Aston Martin DB12 Revealed - Bond's New Car Has A German Heart

British sportscar manufacturer Aston Martin has revealed the all-new DB12. The Aston Martin DB12 is the latest grand tourer from the British firm’s DB lineup and the replacement for the DB11 that arrived back in 2016.

When viewed on paper, the Aston Martin DB12’s spec sheet is a big upgrade over the DB11. In fact, Aston Martin states that the performance leap is so big that the DB12 is the world’s first super tourer.

So what exactly has changed under the updated bodyshell of the new Aston Martin DB12? Well for one, you only get AMG’s 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 engine under the bonnet with Aston’s own 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 missing in action.

However, the German powerplant has been thoroughly reworked so that it now produces 671bhp at 6,000rpm and 800Nm of peak torque between 2,750rpm and 6,000rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

The new V8-powered Aston Martin DB12 produces 168bhp more than the DB11 that sported the same engine. In fact, the new DB12 produces 71bhp more than the DB11 powered by the firm’s own V12 and 41bhp more than the AMR version that replaced it. The new DB12 is also around 87 kilos lighter than its predecessor.

So what has all that extra power and weight loss done to the performance? Well, Aston Martin claims that the all-new DB12 will sprint from 0-1000km/h in just 3.6 seconds which is half a second quicker than the DB11. The DB12’s top speed is 325km/h.

So what are the other mechanical upgrades? Well, Aston Martin has fitted the new DB12 with an electronic rear differential which can go from fully open to 100 per cent locked in a matter of milliseconds allowing more control for the driver.

The new Aston Martin DB12 rides on 21-inch forged alloy wheels that are shod with a bespoke set of Michelin’s new Pilot Sport 5 tyres. These AML-coded Michelin tyres measure 275/35 at the front and 315/30 at the rear.

Braking duties on Aston Martin DB12 super tourer are handled by 400mm discs at the front and 380mm at the rear. As standard, the DB12 comes fitted with cast-iron brake discs, though these can be upgraded to optional carbon-ceramic units which help save 27 kilogrammes in unsprung mass.

In terms of design, the new Aston Martin DB12 looks to be an aggressive evolution over the enchanting DB11 which is in line with the performance upgrade.

At the front, there is a larger grille along reshaped headlights that feature Matrix LED lighting along with a new DRL light signature. The new DB12 sport a more muscular stance than its predecessor thanks to the wider tracks and it rides on larger alloy wheels.

However, it is when you step inside that the changes get even more drastic in terms of upgrades. Aston Martin has ditched its old Mercedes-sourced infotainment unit for one developed in-house.

The new unit measures 10.25 inches across and incorporates wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay along with its own navigation software. The new infotainment screen also allows owners to get OTA updates for their new DB12.

The high centre console divides the cabin and features an array of buttons for all the functions of the DB12’s major functions like driving modes, gear selection, chassis setup, switchable exhaust and the HVAC system.

The interiors are draped in leather and there is quite a bit of carbon fibre on display as well. The DB12 comes with an 11-speaker system as standard but owners will be able to choose the optional Bowers & Wilkins 15-speaker, 1,170-watt surround sound system.

Thoughts About The Aston Martin DB12

The Aston Martin DB12 marks the start of a new era for the British firm under the ownership of Lawrence Stroll. The DB12 sees Aston Martin push the boundaries once again when it comes to grand tourers. The new Aston Martin DB12 looks ready for a certain British spy to take it on an adventure and now we just have to wait for a new Bond to be chosen…

Thoughts About The Aston Martin DB12

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