- V12 performance
- Beautiful proportions
- Exclusivity
- Cramped and dated interior
- Rivals offer sharper dynamics
- High maintenance costs
Overview
Released in June 2008, the Aston Martin DBS was available as a coupe or convertible (Volante). Manufactured in Gaydon, England, the rear-wheel drive DBS was powered by a 5.9-litre V12 petrol engine that was mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Hand built in Köln, Germany, the all-alloy 5935 cc V12 petrol engine had double overhead camshafts (per cylinder bank), four valves per cylinder, Visteon engine management, a compression ratio of 1093:1 and a fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valves. Furthermore, the DBS could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and had a top speed of 302 km/h.
Compared to the AM112 DB9 with which it shared its bonded aluminium ‘VH’ structure, the DBS coupe was 11 mm longer (at 4721 mm), 30 mm wider (1905 mm) and 10 mm taller (1280 mm), though wheelbase length was unchanged (2740 mm); kerb weight was 1695 kg.
The DBS had double wishbone suspension front and rear with Aston Martin’s Adaptive Damping System (ADS) which could automatically select damping settings between five presets according to road conditions and driver behaviour.
| Body | Years | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DBS Coupe | Coupe | 2008-12 | 5.9-litre petrol V12 | 6sp man., 6sp auto |
380 kW at 6500 rpm | 570 Nm at 5750 rpm |
| DBS Volante | Convertible | 2009-12 |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the DBS included dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelt pretensioners; the Volante models also had an automatically deploying pop-up roll bar.
Brakes
The DBS had 398 mm front brake discs with six-piston alloy monobloc calipers and 360 mm rear discs with four-piston alloy monobloc calipers, while all discs were ventilated, drilled and made from carbon ceramic material.
Features
Standard features for the DBS included 20-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli P-Zero tyres, a thirteen speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system with a six-disc CD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod), dual-zone climate control air conditioning, power adjustable and heated front seats, satellite navigation, semi-aniline leather trim, cruise control, bi-xenon headlights with washers, automatic headlights, front and rear parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity, voice recognition, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, power folding mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, driver memory settings (front seat and door mirror positions), tyre pressure monitoring, a trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser; the DBS was also fitted with a limited slip differential.
The Volante’s power-operated soft-roof could be opened or closed in fourteen (14) seconds; the Volante was also supplied with a wind deflector.
Brochures
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