Aston Martin pushes the sports coupe envelope with its DB12 – a 680bhp twin-turbo V8 super tourer that combines luxury, comfort and brutal elegance
The 2023 Aston Martin DB12 succeeds the DB11 by redefining and reinventing what it means to be a tourer. This translates into a 34% improvement in performance and a fancy facelift rather than a complete makeover. With the DB121, Gaydon-based Aston Martin boasts “the world’s first super tourer.” With it, they have created a whole new segment that gives Porsche and Ferrari a run for their money. Their DB12 offers a mix of sportiness, elegance and luxury with a starting price (in Spain) of €260,000.
With vital statistics measuring 4.7 m. long by 1.98 m. wide and 1.29 m. high; the DB12 is unusually large for a car that exceeds 300 km/h. It boasts the iconic Aston Martin large 6-Vane metal grille, C-shaped headlamps, steeply raked windscreen and slim rear end. Its interior has 2+2 seats plus a 262-litre boot which, together with the 78-litre fuel tank, is ample for long journeys and high performance.
It features a refreshed, modern interior that reflects the style and finesse of the exterior. It combines digital and analogue instrumentation with a slimmed-down steering wheel flattened at the bottom. The instrument panel is displayed on one of the two 10.25″ screens, with a bespoke system and interface compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The second screen, on the centre console, is dedicated to all the infotainment functions. Both are integrated into the dashboard, where the starter button and gear selector are located. An exclusive Bowers & Wilkins sound system completes the package.
Under the bonnet lies a Mercedes-AMG 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, which ramps up 680 hp at 6,000 rpm and 800 Nm between 2,750 and 6,000 rpm. Its eight-speed sequential automatic gearbox now boasts a shorter final drive for better sprinting from 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and top speeds of 325 km/h.
Keeping control of such brutal performance are the 400 mm diameter cast iron brakes at the front and 360 mm diameter discs at the rear (optional carbon fibre-reinforced ceramic discs) and a suspension that improves the force distribution bandwidth by 500 %.
