The press release says this is the first of Aston Martin’s ‘next generation sports cars’, and that it represents a ‘quantum shift’ for the marque. But I know what you’re thinking – isn’t this DB12 just a facelifted DB11? Well perhaps, but we’re talking major reconstructive surgery rather than a lightly re-profiled nose.
Along with the revised looks there is an all-new cabin, completely revised rear suspension and fair old power increase.
But whereas the old DB11 offered both V8 and V12 powertrain options, for now there is no mention of a 12-cylinder variant. Not that the smaller, twin-turbo V8 is in any way underpowered with 671bhp and 590lb ft on tap. The DB12 weighs 1685kg dry and will sprint to 60mph in 3.5 seconds on its way to 202mph. Aston Martin says this is no Grand Tourer but a Super Tourer, the world’s first, no less. You’ll make your own mind up.
The arrival of the DB12 coincides with two significant anniversaries for Aston Martin – 110 years since the marque was founded by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford, and 75 years of the DB bloodline. It’s also the first series production Aston Martin overseen by new engineering chief Roberto Fedeli, who held the same position at Ferrari for eight years, and chief executive officer Amedeo Felisa, who in turn held the same position within Maranello for the better part of a decade.
So maybe this is the dawning of a new era after all, and never mind that Aston Martin seems to have had more than a few of those in recent times. And given Fedeli and Felisa’s Ferrari roots, perhaps it’s no surprise the DB12 employs so much sophisticated chassis technology, like a new e-diff at the rear, ‘intelligent’ adaptive dampers and a state-of-the-art stability control system. The Michelin Pilot Sport 5S tyres are bespoke too.
Incidentally, state-of-the-art is exactly how the new interior tech interface is described, which might raise a chuckle among anybody more familiar with recent Astons and their ancient Mercedes or Volvo sourced infotainment systems. There is no word yet on price, but we’ll find out when we drive the DB12 very soon. Is this the moment Aston Martin really starts knocking lumps out of Ferrari? We can’t wait to find out.
