Saturday, August 2, 2008

The Aston Martin DBS


Truly great luxury sports cars are few and far between. In a world where innovation is all too often hampered by compromise, pure performance is a rarity available only to the genuinely discerning. Designed as the ultimate driving experience, the Aston Martin DBS bridges the gap between road and track – DB9 and DBR9. Equally at home on a twisting mountain circuit as on the open road, the DBS is a true thoroughbred.

The Aston Martin DBS is a 6.0-litre V12 powered, race-bred, two-seater shaped by the aerodynamic demands of high performance, with an exquisite interior that marries beautifully hand-finished materials with the very latest in performance technology. A combination of elegant design, innovative manufacturing processes, race-derived materials and components and Aston Martin’s unrivalled hand-build expertise makes the DBS a luxury sports car without equal.


Aston Martin DBS

Power, Beauty & Soul Aston Martin DBS


Outstanding power with supreme control: the DBS represents the synthesis of raw power, race-bred technology and design excellence. Powered by a hand-built V12 engine producing 380 kW (510 bhp/517 PS), the DBS delivers breathtaking power and performance. Beneath the flowing lines of the lightweight bodywork, the DBS’s components have been honed to create an exhilarating driving experience: taut, dynamic and monumentally fast, but always highly controlled.

The DBS of Aston Martin




The DBS was developed as the ultimate expression of Aston Martin’s engineering and technical ability. The need for high-performance stability, handling ability and low kerb weight defined the car’s form and construction. The DBS is the first production Aston Martin to make extensive use of ultra-light carbon-fibre body panels. Its high level of performance is delivered by the combination of inherent light weight, near-perfect weight distribution, a supremely powerful and flexible V12 engine, and a performance-honed six speed transmission.

The 6.0-litre V12 engine is the heart of the DBS. The DBR9 and DBRS9 race cars are powered by an enhanced version of this same V12, tuned to produce in excess of 600 bhp. The shared powerplant continues the strong link between Aston Martin’s road and race cars, just as the six-cylinder powerplant used in the DBR1 also powered the DB4, DB5 and DB6 in the 1950s and 60s.

Control Aston Martin DBS


A true sports car has to be light and well balanced. A lightweight, rigid structure is the design engineer’s ultimate goal, and achieving the right balance between strength and mass is crucial. Like the DB9 and its sibling DBR9 and DBRS9 race cars, the DBS uses Aston Martin’s class-leading all-alloy VH (Vertical Horizontal) architecture, a lightweight bonded aluminium structure that provides outstanding strength and rigidity.

This structure means that weight is kept to a minimum, with the front-mid mounted engine and rear-mid mounted transaxle ensuring a near perfect weight distribution: 85% of the car’s weight is positioned within its wheelbase. The DBS’s polar moment of inertia is therefore very low, producing a car with natural agility, a strong, stable platform for the V12’s high power output and an exhilarating driving experience.

Design Aston Martin DBS


The unmistakable form of an Aston Martin, with flowing curves, complex surfaces and an unrivalled sculptural beauty; the DBS is every inch a classic Aston Martin, from the hand-finished grille to the carbon-fibre rear diffuser. The aerodynamic excellence of the bodywork is unsullied by superflous spoilers or wings, allowing the lines to run cleanly from bonnet to boot lid.

The design of the DBS conveys the car's enormous potential, with a seductive flow that incorporates aggressive detailing and powerful stance. Like a well toned athlete in a figure-hugging suit, the bodywork of the DBS is a tight wrapping on the muscle that lies beneath, expressed in the taut lines and heavily sculpted flanks.

