Time for a new flagship
By the mid-2000s, Aston Martin’s flagship model, Vanquish, was becoming a bit dated. It was time to think about what the successor would be. It was also a time of significant change at the company, with a new factory recently brought online at Gaydon, England. This new factory featured modern manufacturing processes, and the ability to produce cars in a higher volume than the old factory at Newport Pagnell.
At Gaydon, the entry-level V8 Vantage and mid-range DB9 were already in production. Both of these cars had proven Aston Martin’s investment into the new generation “VH” platform. The successor to Vanquish would be based on this platform.
With the possible exception of its F1-style robotic manual gearbox, Vanquish was well-regarded as the top-end model. It had a unique design that stood apart from other cars in the line. Creating a worthy successor would be a challenge.
The engineers who worked on DB9 had modified a test mule car with a number of upgrades with the intent to build a harder-edged, more aggressive GT car, inspired by the DBR9 racing program. They collaborated with designer Marek Reichman, who provided the look of a car that would suit its new level of performance and engagement.
From left to right: DBR9, DB9, and DBS (image credit: Aston Martin Lagonda, Limited)
The new car would feature lightweight carbon ceramic brakes as standard, a first for an Aston Martin road car. It would also be fitted with a 6-speed manual Graziano transaxle, very similar to the one used in the Lamborghini Murciélago.
The engine would be an evolution of the Aston Martin V12, first featured in the DB7 Vantage, and later in Vanquish and DB9. This new version, designated “AM08,” would be unique to the DBS. It would feature a number of upgrades, including revised cylinder heads, new oil sump, ECU software, and intake manifolds. Power output would be 510 bhp, slightly less than the outgoing Vanquish S model’s 520 bhp thanks in part to new emissions regulations, but with improved power delivery at the upper end of the rev range.
The starting point for the interior design was the DB9, but with a number of improvements. It would feature all-new center stack controls, and the option of a bespoke B&O sound system. Then-CEO Ulrich Bez wanted to add something really unique to the driver experience with this car. He challenged his engineering team to develop a “crystal key,” that would be inserted into a special slot in the center dash, becoming the start button to fire up the angry V12. This later received the controversial marketing name, “Emotion Control Unit,” and eventually replaced more traditional keys on other models until the “Second Century” (post-VH platform) cars were introduced with the launch of DB11, when conventional wireless proximity keys became the standard.
The crystal key, also known as the “Emotion Control Unit” (image credit: author)
In keeping with the goal of improving vehicle dynamics by reducing weight, new seats were developed with semi-aniline leather, carbon fiber door handles were added, and a lightweight carbon weave material was used for the carpets.
The quest to reduce weight continued with the body, where carbon fiber would be used for several key body panels and structural components, including the hood, front fenders, front splitters, door surrounds, side mirrors, rear diffuser, trunk lid and structure.
Test cars were spotted by automotive journalists around the Nürburgring track in Germany, reportedly fitted with fake model badges marking them as “DBRS9.”
The first time the public got a glimpse of this new car was in the 2006 film, “Casino Royale,” staring Daniel Craig as James Bond. The car seen in the film was marked as a “DBS,” a model name not seen since the late 1960s when the revolutionary William Townes successor to the DB6 was introduced.
At the time of the film’s release, very little information about this new DBS was available from Aston Martin. That was in part due to the fact that it was still in development. In fact, the movie cars were modified DB9s, with mostly cosmetic upgrades to represent what they believed the final production DBS would look like. The actual production cars were very similar to the prototypes on the outside, but with significant differences in the interior. Production DBSs were featured in the 2008 film, “Quantum of Solace.”
The DBS, as seen in the motion picture “Casino Royale” (image credit: Danjaq, LLC and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc)
The DBS V12 made its first official public appearance at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August 2007, wearing the Aston Martin wings with black infill, in place of the standard green. On modern Astons, this is used to indicate the top performing model of the range. At the event, Ulrich Bez described it as a “brute in a suit,” combining elegance and sophistication with power and aggression.
The Aston Martin wings badge with black infill, as it appears on the DBS (image credit: author)
It was generally well received by automotive journalists, though some did take exception to Aston Martin’s marketing claims that it was an “all new thoroughbred,” as many believed that it was more evolutionary than revolutionary. Reviewers seemed to like the improved handling, and the return of a manual gearbox. They were less impressed with the styling of the car. Some expressed disappointment that DBS wasn’t a totally new car, like Vanquish had been. Being based on the DB9 design, some (wrongly) assumed that it was simply a DB9 with a body kit. We’ll dig deeper into this in future posts.
An early 2008 model year DBS was displayed at the launch event, held at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance during Monterey Car Week in August 2007. (image credit: Aston Martin Lagonda, Ltd.)
The DBS V12 production run consisted of 5 model years (2008 through 2012), with the bulk of the cars produced being the 2009 model year, as sales fell off during the global economic meltdown at the time. There were a total of 2,536 DBS coupes built, along with 848 convertible “Volante” models, according to Tim Cottingham, the Aston Martin Registrar of cars.
Over a decade and a half later, the DBS has become something of a modern classic. While they have depreciated, they have held their value better than other models of the range. Likely due to its very limited production numbers, and the James Bond association, good condition, low-mileage examples in 2023 were selling in the US at 2 to 3 times the value of similar vintage DB9s.
The DBS is very much at home on winding backroads (image credit: author)
The combination of the more aggressive handling, beautiful styling, and especially the 6-speed manual gearbox paired with a naturally aspirated V12 has made the DBS one of the most desirable modern era Aston Martins.