750 rpm
  • Wheelbase: 107.9 in (2,741 mm)
  • length: 185.9 in (4,722 mm)
  • Width: 75.0 in (1,905 mm)
  • Height: 50.4 in (1,280 mm)

[edit] Performance

Power comes from the heavily revised 5935 cc V12 engine from the DBR9 racing car, tuned to deliver 517 PS (510 hp/380 kW) at 6500 rpm and 570 N·m (420 lb·ft) at 5750 rpm torque. The engine features a new by-pass air intake port that opens above 5500 rpm to boost engine breathing as well as re-profiled air inlet ports that further improve airflow into the combustion chamber.

The car comes with a 6-speed manual or "Touchtronic" 6-speed automatic transmission.[1]

The 2-seater coupé (as opposed to the 2+2 DB9 which the car is based on) has a bonded aluminium chassis and is made of lightweight magnesium alloy, carbon fibre composite and aluminium. It is the first production Aston Martin to make extensive use of carbon-fibre body panels.

The car's curb weight of 3,737 pounds (1,695 kg), combined with the engine help the DBS accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds and reach top speed of over 312 km/h (194 mph).[2]

[edit] Handling

The DBS is fitted with new vented carbon ceramic brakes discs – a first for a road-going Aston Martin, it reduces unsprung weight by 12.5 kg (28 lb). The front wheels are fitted with 398 mm (15.7 in) diameter carbon ceramic brakes with 6-piston calipers. The rear wheels have 360 mm (14.2 in) diameter brakes with 4-piston calipers. The double wishbone alloy [suspension] features an adaptive damper controlled suspension which uses two separate valves to set the dampers to five different positions, allowing instant adjustment of the car’s ride and handling characteristics.

[edit] Interior

Also included is a new hand finished interior with black lacquer, brushed alloy, semi-aniline leather and Alcantara as some of the materials. The Aston Martin DBS also features an optional Bang & Olufsen sound system with 13 active loudspeakers including 2 tweeters with ALT (Acoustic Lens Technology)[3].

[edit] DBS Volante

On 2008-01-22, CarAdvice.com.au reported the existence of a convertible DBS, which was expected to be named DBS Volante.[4]

Aston Martin later announced on its website and Facebook page late February that the DBS Volante would be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on 2009-03-03.[5]

[edit] Film appearances

The DBS was first seen in the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale.

Although Ford sold over 90% of Aston Martin Lagonda Limited in 2007, the DBS returns for the pre-credits car chase around Lake Garda in the 2008 Bond film Quantum of Solace.[6]

[edit] Naming confusion

Some confusion over the name of the production version occurred when some test mules running around the Nürburgring were given DBRS9 badges. However, it would seem that this was only a trick played by Aston to confuse spy photographers.[7] The official name of the vehicle has been declared to be Aston Martin DBS V12.

The first cars ever to hold the name Aston Martin DBS were originally produced from 1967 until 1972. One of them featured in the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

[edit] References

  1. ^ RSPORTSCARS | Price, Specs and More
  2. ^ Aston Martin DBS
  3. ^ "BeoSound DBS Sound System". Bang & Olufsen. http://www.bang-olufsen.com/aston-martin/beosound-dbs. 
  4. ^ Aston Martin DBS Volante spy photos &raquo Australian Car Advice | News Blog
  5. ^ Aston Martin to premiere DBS Volante - Canadian Driver
  6. ^ "Aston Martin DBS to star in new James Bond film". Aston Martin. 2007. http://www.astonmartin.com/thecompany/news?a=14d34f22-1324-4ca5-acbb-764f80c7d7f2. Retrieved on 2007-12-11. 
  7. ^ Car and Driver - Spied 2008 Aston Martin DBS

[edit] External links

Search Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Aston Martin DBS V12
v • d • e
Aston Martin and Lagonda road car timeline, 1948–present
Type 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s
8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Grand tourer DB1 DB2 DB2/4 DB Mk III DBS/Vantage DB7 I6 V8 Vantage
DB4 DB5 DB6 V8 Virage/V8 DB7 Vantage DB9
V8 Vantage V8 Vantage V12 Vanquish DBS V12
Limited Run Zagato Zagato Zagato AR1 One-77
4-door 2.6-Litre 3-Litre Rapide Lagonda Rapide
Owner David Brown Limited William Willson Sprague & Minden Pace Petroleum & Gauntlett Gauntlett & Livanos Gauntlett, Livanos & Ford Ford Richards, Sinders, Dar, Adeem
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