Aston Martin DBS V12

The Aston Martin DBS is a high performance grand tourer based on the DB9 and manufactured by the British luxury automobile manufacturer Aston Martin. Damian Morys from New York City, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Aston Martin DBS V12
Aston Martin DBS - Flickr - Alexandre Prévot (11) (cropped).jpg
Alexandre Prévot from Nancy, France, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
ManufacturerAston Martin Lagonda Limited
Production2007–2012
Model years2008–2012
AssemblyUnited Kingdom: Gaydon, Warwickshire
DesignerMarek Reichman
Henrik Fisker
Body and chassis
ClassGrand tourer (S)
Body style
LayoutFront mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
PlatformVH Generation II
DoorsSwan
Related
Powertrain
Engine5.9 L AM11 V12
Transmission6-speed ZF 6HP26 (Touchtronic II) automatic[1]
6-speed Graziano manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase107.9 in (2,741 mm)
Length185.9 in (4,722 mm)
Width81.1 in (2,060 mm)
Height50.4 in (1,280 mm)
Curb weight1,695 kg (3,737 lb) (Coupe)[2]
1,810 kg (3,990 lb) (Volante)[3]
Chronology
PredecessorAston Martin Vanquish (First generation)
SuccessorAston Martin Vanquish (Second generation)
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Aston Martin DBS V12

The Aston Martin DBS is a high performance grand tourer based on the DB9 and manufactured by the British luxury automobile manufacturer Aston Martin.

Aston Martin has used the DBS name once before on their 1967–72 grand tourer coupé. The modern car replaced the 2004 Vanquish S as the flagship of the marque. The DBS ended production in 2012 and was succeeded by the second-generation of the Vanquish.

Models

DBS (2008–2012)

The DBS was officially unveiled at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on 16 August 2007,[4] which featured a brand new exterior colour (graphite grey with a blue tint) which has been dubbed "Lightning Silver", followed by 2007 Frankfurt motor show.[5]

Deliveries of the DBS began in the first quarter of 2008.

DBS Volante (2009–2012)

The convertible version of the DBS called the DBS Volante was unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show on 3 March 2009,[6] followed by the 2009 Concours d'Elegance.[7]

The DBS Volante includes a motorized retractable fabric roof controlled by a button in the centre console and can fold into the compartment located behind the seats in 14 seconds after the press of the button. The roof can be opened or closed while at speeds up to 48 km/h (30 mph). Apart from the roof, changes include a new wheel design available for both the coupé and volante versions and a 2+2 seating configuration also available for both versions. Other features include rear-mounted six-speed manual or optional six-speed ‘Touchtronic 2’ automatic gearbox, Bang & Olufsen BeoSound in-car entertainment system with 13 speakers. With a kerb weight of 1,810 kg (3,990 lb), the Volante is heavier than the coupe due to chassis stiffening modifications. The Volante accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.3 seconds and has a maximum speed of 307 km/h (191 mph).[3]

Deliveries of the DBS Volante began in the third quarter of 2009.[8]

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Carbon Black, UB-2010 Limited Edition (2010)

In 2010, Aston Martin introduced two special editions of the DBS.

Available for DBS and the V12 Vantage, the "Carbon Black" edition includes unique carbon black paint work (as well as orange and grey), Touchtronic gearbox, obsidian black or orange interior and lightweight seats.[9]

DBS UB-2010 Limited Edition is a limited (20 DBS coupés and twenty DBS Volantes) version of DBS coupé and Volante named after Dr. Ulrich Bez, the then CEO of Aston Martin Lagonda Limited, commemorating the tenth year of his appointment. This edition comes with the Touchtronic gearbox or a 6-speed manual gearbox upon request, azurite black exterior colour, blue brake calipers and a bronze coloured interior.

The DBS UB-2010 Limited Edition was unveiled at the 80th Geneva Motor Show. [10]

Aston Martin DBS.
Aston Martin DBS. Alexandre Prévot from Nancy, France, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2011 DBS Carbon Edition (2011–2012)

At the end of its production run, Aston Martin introduced a final edition of the DBS, named the Carbon Edition. Available as both a coupé and Volante (convertible), it had a choice of three 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 callipers, warm black grille, carbon fibre mirror heads, carbon fibre rear lamp in-fills, smoked rear lights, obsidian black or maranello orange semi-aniline leather upholstery, leather-quilted headlining, carbon fibre trim 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 and beam blade windscreen wipers.

The Carbon Edition was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.[11]

Deliveries began in the third quarter of 2012.[12][13]

Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Bull-Doser, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Aston Martin DBS Volante.
Aston Martin DBS Volante. Alexandre Prévot from Nancy, France, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Year of the Dragon 88 Limited Edition (2012)

The DBS Volante Dragon 88 honours the Year of the Dragon in China. It has 24-carat gold plate on nickel-coated 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) and a 1,000-Watt Bang & Olufsen audio system.

