On the 16th of January 2006, Aston Martin released very limited details of a new sportscar. Very little was said about the new DBS at that time except that it will be driven by James Bond 007 in the forthcoming film Casino Royale due for release in November 2006. The new James Bond actor, Daniel Craig, visited the AM Gaydon factory on the 13th January 2006 and had a brief drive of the car. It was almost as if no-one would get to see the car at all until the release of the film. The only image available at the time was this designers sketch (right). Just a month later, during his presentation at the Geneva Salon 2006, Dr Bez told the audience that the DBS is derived from the racing DBR9 - should be quick then....

What was really odd was that Corgi, the British die-cast manufacturer, famous for the ever popular Goldfinger DB5, actually previewed their model DBS at the British Toy Fair held in London during January 2006 - needless to say, pictures flew around the internet instantly. The Corgi DB5 is one of the greatest toys of all time, the Corgi DBS has a tough act to follow.

All photographs courtesy of Aston Martin and must not be reproduced without their strict permission

Then by surprise, AM released a few select pictures of the car in early May 2006 but virtually no technical details at all. What we can tell is that the DBS is closely based on the DB9 bodyshell but has a new front (with carbonfibre splitter) and rear boot lid spoiler and diffuser, deeper sills and more vents on the bonnet. The interior is covered in Alcantara and the DBS has a conventional manual gear change with the shift pattern illuminated; the six speed Graziano from the V8 Vantage perhaps. It's a two seater with space behind the seats to hold your race helmet. The DBS, it appears will get the side indicator repeaters in the wing vents and clear rear light clusters both as first seen on the Rapide concept.

It has been recently announced that 007 will be re-united with the DBS for the 22nd Bond film scheduled for release before Christmas 2008.

Site Index | Gaydon VH Index | AM Links | AM Books | Contact
Your First AM  | AM Glossary | About astonmartins.com