DBS

FLAGSHIP of the Aston Martin range and successor to the Vanquish, the DBS was touted as a thoroughbred performance machine, with claimed statistics like 0-100km/h acceleration in 4.3 seconds and a 302km/h top speed, the 380kW/570Nm 48-valve 5.9-litre V12-powered DBS (almost 20kW higher than that of the DB9) was right up there with the quickest super cars.

The transmission comprised a rear-mid mounted, six-speed manual gearbox, an alloy torque tube with carbon-fibre propeller shaft, limited-slip differential and a final drive ratio of 3.71:1.

Matching its front mid-mounted hand-built engine was the lightweight aluminium, magnesium alloy and carbon-fibre composite body.

The two-seater rear-drive DBS coupe stood on 20-inch alloy wheels (8.5 inches wide up front, 11.5-inch at rear) with 245/35-section front and 295/30-section rear Pirelli P-Zero rubber and was stopped by carbon-ceramic brakes comprising massive ventilated 398mm/360mm front/rear discs.

Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) displays, a battery conditioner and disconnect switch, a 700-Watt Premium Audio System with Dolby Pro Logic II and MP3 connectivity, and a boot-mounted umbrella were among the comprehensive list of standard equipment.

Options included lightweight, airbagless seats with six-way adjustment, graphite-finish 20-inch wheels, Piano Black facia trim and centre console finish, a leather storage saddle and personalised sill plaques.

In October 2008 a ‘Touchtronic’ torque-converter transmission was made available with paddle-shifts.

June 2009 saw the convertible DBS Volante emerge in Australia, its fabric roof capable of opening or closing in just 14 seconds, with the car in motion at up to 48km/h.

The DBS Volante’s roof system was claimed to be Aston Martin’s quietest and most refined to date, including a new five-piston hydraulic pump cocooned in a noise and vibration enclosure to reduce noise when raising and lowering the hood.

Despite the fact that the convertible weighed about 115kg more, Aston Martin curiously claimed the convertible could match the coupe’s 0-100km/h acceleration time of 4.3 seconds, although top speed was listed as 307km/h, 5km/h shy of the sleeker coupe.