671-horsepower Aston Martin DB12 improves on a winning formula

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Although it still attracts attention, the aston martin db11 has reached the end of its life cycle. His successor, the Aston Martin DB12 maintains the shapely proportions but inaugurates a new design language while offering more technological features and a much more powerful twin-turbo V8.

Marketed as a Super Tourer (as opposed to a Grand Tourer) by the British marque, the DB12 lands as a vastly updated evolution of the DB11. “The DB12 [has] 80% new components compared to outgoing DB11a company spokesperson told me.

Designers gave the front end a larger grille, new-look lights, and a redesigned splitter. They also widened the front and rear tracks to give the coupe a more muscular appearance, and the DB12 inaugurates the subtly redesigned emblem that all future Aston Martin models will carry. The distinctive vents behind the front wheels remain and the visual modifications made to the rear of the car are minor.

Inside, the big news is a new in-house developed touchscreen-based infotainment system. This is significant: many of the brand’s current models use an older Mercedes-Benz-derived infotainment system controlled by a touchpad and dial. The new system is displayed on a 10.25-inch touchscreen and is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Aston Martin notes that this is the first infotainment system it has developed in-house, and it’s more than reasonable to assume that the software will find its way to other cars in the coming years.

And yet the DB12 is not 100% digital. Sure, the driver is in front of a digital instrument cluster, but buttons on the tilted center console give passengers access to many key functions, including the climate control system, sound system volume, and vehicle settings. exhaust. One surprising addition is the gear stick – it replaces the shift buttons found on the DB11 and should make maneuvering easier.

Power comes from a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 to develop 671 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 590 pound-feet of torque from 2,750 to 6,000 rpm. Aston Martin borrowed this engine from Mercedes-AMG; It’s the same basic unit found in cars like the E63, the G63and the dbx, but it has been adjusted internally. It rotates the rear wheels through a carbon fiber shaft drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

This is a big increase. For context, the outgoing DB11 uses a version of this eight-cylinder rated at 528 horsepower and 513 pound-feet of torque. Buyers can also select a 5.2-liter V12, which isn’t available in the DB12, which clocks in at 630 and 516, respectively.

Aston Martin cites a 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 202mph. The powertrain layout must ensure that the DB12 handles as well as it accelerates: the engine is mounted front-centre and the gearbox is integrated into the rear axle for better weight distribution. Enthusiasts will have five driving modes called Wet, GT, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual respectively to choose from.

There’s more electronic wizardry hidden under the sheet metal than we’ve come to expect from Aston Martin. Its engineers added a brand-first electronic rear differential for faster cornering, torque vectoring and four ESP modes. Steel brakes come standard, and a carbon ceramic break system which reduces brake fade and unsprung weight by nearly 60 pounds is optional.

Deliveries of the Aston Martin DB12 are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2023. Pricing will be announced at a later date with the final figure depending on how many boxes buyers tick on the option list. It seems that the sky is the limit: customers can pay more for special paint colors (including hues borrowed from the company’s classic models), carbon-fiber exterior trim, and carbon-fiber sport seats.