Aston Martin’s new grand tourer is the DB12, a twin-turbo V8-powered coupe launching in time for the 75th anniversary of the DB line and 110th anniversary of the brand.
Deliveries are set to begin in the third quarter of 2023.
Gone is the DB11’s twin-turbocharged V12 engine, with the DB12’s twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 producing 500kW of power at 6000rpm and 800Nm of torque between 2750 and 6000rpm – up 22kW on the DBS, and up 53kW and 100Nm on the V12 DB11 AMR.
The DB12 has a 0-100km/h time of 3.6 seconds, with a top speed of 325km/h.
The V8 is mated with a retuned eight-speed automatic transmission with a shortened final drive ratio, intended to give it punchier in-gear acceleration.
The DB12 is also fitted with a brand-first electronic rear differential, which can go from 0 to 100 per cent locked in milliseconds.
Aston Martin has achieved the higher outputs through the use of modified cam profiles, optimised compression ratios and larger diameter turbochargers.
Cooling has been improved, with two additional auxiliary coolers added to the main radiator and improved thermal airflow courtesy of a 56 per cent increase in open apertures.
Aston Martin also says it has added a low temperature radiator to the charge cooler water circuit to ensure desired engine intake air temperatures, while also doubling the face area of the auxiliary outboard engine cooler.
There’s an “all-new” suspension system with “the latest adaptive dampers”, which have received a claimed 500 per cent increase in bandwidth of force distribution, while there are four electronic stability program modes and five selectable drive modes: Wet, GT, Sport, Sports Plus and Individual.
The suspension tweaks have been implemented to give the DB12 greater variation in feel between drive modes compared with the DB11.
The DB12’s bonded aluminium structure has seen a seven per cent increase in torsional stiffness, with changes made to the engine cross brace, undertrays, front crossmember and rear bulkhead that are said to improve steering feel and suspension performance, isolation and refinement.
Other changes include tweaked electronic power assisted steering with a 13.09:1 ratio rack and a retuned brake booster for greater pedal feedback.
The DB12 rides on 21-inch forged alloy wheels in new Michelin Pilot Sport 5s tyres and features 400mm front and 360mm rear cast-iron brake discs, with carbon ceramic brakes optional.
Fitting these saves 27kg in unsprung mass, while the new wheels are 8kg lighter than the DB11’s 20-inch wheels.
The DB12 has a more aggressive look than its predecessor, with a 6mm wider front track and 22mm wider rear track, a reshaped radiator and splitter, and new LED headlights.
Aft of the A-pillar, however, the DB12 looks much like the DB11.
There’s a redesigned interior, with the most prominent change being the removal of the old Mercedes-Benz COMAND infotainment system with trackpad for a new system, featuring a touchscreen, that Aston Martin says it developed in-house.
There are dual 10.25-inch screens and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but Aston Martin hasn’t moved all functions to the infotainment system. Physical controls remain for things like drive mode selection and heating and ventilation.
An embedded e-SIM allows the DB12 to download over-the-air updates, while a new Aston Martin app allows owners to remotely lock and unlock their vehicle and send navigation points of interest to it, among other actions.
Connected services are free for the first three years, while an optional Advantage subscription adds greater personalisation plus a stolen vehicle tracker.
The seats are finished in Bridge of Weir quilted leather, while a 15-speaker 1170W Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system is newly available. An 11-speaker 390W system is standard.
Personalisation of the DB12 is available via Aston Martin’s Q service.
“When a brand has as much history as Aston Martin it is important to honour the past. Not by looking back, but by pushing on with the same energy and passion that propelled our founders 110-years ago,” said Aston Martin CEO Amedeo Felisa.
“With the new DB12 we are reinvigorating the DB model line and reasserting Aston Martin as a maker of truly exceptional performance sportcars.”
Aston Martin is overhauling its entire front-engine sports car line-up, with eight launches over the next 24 months.
In addition to replacements for the current Vantage, DB11 and DBS and their Volante convertible variants – bringing the tally to six – Aston Martin hinted at a model that would be “above GT”.
