As TheDetroitBureau.com reported last week, Aston Martin revealed the next chapter in the 75-year DB story Wednesday with the unveiling of the DB12. Its design will look familiar, its lines the same ones Aston Martin has used for decades. But detail changes and significant engineering changes are the bigger news here.
Notably, the 2024 Aston Martin is the first Aston Martin DB to lack a V-12 in more than a quarter century. Instead, power will come from a twin-turbocharged V-8 rated at 671 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque.
But check those numbers again; the DB11 V-12’s generated 630 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, 34% less than the DB12’s twin-turbo V-8. And speaking of its twin-turbo V-8, in the DB11, it displaced 4 liters and produced a mere 528 hp and 513 lb-ft of torque.
While a twin-turbo V-8 doesn’t have the romance of a V-12, Aston Martin’s 8-cylinder history is longer than that of its V-12, and this one certainly has the performance as the new DB12 has a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds and a 202-mph top speed, according to Aston Martin. The automaker achieved the increased output by modifying its cam profiles, optimizing compression ratios, fitting larger diameter turbochargers and increasing cooling.
And of course there are four self-explanatory driving modes: GT, Sport and Sport+, Wet and Individual.
More than a new engine
All that power is fed through an 8-speed automatic transmission and an Electronic Rear Differential linked to an Electronic Stability Control system. The E-Diff is a first on an any Aston Martin and, in milliseconds, can go from fully open to 100% locked. The company says this greatly improves its cornering capability, not that it was so shabby before.
“We have pushed every aspect of this car to be best-in-class,” Roberto Fedeli, Group chief technology oOfficer of Aston Martin. “The result is more power and performance than its rivals. Combined with exceptional handling and an exciting soundtrack, it is a car with passion and a truly sporting character.”
To achieve those goals, the automaker stiffened the DB12’s aluminum chassis by 7% compared to the DB11 by changing the engine cross brace, front and rear undertrays, front crossmember and rear bulkhead. This led to gains in suspension performance, isolation, and refinement.
But the car does use electric power steering, although the company claims it has a natural responsiveness. We’ll have to wait and see.
Fancy footwear
Given its performance, it’s no surprise that its brakes are fitted with 15.7-inch front discs and 14.1-inch rear discs with grooved and drilled faces for improved thermal capacity. Engineers also tinkered with the brake booster to improve pedal feedback. Carbon ceramic brakes are an option, and improve performance while reducing brake fade.
Not surprisingly, the DB12 wears bespoke footwear, but what else would expect? It’s shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tires; 275/35 R21 103Ys up front and 315/30 R21 108Ys in the rear. They are made from a customized compound and have been tuned by Aston Martin to contain a noise-cancelling polyurethane foam insert to reduce tire noise. Their sidewalls are even marked AML, so these are far from off-the-shelf specials.
They are fitted to lightweight forged alloy wheels that are offered in five-spoke, multi-spoke and Y-spoke designs that are 17.6 pounds lighter than last year’s 20-inchers.
Updated duds
The company describes the new vehicle as “the world’s first Super Tourer,” designers went for a more muscular appearance, with an increased track both front and rear. It’s subtle, but the car’s look is a bit more finely honed, with a sharper shoulder and more contemporary lighting, wearing fresh LED lighting beneath the redesigned Aston Martin badge. Even the side mirrors have been reworked. They’re smaller and are more aerodynamically efficient.
But the overall update is evolutionary, not revolutionary. That’s very much in the Aston Martin tradition.
Inside, you’ll find an indulgent opulence that’s offered in few sports cars, lined in hand-stitched Bridge of Weir leather and a tall center console that accentuates Aston Martin’s new infotainment system, designed and developed by Aston Martin — the brand’s first — on a 10.25-inch high-definition capacitive touchscreen.
It supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but wisely leaves transmission, drive mode and HVAC functions to switchgear. The navigation system features 3D rendering and online connectivity. The whole system offers Over-The-Air updates and diagnostics. And it can be fitted with optional Bowers & Wilkins surround system.
“When a brand has as much history as Aston Martin it is important to honor the past. Not by looking back, but by pushing on with the same energy and passion that propelled our founders 110-years ago,” said Amedeo Felisa, chief executive officer of Aston Martin. “With the new DB12 we are reinvigorating the DB model line and reasserting Aston Martin as a maker of truly exceptional performance sport cars.”