Aston Martin DBS V12

DBS (2008–2012)

Aston Martin DBS

The DBS was officially unveiled at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on 16 August 2007,^[2] 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.^[3]

Deliveries of the DBS began on Q1 2008.

DBS Volante (2009–2012)

Aston Martin DBS Volante

Aston Martin DBS Volante

The convertible version of the DBS dubbed the DBS Volante was unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show on 3 March 2009,^[4] followed by the 2009 Concours d'Elegance.^[5]

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 DBS in-car entertainment system with 13 speakers.

Deliveries of the DBS Volante began on Q3 2009.^[6]

Carbon Black, UB-2010 Limited Edition (2010)

In Q3 2010, Aston Martin released 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.^[7]

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 his appointment. This edition comes with the Touchtronic gearbox or the manual upon request, azurite black exterior colour, blue brake calipers and a bronze coloured interior.

DBS UB-2010 Limited Edition was unveiled at the 80th Geneva Motor Show.^[8]

2011 DBS Carbon Edition (2011–2012)

DBS Carbon Edition

At the end of its production run, Aston Martin released a final edition of the DBS, dubbed 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 rear lamp in-fills, smoked rear lights, obsidian black or maranello orange semi-aniline leather upholstery, leather-quilted headlining, 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 and beam blade windscreen wipers.

The vehicle was unveiled in 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.^[9]

Deliveries began on Q1 2012.^[10][11]

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 in China. It included 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), 1000W Bang & Olufsen audio system.

The vehicle was unveiled at the 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.^[12][13]

Overview specifications

• Engine: 5,935 cc (5.9 L; 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
• Curb 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: 510 bhp (380 kW; 517 PS) 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)^[14]

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.^[15]

Performance

The DBS is equipped with Aston Martin's 5.9-litre AM11 V12 engine with four valves per cylinder.^[16] The same engine is also used in the DBR9 and DBRS9 racing cars albeit with extensive modifications. The engine of the DBS produces 510 bhp (380 kW; 517 PS) 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 62 mph (100 km/h) 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.^[17] In 2007, the British motoring show Top Gear sent 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 VH Generation II platform, 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.^[18]

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.^[19]