Specification Aston Martin DBS


Body

Two-door coupe body style with 2+0 seating
Bonded aluminium VH structure
Aluminium, magnesium alloy and carbon fibre composite body
Extruded aluminium door side-impact beams
High Intensity Discharge headlamps (dipped beam)
Halogen projector headlamps (main beam)
LED rear lamps and side repeaters

Engine

All alloy quad overhead cam 48 valve 5935cc V12
Compression ratio 10.9:1
Front mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valves

Transmission

Rear mid-mounted six-speed manual gearbox
Alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft
Limited-slip differential
Final drive ratio: 3.71:1

Steering


Rack and pinion, Servotronic speed-sensitive power-assisted steering, 3.0 turns lock to lock
Column tilt and reach adjustment

Wheels and Tyres

Front: 8.5’’ x 20’’ Pirelli P Zero 245/35
Rear: 11’’ x 20’’ Pirelli P Zero 295/30

Suspension

Adaptive Damping System (ADS) with Track mode
Front: Independent double wishbones incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
Rear: Independent double wishbones with anti-squat and anti-lift geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers

Brakes

Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Track mode
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Traction Control
Front: Ventilated carbon ceramic discs, 398mm diameter with six-piston calipers
Rear: Ventilated carbon ceramic discs, 360mm diameter with four-piston calipers

Interior

Semi-aniline leather and Alcantara interior
Matrix alloy facia trim and Iridium Silver centre console finish
Carbon fibre door trims and door pulls
Auto-dimming rear-view mirror with garage door opener (USA & Canada only)
Sports seats with 10-way electrical adjustment, including height, tilt and lumbar adjustment
Memory seats & exterior mirrors (three positions)
Dual-stage driver/passenger front airbags
Side airbags (sports seats only)
Heated seats (sports seats only)
Heated rear screen
Automatic temperature control
Organic electroluminescent (OEL) displays
Trip computer
LED map lights
Cruise control
Hard Disk Drive (HDD) satellite navigation system*1,2
Bluetooth® telephone preparation*1
Powerfold exterior mirrors
Front and rear parking sensors
Tyre pressure monitoring system*1
Alarm and immobiliser
Remote-control central door locking and boot release
Umbrella and holder
Battery Disconnect Switch (BDS)
Battery conditioner
Tracking device (UK only)*3
Boot-mounted umbrella

In-Car Entertainment

Aston Martin 700W Premium Audio System with Dolby® Pro Logic II®, includes a six-CD autochanger Integrated Apple iPod® connector*4
USB connector with Waveform Audio Format (WAF), Windows Media Player (WMA) and MPEG (MP3) audio file compatibility
3.5mm auxiliary socket

Options

20’’ alloy wheels with graphite finish. Satellite radio system (USA only)
Piano Black facia trim and centre console finish
Leather storage saddle
Personalised sill plaques
Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror*1
Auto dimming interior rear view mirror with garage door opener (Europe only)
Alarm upgrade (volumetric & tilt sensors)
Tracking device*1/3
First aid kit
Ashtray and cigar lighter

Dimensions
Length: 4721mm (185.9’’)
Wheelbase: 2740mm (107.9’’)
Width: 1905mm (75’’) exc. Mirrors 2060mm (81.1’’) inc. Mirrors
Fuel Tank Capacity: 78 litres (17.2 Imp gall, 20.5 US gall)
Height: 1280mm (50.4’’)
Weight: 1695kg (3737 lb)

Performance
Max speed: 191mph (307km/h)
Max power: 380kW (510bhp/517 PS) @ 6500 rpm
Acceleration: 0-100km/h (62mph) 4.3 seconds
Max torque: 570 Nm (420 lb.ft) @ 5750 rpm

iPod Integration Aston Martin DBS


The DBS features a complete integration package for iPod personal digital media players from Apple, allowing the iPod to be seamlessly incorporated into the dashboard display and electronic systems. The DBS is Aston Martin’s flagship V12 model, a performance grand tourer developed from race-bred technology, innovative new materials and Aston Martin’s legendary design skills and attention to detail.

The iPod range is integrated into the DBS via a specially designed interface, bringing the functions of this award-winning range of digital media players into the car's in-dash display. Finger-tip controls replicate the innovative menu structure of the iPod to ensure that your hands need never stray from the wheel in the search for the perfect accompaniment.

Build your Aston Martin DBS



Welcome to the Aston Martin Configurator

The Aston Martin Car Configurator lets you select and design your DBS just the way you want it. You can then view your perfect car in 3D.

To start, please click here.