Aston Martin DBS V12
Encyclopedia
The modern Aston Martin DBS is a high performance GT sports car from the UK manufacturer Aston Martin
. Aston has used the DBS
name once before on their 1967–72 grand tourer
coupe. The modern car replaces the 2004 Vanquish S as the flagship of the marque.
It was officially unveiled at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
on 16 August 2007, which featured a brand new exterior colour, a graphite grey with a blue tint which has been dubbed "Casino Ice". Delivery began on 2008 Q1.
The car is built in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Its engine is built at the Aston Martin engine plant in Cologne, Germany.
and recorded a lap time of 1:23.9, a second faster than the comparable Bentley Continental Supersports
.
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 also steering is sharpened.
The DBS is fitted with Pirelli P-Zero tyres which have been developed especially for the car, along with lightweight, aluminum 20" wheels.
To keep the weight as low as possible, Aston Martin has made extensive use of carbon fiber throughout the whole car. The bonnet, the boot, the front wings and the door opening surrounds are all made by carbon fiber. The carpets are also made by special thin layers from carbon fiber. The roof and the doors are made by aluminum. The result of all that is a 30 kg (66 lb) weight reduction from a regular DB9.
The car is also fitted with a carbon fiber splitter at the front wings to increase handling and a carbon fiber 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. In the front, there are 398 mm (15.7 in) ventilated and drilled brakes with 6-piston alloy monobloc calipers. In the back, there are 360 mm (14.2 in) ventilated and drilled brakes with 4-piston alloy monobloc calipers.
Bang & Olufsen has developed a 1000-Watt sound system for the DBS which consists of 13 speakers located in 10 different locations throughout the cabin.
page in February 2009 that the DBS Volante would be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on 2009-03-03. The convertible version was introduced in August at the 2009 Concours d'Elegance
at Pebble Beach, California
.
The roof is electronically controlled by a button in the center console and can be fully gone in 14 seconds after the press of the button. The roof can also be opened or closed while moving but vehicle speed must not exceed 30 mi/h. Apart from the roof, changes include a new wheel design available for both the coupe and volante versions and 2+2 seating configuration also available for both versions.
The "Carbon Black" edition is a package which includes unique carbon black paint job, Touchtronic gearbox, obsidian black interior with silver stitching and lightweight seats.
The "UB-2010" edition is named after Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin Lagonda Limited and it commemorates the 10th year of Dr. Bez as CEO. This edition is limited to only 20 coupes and 20 convertibles. This edition comes with the Touchtronic gearbox or the manual upon request, azurite black exterior color, blue brake calipers and a bronze-colored interior.
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.
Although the company sold over 90% of Aston Martin Lagonda Limited
in 2007, the DBS returned for the pre-credits car chase around Lake Garda
in the 2008
Bond film
Quantum of Solace.
A CGI Aston Marton DBS appears in the animated Transformers: Prime
as the vehicle mode of the Decepticon
Knock Out.
were given DBRS9 badges. However, it would seem that this was only a trick played by Aston to confuse spy photographers. The official name of the vehicle has been declared to be Aston Martin
DBS.
The first cars ever to hold the name Aston Martin DBS
were originally produced from 1967 until 1972. One of them featured in the 1969 James Bond
film On Her Majesty's Secret Service
.
Aston Martin
Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is a British manufacturer of luxury sports cars, based in Gaydon, Warwickshire. The company name is derived from the name of one of the company's founders, Lionel Martin, and from the Aston Hill speed hillclimb near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire...
. Aston has used the DBS
Aston Martin DBS
The Aston Martin DBS is a GT car produced by the British manufacturer Aston Martin Lagonda Limited. Originally produced from 1967–72, it featured in the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service...
name once before on their 1967–72 grand tourer
Grand tourer
A grand tourer is a high-performance luxury automobile designed for long-distance driving. The most common format is a two-door coupé with either a two-seat or a 2+2 arrangement....
coupe. The modern car replaces the 2004 Vanquish S as the flagship of the marque.
It was officially unveiled at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is an automotive charitable event held each year on the Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California, considered the most prestigious event of its kind. It is the finale of a week long festival of classic cars events in the Monterey area every year...
on 16 August 2007, which featured a brand new exterior colour, a graphite grey with a blue tint which has been dubbed "Casino Ice". Delivery began on 2008 Q1.
