Aston Martin DBS V12

This article is about the new Aston Martin DBS. For the classic, 1967 to 1972 GT car, see Aston Martin DBS.
Aston Martin DBS V12
Overview
Manufacturer Aston Martin Lagonda Limited
Production 2007–2012
Assembly Gaydon, England
Designer Marek Reichman
Body and chassis
Class Grand tourer (S)
Body style 2-door coupé
2-door convertible
Layout FR layout
Platform Aston Martin VH platform
Related Aston Martin DB9
Powertrain
Engine 5.935 L V12
Chronology
Predecessor Aston Martin Vanquish S
Successor Aston Martin Vanquish (Project AM310)

The modern Aston Martin DBS is a high performance GT sports car version of the DB9 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 2004 Vanquish S as the flagship of the marque.

Models

DBS (2008-2012)

It was officially unveiled at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on 16 August 2007,[1] which featured a brand new exterior colour, a graphite grey with a blue tint which has been dubbed "Lightning Silver", followed by 2007 Frankfurt motor show.[2]

Delivery began on 2008 Q1.

DBS Volante (2009-2012)

Aston Martin DBS Volante

DBS Volante includes a motorized retractable fabric roof controlled by a button in the center console and can be fully gone in 14 seconds after the press of the button. The roof can be opened or closed while moving at vehicle speed up to 48 km/h (30 mph). Apart from the roof, changes include a new wheel design available for both the coupe and volante versions and 2+2 seating configuration also available for both versions. Other features include rear-mounted six-speed manual or optional six-speed ‘Touchtronic’ automatic gearbox, Bang & Olufsen BeoSound DBS in-car entertainment system with 13 speakers.

The vehicle was unveiled in 2009 Geneva Motor Show on 3 March 2009,[3] followed by 2009 Concours d'Elegance.[4]

Delivery began during quarter three 2009.[5]

Carbon Black, UB-2010 Limited Edition (2010)

As of Q3 2010, Aston Martin has released 2 special editions of the DBS.

Available for DBS and the V12 Vantage, the "Carbon Black" edition includes unique carbon black paint job (as well as orange and grey), Touchtronic gearbox, obsidian black or orange interior and lightweight seats.[6]

DBS UB-2010 Limited Edition is a limited (20 DBS Coupes and 20 DBS Volante convertibles) version of DBS Coupe and Volante convertible named after Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin Lagonda Limited, commemorating the 10th year of Dr. Bez as CEO. This edition comes with the Touchtronic gearbox or the manual upon request, azurite black exterior color, blue brake calipers and a bronze-colored interior.

DBS UB-2010 Limited Edition was unveiled in 80th Geneva Autosalon.[7]

2011 DBS Carbon Edition (2011-2012)

It is a version of DBS coupe and DBS Volante with a choice of 3 body colours (Flame Orange, Ceramic Grey, Carbon Black) with glass veneer appearance (optional satin lacquer paint finish), 10-spoke gloss black diamond turned wheels with a reversed diamond turned (optional full gloss black) finish, black (optional yellow, orange, red or grey) brake calipers, warm black grille, carbon fibre mirror heads, carbon rear lamp in-fills, smoked rear lights, obsidian black or maranello orange semi-aniline leather upholstery, leather-quilted headlining for DBS Carbon Edition coupe, carbon fibre facia with a carbon weave positioned exactly to follow the form of the dashboard, unique carbon fibre special edition sill plaque with laser etched metal inlay, Aston Martin Garmin satellite navigation system, beam blade windscreen wipers.

The vehicle was unveiled in 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.[8]

Delivery began in the first quarter of 2012.[9][10]

Year of the Dragon 88 Limited Edition (2012)

It is a limited (88 units) version of DBS Volante to honour of the Year of the Dragon. It included 24-carat gold plate on nickel-coated and 24-carat gold-plated Aston Martin wing badges affixed to the bonnet and rear of each car, bright finish front grille, bonnet meshes and side strakes; choice of three unique 10-spoke designs lightweight forged wheels with a special silver finish, Black brake callipers, a choice of 3 body colours (Amethyst Red, Volcano Red, Champagne Gold) with matching interior upholstery colours (Spicy Red, Deep Purple, Chancellor Red interior for Amethyst Red, Volcano Red, Champagne Gold body respectively), Sahara Tan thread stitching, Piano Black facia trim with a unique gold inlay pattern at dashboard, glass switchgear, headrest embroidery design with rendered using four thread colours (Metallic Gold, Cream Truffle, Winter Wheat and Kestrel Tan) inspired by the Nine-Dragon Wall in Beihai Park, unique laser-etched sill plaques bearing the number and designation, Presentation Box wrapped in the same leather as the interior of their car and lined with Ivory Alcantara (box lid bears an embroidered dragon, with Aston Martin wings embossed on to the front of the lid and a replica sill plaque on the inside of the lid; each box contains an Owner's Guide with gold detailing, two glass ECUs with leather pouches, a pair of customised Bang & Olufsen earphones with laser-etched Aston Martin wings in a leather pouch), 1000W Bang & Olufsen audio system.