The DBS Volante Dragon 88 was unveiled at the 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition and production was limited to 88 units.[14][15]

2013 Aston Martin DBS Coupe Zagato Centennial.

At the firm's 100 year anniversary in Kensington Park, Zagato presented a unique car based on the Aston Martin DBS. It was commissioned by a Japanese entrepreneur and was painted blue. It was revealed along with the Aston Martin DB9 Spyder Zagato Centennial.[16]

Aston Martin DBS Coupe Zagato Centennial 3/4 front view.
Aston Martin DBS Coupe Zagato Centennial 3/4 front view. Norbert Aepli, Switzerland, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Aston Martin DBS Coupe Zagato Centennial side view.
Aston Martin DBS Coupe Zagato Centennial side view. Norbert Aepli, Switzerland, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Specifications

Overview specifications

  • Engine: 5,935 cc (362.2 cu in) AM11 V12, all-alloy, quad overhead camshaft, 4 valves per cylinder
  • Transmission: 6-speed manual (optional 6-speed 'Touchtronic 2' automatic)
  • Drivetrain: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout
  • Kerb weight: 1,695 kg (3,737 lb)
  • 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)
  • Max. power: 517 PS (380 kW; 510 hp) at 6,500 rpm
  • Torque: 570 N⋅m (420 lb⋅ft) at 5,750 rpm
  • Fuel capacity: 78 L (20.6 US gal; 17.2 imp gal)
  • Wheelbase: 107.9 in (2,741 mm)
  • Length: 185.9 in (4,722 mm)
  • Width: 81.1 in (2,060 mm)
  • Height: 50.4 in (1,280 mm)

Transmission

The DBS is equipped with a Graziano six-speed manual transaxle (initial 'launch' gearbox) and the optional 'Touchtronic 2' six-speed automatic transmission, based on the same ZF transaxle unit that was developed for the DB9, was introduced in 2008.[18] When fitted with the Touchtronic 2 transmission, the DBS has a heavier kerb weight of 1,765 kg (3,891 lb).[19]

Performance

The DBS is equipped with Aston Martin's 5.9-litre AM11 V12 engine with four valves per cylinder.[20] The same engine is also used in the DBR9 and DBRS9 racing cars albeit with extensive modifications. The engine of the DBS has a power output of 517 PS (380 kW; 510 hp) at 6,500 rpm and 570 N⋅m (420 lb⋅ft) of torque at 5,750 rpm with a compression ratio of 10.9:1. The engine also includes an active bypass valve which above 5,500 rpm opens and lets more air into the engine resulting in increased performance and propels the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.3 seconds and has a maximum speed of 309 km/h (192 mph).[21] In 2007, the British motoring show Top Gear tested the DBS around their Top Gear test track with a lap time of 1:23.9; 3.2 seconds faster than its predecessor, the Vanquish S and a second faster than the comparable Bentley Continental Supersports.

Handling

The DBS uses the Aston Martin VH platform. Due 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.[22]

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 desired driving mode according to the 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-inch wheels.

To reduce weight, Aston Martin made extensive use of carbon fibre throughout the 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 as compared to the 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 reduces 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 the DBS is a blend of carbon fibre, Alcantara, leather, wood, stainless steel and aluminium surfaces. The door panels are capped with carbon fibre and utilise carbon fibre 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 became available for the DB9 and the V8 Vantage as well. The key is made from stainless steel and glass and is inserted into a special slot in the dashboard.[23]

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.

The DBS returned for the pre-credits car chase around Lake Garda in the 2008 Bond film Quantum of Solace.[24]

One of the Aston Martin DBS' used in the James Bond film Casino Royale.
One of the Aston Martin DBS' used in the James Bond film Casino Royale. Morio, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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 the company to confuse spy photographers.[25] The official name of the vehicle was declared to be DBS.

Production

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

Production of the DBS totalled 3,400 units.

Comments

Aston Martin Lagonda road car timeline, 1948–present.

Type 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
89012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901
OwnerDavid BrownWilliam WilsonMinden & SpragueVictor Gauntlett et al.FordIndependent consortium
City CarCygnet
Luxury CarRapide
2.6 ltr3 ltrRapideLagondaTaraf
Grand TourerDB4DB5 & VolanteDBS & VantageV8 VantageV8 VantageVantageVantage
DB1DB2DB2/4 & MKIIIDB6DB7DB9 & V12 VirageDB11
DBS V8 & AM V8V8 VirageV8VanquishDBS V12VanquishDBS Superleggera
Limited ProductionOne-77VulcanVictor
DB4 ZagatoV8 ZagatoDB7 ZagatoDB AR1V12 ZagatoDBS/DB9/Virage ZagatoVanquish ZagatoDBS GT ZagatoValkyrie
Valhalla
Sports prototypeV12 Speedster
SUVDBX
Concept Car
Colour code

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