The car is built in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Its engine is built at the Aston Martin engine plant in Cologne, Germany.
Overview specifications
- Engine: 5.9 Litre 48-valve V12
- Transmission: 6-Speed Manual (optional 6-Speed Automatic)
- Drivetrain: RWD (Rear Wheel Drive)
- Kerb Weight: 1695 kg (3,736.8 lb)
- City Fuel Economy: 12 miles per US gallon
- Highway Fuel Economy: 18 miles per US gallon
- Horsepower: 510 hp at 6500 rpm
- Torque: 420 lbft at 5750 rpm
- Wheelbase: 107.9 in (2,741 mm)
- Length: 185.9 in (4,722 mm)
- Width: 75 in (1,905 mm)
- Height: 50.4 in (1,280 mm)
Performance
The DBS is equipped with 5935 cc V12 engine with four valves per cylinder. The same engine is also used in the DBR9 and DBRS9 racing cars albeit with extensive modifications. The engine of the DBS produces 510 hp at 6500 rpm and 570 newton metre of torque @ 5750 rpm. The engine also includes an active bypass valve which above 5500 rpm opens and lets more air into the engine resulting in increased performance. Compression ratio is 10.9:1 which combined with the above propels the car from 0-62 mph in 4.3 seconds all the way up to 191 mi/h. In 2007, the British motoring show Top Gear sent the DBS around their famous test trackTop Gear Test Track
The Top Gear test track is used by the BBC automotive television programme Top Gear. It is located at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey, United Kingdom. The track was designed by Lotus Cars...
and recorded a lap time of 1:23.9, a second faster than the comparable Bentley Continental Supersports
Bentley Continental GT
-Flying Spur:The four door Continental Flying Spur saloon was first displayed at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. The Flying Spur utilizes most of the technical underpinnings of the Bentley Continental GT, and was introduced to European and North American markets in the summer of 2005...
.
Handling
As with the DB9, Aston Martin uses the same VH (vertical horizontal) structure 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.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 also steering is sharpened.
The DBS is fitted with Pirelli P-Zero tyres which have been developed especially for the car, along with lightweight, aluminum 20" wheels.
To keep the weight as low as possible, Aston Martin has made extensive use of carbon fiber throughout the whole car. The bonnet, the boot, the front wings and the door opening surrounds are all made by carbon fiber. The carpets are also made by special thin layers from carbon fiber. The roof and the doors are made by aluminum. The result of all that is a 30 kg (66 lb) weight reduction from a regular DB9.
The car is also fitted with a carbon fiber splitter at the front wings to increase handling and a carbon fiber 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. In the front, there are 398 mm (15.7 in) ventilated and drilled brakes with 6-piston alloy monobloc calipers. In 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 fiber, alcantara leather, stainless steel and aluminum surfaces. The seats are made from semi aniline and alcantara leather and both bear the DBS signature. The door panels are carbon fiber and the facia trim is as a standard, matrix alloy and iridium silver center console or as an optional extra piano black facia trim and center console. The key to start the car is the "Emotion Control Unit" which at start was specially developed for the DBS but from 2008 is available for the DB9 and V8 Vantage as well. The key is made from stainless steel and glass and is inserted to a special hole in the dashboard.Bang & Olufsen has developed a 1000-Watt sound system for the DBS which consists of 13 speakers located in 10 different locations throughout the cabin.
DBS Volante
Aston Martin announced on its website and FacebookFacebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
page in February 2009 that the DBS Volante would be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on 2009-03-03. The convertible version was introduced in August at the 2009 Concours d'Elegance
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is an automotive charitable event held each year on the Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California, considered the most prestigious event of its kind. It is the finale of a week long festival of classic cars events in the Monterey area every year...
at Pebble Beach, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
The roof is electronically controlled by a button in the center console and can be fully gone in 14 seconds after the press of the button. The roof can also be opened or closed while moving but vehicle speed must not exceed 30 mi/h. Apart from the roof, changes include a new wheel design available for both the coupe and volante versions and 2+2 seating configuration also available for both versions.
