An Aston Martin is always an Aston Martin and always attracts obvious attention, this time the luxury car brand presented the successor to the Aston Martin DB11 its new DB12 during an event at the Cannes International Film Festival on the 24th of May. It was presented with pomp and circumstance as the world's first Super Tourer, (as opposed to a DB11 Grand Tourer). "The DB12 has 80% new components compared to the previous DB11," said a company spokesperson. The Aston Martin DB12 maintains the shapely proportions but starts a new design line, offering more technological features and a much more powerful twin-turbo V8.
Designers gave the front end a larger grille, new look lights and a redesigned divider. The front and rear stripes were widened to give the coupe a more muscular stance and appearance. The taillights have a new lighting signature and the frameless side mirrors are smaller. The DB12 debuts the brand's redesigned winged logo which all future Aston Martin models will use.
Its interior was given the same attention and new changes also appear. The driver-centric space is cleaner and more comfortable than before. But the big news is a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system developed in-house, which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The cabin is covered in Alcantara leather, but owners will be able to further customize the space to their liking. The DB12 is not 100% digital, the driver has a digital instrument cluster available, but buttons on the sloping center console give passengers access to many important functions, including the climate control system and sound system volume. One surprising addition is the shifter that replaces the DB11's shift knobs which should make maneuvering more straightforward.
The DB12 has a newly developed suspension with firmer anti-roll bars and Aston's latest adaptive dampers. The wheels are 21-inches shod with specially developed Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 summer tires, 275/35R-21 at the front and 315/30R-21 at the rear. The DB12's front ones are steered by an updated power steering system. The rear wheels turn via a carbon fiber driveshaft and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Power comes from the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine for 671 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 590 pound-feet of torque from 2,750 to 6,000 rpm. Aston says the DB12 will hit 60mph in 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 202mph. Enthusiasts will have five driving modes to choose from called; wet, GT, sport, sport plus and individual, respectively.
The first deliveries of this Super Tourer DB12 are planned to start at the end of 2023. Prices will be announced at a later date and the final price will depend on what buyers tick off the options list, with the sky being the limit. But it can be predicted to start at $245,000, which is about $40,000 more than the V-8 DB11.
