When it comes to luxury sports cars, few names command as much respect and admiration as the Aston Martin does.
A favoured brand of James Bond, the British automaker enjoys a reputation for producing some of the world’s most iconic and desirable automobiles, and the Aston Martin DBS is no exception.
This detailed review will explore the Aston Martin DBS, including its design, performance, technology and overall driving experience, to understand why it has captivated the hearts of car enthusiasts for decades.
If you are a fan of Aston Martin or simply love nice cars, you are sure to be fascinated by what you’ll read.
A Glimpse into Aston Martin’s Legacy
Before we dive into the specifics of the DBS, it’s worth taking the time to appreciate Aston Martin’s heritage. Founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford, the company has consistently strived for excellence in performance and luxury. Over the years, they’ve crafted cars that excel on the racetrack and exude sophistication and style on the open road.
The DBS lineage dates back to the late 1960s, with the introduction of the original Aston Martin DBS. This car blended elegance with formidable performance. The DBS nameplate was revived and evolved in the following decades, leading to the modern masterpiece we’ll be reviewing in this article.
Exterior Elegance
One glance at the Aston Martin DBS, and it’s immediately clear that this is a car that exudes luxury and sophistication. The design features a harmonious blend of contemporary aesthetics and classic Aston Martin styling cues that manifest in the following ways.
Sculpted Perfection
The DBS boasts a low-slung, wide stance, giving it an athletic, purposeful look. The bodywork is meticulously sculpted, with smooth, flowing lines that draw the eye from the front to the rear. The front fascia is dominated by a massive grille featuring the iconic Aston Martin emblem proudly displayed in the centre. Flanking the grille are sleek, narrow LED headlights that add a touch of modernity to the timeless design.
Moving along the sides, you’ll notice the gracefully curved roofline and the distinctive side strakes, a signature feature of Aston Martin cars. The car’s long, sweeping hood and short rear overhang contribute to its classic GT proportions. The 20-inch alloy wheels, available in various designs, fill the wheel arches perfectly, adding to the DBS’s aggressive stance and sex appeal.
Rear Elegance
The rear of the DBS is equally striking, with a sleek and minimalistic design. The slim LED taillights wrap around the rear fenders, emphasising the car’s width. Just below, a subtle diffuser and quad exhaust outlets hint at the car’s performance potential. The design is completed by a retractable spoiler that deploys at higher speeds to enhance stability and downforce, retracting back into the bodywork when not needed.
Aston Martin offers a wide range of customizations for the DBS, allowing buyers to tailor the exterior to their preferences. From an extensive colour palette to unique wheel designs, the possibilities for personalisation are nearly endless.
Craftsmanship Beyond Compare
Stepping inside takes you to a world of handcrafted luxury. The cabin notably reflects Aston Martin’s commitment to using the finest materials and exquisite craftsmanship.
Premium Materials
Every surface in the DBS’s cabin is covered in premium materials, from the hand-stitched leather upholstery to the plush Alcantara headliner. The seats, available in various styles, offer exceptional comfort and support, making long journeys a pleasure.
Overall, the attention to detail is remarkable, with even the smallest components finished to the highest standards.
Innovative Technology
While the DBS is steeped in tradition, it also embraces cutting-edge technology.
This is represented in an infotainment system, comprising a 12-inch touchscreen display that provides access to navigation, entertainment and connectivity features. The interface is user-friendly and responsive, ensuring drivers can easily access the necessary information.
Aston Martin has also integrated a 360-degree camera system to aid with parking and low-speed manoeuvring, a valuable addition for a calibre car. The audio system, developed in collaboration with renowned British audio company Bang & Olufsen, delivers crystal-clear sound quality, further enhancing the driving experience.
Practicality in a Supercar
While the DBS is undoubtedly a high-performance sports car, it doesn’t sacrifice practicality entirely. The cabin offers a reasonable amount of storage space for a vehicle of this class, including a decent-sized trunk that can accommodate a weekend’s worth of luggage.
It’s a notable tip of the hat to Aston Martin’s ability to blend performance and usability in the make-up of their vehicles.
Heart of a Lion: Performance and Power
The heart of any Aston Martin is its engine, and the DBS doesn’t disappoint. Under that long, sculpted hood lies a hand-assembled masterpiece – a 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine.
Thrilling Power Output
This V12 powerplant is capable of producing a staggering 715 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. It’s a marvel of engineering that propels the DBS from 0 to 60 miles per hour in a nifty 3.4 seconds, making it one of the quickest cars in its class.
The top speed is equally impressive, with the DBS capable of reaching a mind-boggling 211 miles per hour.
Subsequently, it’s fair to say that Aston Martin’s commitment to craftsmanship extends to the engine, which is not only powerful but also beautifully designed, featuring intricate details that speak to the brand’s heritage.