Special editions
As of Q3 2010, Aston Martin has released 2 special editions of the DBS. One is the "Carbon Black" edition which is available only for the DBS and the V12 Vantage models, and the other is the "UB-2010 Limited Edition" which is available for the both the DBS Coupe and the DBS Volante versions.The "Carbon Black" edition is a package which includes unique carbon black paint job, Touchtronic gearbox, obsidian black interior with silver stitching and lightweight seats.
The "UB-2010" edition is named after Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin Lagonda Limited and it commemorates the 10th year of Dr. Bez as CEO. This edition is limited to only 20 coupes and 20 convertibles. This edition comes with the Touchtronic gearbox or the manual upon request, azurite black exterior color, blue brake calipers and a bronze-colored interior.
Film appearances
The DBS was first seen in the 2006 James BondJames Bond (film series)
The James Bond film series is a British series of motion pictures based on the fictional character of MI6 agent James Bond , who originally appeared in a series of books by Ian Fleming. Earlier films were based on Fleming's novels and short stories, followed later by films with original storylines...
film Casino Royale
Casino Royale (2006 film)
Casino Royale is the twenty-first film in the James Bond film series and the first to star Daniel Craig as fictional MI6 agent James Bond...
, the first film in which Bond was played by Daniel Craig
Daniel Craig
Daniel Wroughton Craig is an English actor. His early film roles include Elizabeth, The Power of One, A Kid in King Arthur's Court and the television episodes Sharpe's Eagle, Zorro and The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles: Daredevils of the Desert...
, as a result of a product placement deal with Aston Martin's parent company at the time, Ford.
Although the company sold over 90% of Aston Martin Lagonda Limited
Aston Martin
Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is a British manufacturer of luxury sports cars, based in Gaydon, Warwickshire. The company name is derived from the name of one of the company's founders, Lionel Martin, and from the Aston Hill speed hillclimb near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire...
in 2007, the DBS returned for the pre-credits car chase around Lake Garda
Lake Garda
Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. It is located in Northern Italy, about half-way between Brescia and Verona, and between Venice and Milan. Glaciers formed this alpine region at the end of the last ice age...
in the 2008
2008 in film
This is a list of all major films made in 2008.-Highest-grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2008...
Bond film
James Bond (film series)
The James Bond film series is a British series of motion pictures based on the fictional character of MI6 agent James Bond , who originally appeared in a series of books by Ian Fleming. Earlier films were based on Fleming's novels and short stories, followed later by films with original storylines...
Quantum of Solace.
A CGI Aston Marton DBS appears in the animated Transformers: Prime
Transformers: Prime
Transformers: Prime, also known as Transformers: Prime –The Animated Series, is an American computer-animated television series based on the Transformers toy franchise by Hasbro. It airs on the The Hub in the United States...
as the vehicle mode of the Decepticon
Decepticon
The Decepticons are usually depicted as the antagonists in the fictional universes of the Transformers stoyline and related comics and cartoons, and the enemies of the Autobots and the University of California Davis Aggies...
Knock Out.
Naming confusion
Some confusion over the name of the production version occurred when some test mules running around the NürburgringNürburgring
The Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about...
were given DBRS9 badges. However, it would seem that this was only a trick played by Aston to confuse spy photographers. The official name of the vehicle has been declared to be Aston Martin
Aston Martin
Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is a British manufacturer of luxury sports cars, based in Gaydon, Warwickshire. The company name is derived from the name of one of the company's founders, Lionel Martin, and from the Aston Hill speed hillclimb near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire...
DBS.
The first cars ever to hold the name Aston Martin DBS
Aston Martin DBS
The Aston Martin DBS is a GT car produced by the British manufacturer Aston Martin Lagonda Limited. Originally produced from 1967–72, it featured in the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service...
were originally produced from 1967 until 1972. One of them featured in the 1969 James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
film On Her Majesty's Secret Service
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (film)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service is the sixth spy film in the James Bond series, based on the 1963 novel of the same name by Ian Fleming. Following the decision of Sean Connery to retire from the role after You Only Live Twice, Eon Productions selected an unknown actor and model, George Lazenby...
.