This is the just unveiled and very fetching new Aston Martin DB12, a car that the folks at its Gaydon HQ are hoping will help usher in a fresh new era for the famous British marque.
Wider, meaner-looking, and packing more power than its predecessor – the now seven year-old DB11 – it’s also showcasing a host of new technology, inside and out. So much so, that Aston is calling it the world’s first ‘super tourer’.
It’s the latest model in the marque’s famous DB range of grand tourers and also marks 75 years since the original DB1 hit the road (the DB representing the initials of Aston’s founder David Brown).
The 1963 DB5 achieved global stardom thanks to its appearance as James Bond’s ride of choice in Goldfinger, which started a ‘friendship’ between Aston and Bond’s producers Eon – unofficial and with no contracts in place or money changing hands – which appears stronger now than ever. A record four different Aston models appeared in Daniel Craig’s last outing No Time To Die.
This DB12 is being billed as somewhat different in personality from its DB ancestors, however - less of the fast but refined grand tourer associated with driving gloves and romantic roadside picnics, and more of the muscular, dead-eyed assassin chasing down its targets with ruthless efficiency. Less Connery, more Craig perhaps. (The unfortunate Roger Moore never got to drive an Aston Martin in all of his seven Bond films.)
Its 4-litre V8 Twin-Turbo engine has been tuned to within an inch of its life, producing a whopping 680 hp – the DB11 produces 528hp from the same AMG-sourced engine – thanks to multiple tweaks including bigger turbochargers and a redesigned cooling system. It manages a top speed of 202mph and can reach 60mph in 3.5 seconds from a standing start.
Handling this power will be helped by an all-new suspension featuring adaptive dampers and the addition of a rear Electronic differential – for the first time ever on an Aston DB model.
Bespoke ‘AML’ coded Michelin tyres on its new lightweight forged 21inch alloys are both a cool detail and a statement as to how precise this car intends to operate.
“DB12 is a statement car," says Roberto Fedeli, Aston Martin’s Group Chief Technology Officer. "We have pushed every aspect of this car to be best-in-class. The result is more power and performance than its rivals."
This new ambition is also reflected in its design. A wider stance, reshaped splitter and bigger grille create a face that manages to be suave and scary at the same time.
It’s also the first car to sport the redesign of the marque’s famous winged badge. Frameless wing mirrors and flush ‘presenting’ door handles represent the kind of details that might not have been seen as necessary on previous models.
The interior, not Aston’s strong point in recent years, has been completely redesigned and includes its first ever inhouse infotainment system featuring a 10.25 inch touchscreen and promising over-the-air system updates – a big move after years of using hand me downs from bigger car companies. It’s going to be interesting to try it out first-hand.
Work has been done to balance digital functions and old-school tactile buttons in the cabin, too, which remains a hard thing to get right.
Customers will be encouraged to use the new Aston Martin app where they can play around with various features to manage their car, including one they’ll be happy to leave untouched – a Stolen Vehicle Tracker.
Meanwhile, the company’s personalisation division – Q by Aston Martin (get it?) – offers the usual bespoke options on request.
It’s been a turbulent few years at Aston Martin since it went public in 2018, characterised by sliding share prices, record losses and even a lawsuit with dealers over its much-delayed Valkyrie hypercar.
Sales in 2023 have surged, however, and Chinese car giant Geely – investors in Volvo, Polestar and Lotus amongst others – has recently upped their stake to 17%, becoming the second highest shareholder behind Canadian businessman Lawrence Stroll who rescued Aston in 2020 and instigated its return to Formula 1.
Marking its 110th anniversary this year, the brand appears to have its eyes on the future once more. Let’s hope the DB12 is just the start.
