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Aston Martin DBS V12 (2007 - ) |
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There does appear to have been an especially long
wait from the first announcement of the DBS and the unveiling of the actual
production car. Announced in January 2006, AM were forced to show pictures in
May 2006 to stifle damaging spy shots. James Bond was seen to drive his DBS in
November 2006 but their was no sign of the car in the showroom. Perhaps AM
just wanted to properly phase out the Vanquish before offering a new 'hero' car or
wanted as much testing time as possible on the Nürburgring to perfect the 'S'.
By the Summer of 2007, everyone was focussed on the September Frankfurt Motor Show but then from nowhere, AM used the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey, CA in August 2007 to showcase the car. Excellent choice as AM were one of the featured marques at this most prestigious event in the classic car world. From what I can see, externally, the DBS is exactly the same as the version seen in Casino Royale; much like a DB9 on which it is closely based but with considerably more menace. The V12 engine has been tuned to produce 510bhp @ 6500 rpm and 420 lb ft of torque at 5750rpm when coupled to a close ratio 6-speed gearbox results in a top speed of 191 mph and 0-60 dash in 4.3 seconds. I don't really like to mention this, but peak power and top-end performance are just a shade behind the outgoing Vanquish S. I'm not aware of any plans to release a paddle shift system on the DBS, which has a conventional gear stick and three pedals For the first time on an Aston road car, the DBS has vented carbon ceramic brakes: 398mm diameter six pot at the front, 360mm four pot at the back. |
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Another first for an Aston are the carbonfibre
composite body panels which are used for the boot enclosure, boot lid, door
opening surrounds, front wings and bonnet, together offering a 30kg saving over
the aluminium equivalent. On top of the carbon weave, a patented Surface Veil
process is used that applies a 200micron layer of epoxy and glass to give the
ultra smooth finish expected on an Aston. Overall, the weight of the two seat only DBS is 65kg lower than the DB9; by specifying the Kevlar and carbon-fibre optional seats (not available in the USA) provides a further weight saving of 20kg. The interior leather is lighter weight semi-aniline and even the carpets have been made of a lighter weight fibre. The conventional key has been ditched in the DBS and replaced by a polished sapphire ECU that is inserted into a slot in the starter button. The centre console has been changed with a cast metal surround, new graphics and turned aluminium heater knobs. At the launch no price was given, these are expected to be announced at the Frankfurt Motor Show: deliveries should begin in the very early part of 2008. Initially back in '06 I understood that the numbers of DBS built could be limited but this now appears not to be the case. I would anticipate that the clear rear light lenses, LED indicators in the side strake and Volvo sourced door mirrors will be seen on a revised DB9 at some time soon, 08 model year perhaps. |
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| Page Updated Sunday June 29, 2008 |
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