Transmission and Drivetrain
Power is sent to the rear wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission, which delivers smooth and lightning-fast gear changes.
Additionally, the DBS features a limited-slip differential and adaptive damping suspension, allowing drivers to fine-tune the car’s handling characteristics to suit their preferences while on the road.
Impressively, all these components work together in harmony to provide a dynamic and engaging driving experience.
Driving Modes
The DBS offers multiple driving modes, including GT, Sport and Sport+ modes, allowing drivers to tailor the car’s behaviour to their liking.
In GT mode, the DBS delivers a more relaxed and comfortable ride, making it suitable for long-distance cruising. Switch to Sport or Sport+ mode and the car transforms into a high-performance beast, with sharper throttle response, more aggressive gear shifts and a more dynamic suspension setup. This is when it becomes really fun to drive!
Breathtaking Soundtrack
One of the most memorable aspects of driving the Aston Martin DBS is the symphony produced by the V12 engine. The exhaust note is a rich, melodious sound that can be both exhilarating and addictive.
It’s a reminder that driving isn’t just about speed; it’s also about the sensory experience – and the DBS delivers on all fronts.
Handling and Dynamics
While the DBS offers blistering straight-line performance, it’s equally impressive in the corners. Aston Martin has paid meticulous attention to the car’s chassis, suspension and aerodynamics to ensure it’s not just a straight-line missile but also a true driver’s car.
Chassis and Suspension
The DBS rides on an aluminium chassis that’s not only lightweight but also incredibly stiff. This stiffness is crucial for maintaining precise control and handling while on the road – especially at high speeds.
The suspension system is equally impressive, featuring adaptive dampers that constantly adjust to road conditions and driving style. This means that regardless of whether you’re navigating a twisty mountain pass or cruising on the highway, the DBS delivers a comfortable and composed ride.
Aerodynamics
Aerodynamics play a significant role in the DBS’s performance. Overall, the car’s bodywork has been carefully sculpted to minimise drag and maximise downforce.
The active aerodynamics system includes a front splitter, rear diffuser and the aforementioned retractable spoiler, all of which work together to enhance stability at high speeds. The result is a car that feels planted and confident, even when pushing the limits.
Steering and Braking
The steering in the DBS is precise and responsive, providing excellent feedback to the driver. This makes it a key component in making the car feel connected to the road.
The brakes, equipped with carbon-ceramic discs, offer immense stopping power and consistent performance, ensuring drivers can slow down from high speeds with confidence – whatever the conditions on the road.
Balance and Control
What truly sets the Aston Martin DBS apart from its rivals is its balance and control. It’s a car that encourages you to push it to its limits while remaining forgiving and approachable.
The rear-wheel-drive setup, combined with the well-tuned chassis, allows for controlled drifts and power slides when you want to have some fun. But the car’s electronic aids are there to step in and keep you safe should you push too far.
This balance is what separates a great sports car from a legendary one, and the DBS falls firmly into the latter category.
Everyday Usability and Comfort
While the Aston Martin DBS is undoubtedly a high-performance sports car, it manages to strike a balance between performance and everyday usability. Unlike some other supercars that can be punishing on the road, the DBS remains surprisingly comfortable and accommodating.
Ride Comfort
The adaptive suspension system provides a smooth and compliant ride, even on rough roads.
In GT mode, it becomes even more forgiving, making it suitable for long journeys. The seats, while supportive during spirited driving, are also comfortable for extended periods behind the wheel.
Visibility and Practicality
One of the common challenges with sports cars is compromised visibility, but Aston Martin has done an admirable job in this regard.
The DBS offers decent forward visibility and the inclusion of parking aids, including a 360-degree camera system, makes parking and low-speed manoeuvring easier.
As mentioned earlier, the DBS also boasts a reasonably sized trunk for a car of its class, offering enough space for a weekend’s worth of luggage.
Subsequently, this practicality makes the DBS a versatile choice for those who want both performance and usability.
Safety and Driver Assistance
In high-performance sports cars, safety and driver assistance features are sometimes considered secondary considerations. However, the Aston Martin DBS incorporates several modern technologies to enhance overall driver confidence and safety while out on the road.
Among them are adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning. These technologies provide an extra layer of safety when driving in hazardous conditions.
In terms of passive safety, the DBS features multiple airbags to protect occupants in the event of a collision. Furthermore, the car’s rigid aluminium chassis also plays a vital role in absorbing and distributing impact forces, contributing to overall safety.
Conclusion
Overall, the Aston Martin DBS is a true masterpiece of automotive engineering and design.
It combines the rich heritage of the Aston Martin brand with cutting-edge technology, resulting in a car that delivers an unrivalled driving experience for those lucky enough to get behind the wheel of one.