The vehicle was unveiled in 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.[11][12]

Specifications

Overview specifications

Aston Martin DBS V12 pictured in London

Transmission

Graziano six-speed manual transaxle (initial 'launch' gearbox). Touchtronic 2 six-speed automatic transmission option, based on the same ZF transaxle unit that was developed for the DB9, was introduced in 2008.[13]

Performance

The DBS is equipped with 5935 cc V12 engine with four valves per cylinder. The same engine is also used in the DBR9 and DBRS9 racing cars albeit with extensive modifications. The engine of the DBS produces 510 horsepower (380 kW) at 6500 rpm and 570 N·m (420 lb·ft) of torque @ 5750 rpm with a compression ratio of 10.9:1. The engine also includes an active bypass valve which above 5500 rpm opens and lets more air into the engine resulting in increased performance and propels the car from 0-62 mph in 4.3 seconds and has a maximum speed of 191 mph (307 km/h) and 183 mph (295 km/h) with TOUCHTRONIC 2’ transmission. In 2007, the British motoring show Top Gear sent the DBS around their Top Gear test track seconds faster than its predecessor the Vanquish S, and a second faster than the comparable Bentley Continental Supersports.

Handling

Aston Martin uses the same VH (vertical horizontal) structure as with the DB9, which provides strength and rigidity to the whole car. Thanks to the structure, 85% of the weight of the car is kept between the wheelbase, which results in increased handling, responsiveness and feel during tight cornering.

Aston Martin has also developed an Adaptive Damping System, or ADS, which alters the suspension in order for the car to cope with the driver's desires and road/weather conditions. When turned on, the ADS automatically alters the suspension settings to ensure the driver has high levels of control at all times. Apart from the suspension getting stiffer, throttle and braking response is increased and steering is sharpened.

The DBS is fitted with Pirelli P-Zero tyres developed especially for the car, along with lightweight, aluminium 20" wheels.

To keep the weight as low as possible, Aston Martin has made extensive use of carbon fibre throughout the whole car. The bonnet, the boot, the front wings, the door opening surrounds and the boot compartment are all made of carbon fibre. The carpets are also made by special thin layers made from carbon fibre. The roof and the doors are made of aluminium. The result is a 30 kg (66 lb) weight reduction from a regular DB9. The car is also fitted with a carbon fibre splitter at the front wings to increase handling and a carbon fibre rear diffuser to increase high-speed stability.

The brake discs are carbon ceramic, which shaves a significant 12.5 kg (28 lb) from the unsprung weight. At the front, there are 398 mm (15.7 in) ventilated and drilled brakes with 6-piston alloy monobloc calipers. At the back, there are 360 mm (14.2 in) ventilated and drilled brakes with 4-piston alloy monobloc calipers.

Interior

The interior of a DBS is a blend of carbon fibre, alcantara, leather, wood, stainless steel and aluminium surfaces. The door panels are capped with carbon fibre and utilize CF door pulls. The fascia is, as standard, matrix alloy and iridium silver centre console or, as an optional extra, piano black fascia and centre console. To achieve even greater weight savings, the carpet has a special lightweight weave. The car is started by means of the "Emotion Control Unit", which was initially developed especially for the DBS but as of 2008 is available for the DB9 and V8 Vantage as well. The key is made from stainless steel and glass and is inserted into a special slot in the dashboard.

Film appearances

The DBS was first seen in the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale, the first film in which Bond was played by Daniel Craig, as a result of a product placement deal with Aston Martin's parent company at the time, Ford.

Although the company sold over 90% of Aston Martin Lagonda Limited in 2007, the DBS returned for the pre-credits car chase around Lake Garda in the 2008 Bond film Quantum of Solace.[14]

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.[15] The official name of the vehicle has been declared to be Aston Martin DBS.

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.

Production

The DBS was built in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Its engine is built at the Aston Martin engine plant in Cologne, Germany. The DBS Volante was built at Aston Martin’s global headquarters at Gaydon, Warwickshire.

The DBS was replaced by Aston Martin Vanquish.

Approximately 3400 DBS' were made.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aston Martin DBS (2007).
Aston Martin and Lagonda road car timeline, 1948–present
Type 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s
89 0123456789 0123456789 0123456789 0123456789 0123456789 0123456789 0123456
Owner David Brown Limited Wilson Sprague, Minden Gauntlett, Pace Gauntlett, Livanos Gauntlett, Livanos, Ford Ford Motor Company Dar, Adeem, Bez, Richards Investindustrial, Primewagon, Dar et al.
City car Cygnet
Luxury car Rapide
Lagonda 2.6 Litre 3 Litre Rapide V8 Taraf
Sports car DB1 DB2 DB2/4 DBMKIII Volante Vantage
Grand Tourer DB4 DB5 DB6 Vantage DB7 DB7 Vantage DB9
DBS AMV8 V8 Virage V8 Virage
Supercar V8 Vantage V8 Vantage V12 Vanquish DBS Vanquish
One-77 Vulcan
Zagato DB4GT Zagato V8 Zagato DB7 Zagato DBAR1 V12 Zagato
Concepts
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