Aston Martin have revealed the new Aston Martin DB12 in the flesh, at two events around the world. The global launch in Cannes, France was attended by Formula 1 stars and Supermodels. An ideal crowd for what Aston Martin is calling the World’s first Super Tourer.
But as the red carpet was being rolled out in France, a DB12, the first in the Southern Hemisphere was being prepared for a remote reveal in Auckland. Testament, says Aston Martin’s Country Manager ANZ, to the loyal fanbase the brand has in New Zealand.
“2023 celebrates 30 years of the Aston Martin brand being represented exclusively in New Zealand by the Giltrap Group and we are very proud of the New Zealand market’s performance. It felt right to do something special for those customers in New Zealand.”
And the DB12 is quite special.
The Super Tourer reference confirms it’s taken the DB11’s distinct Grand Tourer characteristic and amplified. It’s stiffer, more powerful, faster and significantly more muscular – masculine, even – in comparison to the DB11’s elegance.
The car has a powerful presence especially looking front-on, there’s a wider stance and the Aston grille is much more prominent, reminiscent of the DBS Superleggera. It’s still a thing of beauty, the graceful roof line and rear of the vehicle contrast the beefier front view. The headlights feature the LED ‘Lollypop’ parking lamps, a styling cue taken from cars like the brand’s show-stopping Valhalla and Valkyrie.
Driver centricity – Purer, intuitive technology that puts you in control
In fact it’s a decidedly more technological car all round and that’s certainly embodied by the interior, which tastefully combines clean, contemporary design with classic craftsmanship and the finest materials.
The DB12’s interior provides a stylish and sumptuous haven for driver and passengers alike. The design character focuses on a driver centric cockpit, seamlessly integrating everyday technologies with luxury craftmanship and materials.
Craftmanship remains at the core of all Aston Martins. Swathed in aromatic, hand-stitched Bridge of Weir hides, this cosseting space embodies true Super Tourer values; soothing comfort to excel at all-day, big mileage journeys, yet still provides the support and connection needed to deliver maximum driving enjoyment.
A major shift in driver centricity is Aston Martin’s next-generation infotainment.
The new system boasts a fully integrated multi-screen system and displayed using 10.25 inch Pure Black, high resolution screens with ultra-responsive capacitive touch control. Understanding the need for balance between touchscreen commands and the positive tactility of physical switches, DB12 retains buttons for the key mechanical operations of gear selection, drive selection, heating and ventilation offering the perfect blend of digital and analogue controls. There are also override switches for chassis, ESP and exhaust, Lane Assist and Park Distance Control, ensuring the most used controls are always conveniently to hand.
Cornerstones of the DB12’s new infotainment system are online connectivity and an all-new companion Aston Martin App. Two firsts for the brand, DB12 owners will be able to communicate, interact and engage with their car.
Online connectivity will assist the ownership experience through increased ease of use and peace of mind, offering Over The Air (OTA) updates and diagnostics. An ever-expanding system, Aston Martin’s connected car offering will continue to evolve as products, services and support for vehicles evolves.
Power and performance to match the styling
Aston Martin’s engineers have ensured the DB12’s performance matches the aggressive looks. 0-100km/h is now 3.6 seconds and the car has a 325km/h top speed. The hand-built engine, tuned by Aston Martin engineers delivers impressive 680 metric horsepower/671bhp at 6000rpm and 800Nm between 2750-6000rpm. An increase of 34% compared with the outgoing DB11.
Handling and dynamics – the sharpest DB ever
Power is fed through an 8-speed automatic transmission and for the first time on an Aston Martin DB model, Electronic Rear Differential (E-Diff). This differential is linked to the car’s Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system. Unlike a conventional Limited Slip Differential, it can go from fully open to 100% locked in a matter of milliseconds, giving the driver maximum response for more precise and consistent handling.
Working in harmony with the latest generation ESC system the E-Diff significantly improves the car’s cornering capabilities in all conditions. In low to medium speed corners, the DB12 feels brilliantly agile and responsive, coming alive on challenging roads thanks to immense front-end grip and tremendous traction. Meanwhile, total composure in high-speed corners lends the DB12 to a great feeling of confidence and control.
DB12’s bonded aluminum structure has seen a 7% increase in global tortional stiffness thanks to changes to a range of underbody components; the engine cross brace; front and rear undertrays; front crossmember and rear bulkhead.
The combined effect is a focused improvement in tortional rigidity and lateral stiffness – especially between the front and rear strut towers – which provides a stronger and more stable attachment points for the dampers and rear axle. This brings gains in suspension performance, isolation and refinement, along with improvements in on and off-centre steering feel and overall sense of driver connection.
Ensuring it has the stopping power to match its pace, DB12 is fitted as standard with cast-iron 400mm front discs and 360mm rear discs with grooved and drilled faces for improved thermal capacity. The brake booster has also been re-tuned to improve pedal feedback, giving the driver greater confidence thanks to a firm pedal with an immediate sense of stopping power combined with progressive response.
Underlining its Super Tourer credentials, DB12 can be ordered with a Carbon Ceramic
Brake (CCB) option. Offering increased braking performance and reduced brake fade at
temperatures of up to 800°C, fitting CCB saves 27kg in unsprung mass compared to the
standard braking system, which in turn benefits ride quality and steering response.
NZ pricing will be announced in coming days and first deliveries are expected later this year
