Aston Martin DBS V12

The V12 from Aston Martin has always been one of my dream cars. It impresses with it's look: agile and classy but also with it's specifications.

The DBS was seen in the 2006 James Bond 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.

There's a new seven-speed automated "Sportshift II" transmission, which is lighter and more compact than the six-speed manual gearbox in the previous V12 Vantage and provides 20 per cent quicker shifts than the automated 'box in the V8 Vantage.

On paper this all sounds great; in practice the V12 sounds spectacular. Not as lairy as a Ferrari 458's V8, but there's an ever-present, deep-throated hum that rises to a (loud) cultured bellow at high revs.
Inevitably, the engine's character is quite different to that of the six-, eight- or even 10-cylinder units in its rivals: you don't get the twin-turbo thump of a Porsche 911 Turbo, and you don't need to send it screaming to 9,000rpm to get peak power, as you do with a Ferrari 458. Instead, there's a swift, steady increase in pace as you push the pedal to the floor.

Once you get used to the single-clutch transmission's quirks, that is. Leave it in full auto mode or keep your foot in and shifts are rather jerky; take control using the steering column-mounted paddles - and lift off slightly before you change up - and things are much smoother.



Specifications:

• Engine: 5,935 cc 48-valve V12
• Transmission: 6-Speed Manual (optional 6-Speed Automatic)
• Drivetrain: RWD (Rear Wheel Drive)
• 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)
• Horsepower: 510 hp (380 kW; 517 PS) at 6500 rpm
• Torque: 420 lb·ft (569 N·m) at 5750 rpm
• Wheelbase: 107.9 in (2,741 mm)
• Length: 185.9 in (4,722 mm)
• Width: 75.0 in (1,905 mm)
• Height: 50.4 in (1,280 mm)