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What Is It?
Even though many car companies are showcasing new electric vehicles and shunning the internal combustion engine, some brands still embrace the time-honored V8. To many auto enthusiasts, a powerful V8 can create unmatched emotional experience, further enhanced when that V8 is in an elegant machine such as an Aston Martin. Now both engine and machine have been elevated to a new level with the latest grand tourer — or Super Tourer as the company calls it — the all-new 2024 Aston Martin DB12.
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The DBs
Aston Martin celebrates its 110th anniversary this year, although the year was 1947 when Sir David Brown purchased the company and the new owner’s initials adorned Aston Martin’s first postwar sports car, the DB2. Sold between 1950 and 1953, the DB2 launched a series of namesake cars that would become the brand’s mainstay over its long history of special grand touring automobiles, ultimately arriving at the DB12.
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Best in Class
“DB12 is a statement car. One that asserts Aston Martin’s position as a leader in performance, dynamics, engineering and technology,” said Aston Martin Group Chief Technology Officer Roberto Fedeli. “We have pushed every aspect of this car to be best-in-class. The result is more power and performance than its rivals. Combined with exceptional handling and an exciting soundtrack, it is a car with passion and a truly sporting character,” enthused Fedeli.
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V8 Power
Under the long hood of the 2024 Aston Martin DB12 resides a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine producing 671 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. That energy gets sent to the rear wheels via a carbon fiber prop shaft connected to a rear-mounted 8-speed automatic transmission. With a considerable bump up in horsepower and torque versus the outgoing DB11, the DB12 will sprint to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 202 mph.
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Handling
A grand touring — or GT — car is often powerful yet large and heavy, geared more for high-speed cruising rather than adroit maneuvering, although the 2024 Aston Martin DB12 has been designed to do more than cruise. Built on a bonded aluminum chassis that boasts a 7 percent increase in torsional stiffness than the previous generation, the DB12 gets new intelligent adaptive dampers with stiffer roll bars. The DB12 is the first DB car to get an electronic rear differential, which works with the Aston’s electronic stability control to provide more consistent handling, greatly improved cornering in all weather conditions, and a more comfortable ride when cruising in GT mode.
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Powerful Brakes
Ensuring that braking power is up to the task of slowing this powerful Aston Martin, the DB12 is fitted with grooved and drilled cast-iron disc brakes measuring 400 mm in front and 360 mm in the rear. The DB12 can optionally be fitted with Carbon Ceramic Brakes, which offer increased braking performance with reduced fade at higher temperatures. The CCB option also lowers the car’s unsprung weight by almost 60 pounds.
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Tires
With the new DB12, Aston Martin will be the first manufacturer to use Michelin’s new Pilot Sport 5s tires. However, these tires feature a custom compound tuned by the Aston Martin dynamics team for the utmost performance in dry and wet conditions. Tires also feature polyurethane foam inserts that reduce road noise for a more enjoyable ride. These special tires get fitted to 21-inch forged alloy wheels offered in three designs and multiple color options.
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Muscular Stance
The 2024 DB12 is still easily recognizable as an Aston Martin, although the new model sports a wider track and a larger, reshaped grille for a more aggressive look. New LED headlights with stylish signature daytime running lights sweep back over the fenders, and the DB12 is the first Aston to wear the latest version of the Aston Martin wings badge. Overall, the body has been sculpted with a more muscular look, reflecting the powerful V8 under the hood.
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Inner Space
As expected from an Aston Martin, the DB12 features a cockpit trimmed with hand-stitched Bridge of Weir hides with stylish quilting on the seats. With a 2+2 seating layout, the DB12 is designed to ensconce its passengers in the utmost comfort while maintaining a performance atmosphere.
Infotainment
The 2024 Aston Martin DB12 introduces a next-generation infotainment system, which was designed and developed in-house. The fully integrated system uses a 10.25-inch high-resolution touchscreen with a quick response time. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also included.
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Bespoke Audio
While the Aston V8 provides the ultimate soundtrack to the DB12, the new coupe can be fitted with an optional bespoke audio system from Bowers & Wilkins. This 1,170-watt surround-sound audio system features 15 speakers, dual amplifiers, aluminum double-dome tweeters, and a powerful subwoofer for ultimate audio enjoyment.
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Honoring the Past
“When a brand has as much history as Aston Martin it is important to honor the past,” noted Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer Amedeo Felisa. “Not by looking back, but by pushing on with the same energy and passion that propelled our founders 110 years ago. With the new DB12 we are reinvigorating the DB model line and reasserting Aston Martin as a maker of truly exceptional performance sports cars,” said Felisa.
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