Aston Martin DB12 is the start of a new era

The similarity with what came before is the elephant in the room, especially given Aston’s claims that it ‘heralds a new era’ and is ‘a quantum shift’. So let’s get it out of the way. The looks are, from almost all angles, largely the same save for the new 21-inch wheels. 

There are some noticeable differences at the front, however, which do get across exactly what Aston wants the DB12 to achieve. It is so much more overtly sporty and aggressive than ‘standard’ DB models have been traditionally. 

There’s a jutting splitter, DBS-esque flanking intakes and a monster mouth that contributes to the DB12 gulping over 50 per cent more air than before. It also features a split at the bottom shared with the DBX707. The new lights are similar in shape to the outgoing DB11’s, albeit with completely re-defined insides and a new DRL signature. Topping off the treatment of the nose is the marque's new badge, its largest yet. Aston also says it has a wider stance overall – 22mm at the rear and 6mm at the front – with ‘more muscular surfaces for increased presence’. 

While it's certainly a bit more yoked than the DB11 in terms of stance, we do think a little more could have changed around the back of the car particularly, to bring it into line with the DB12’s more sporty nose. As is, it has the body of a (muscular) dancer and a face like thunder.

2023 Aston Martin DB12: Evolution on the outside, revolution on the inside

We don’t think that there will be a single person disappointed to read that the DB12 has undergone a complete and total makeover on the inside. Very little, if anything, of the last-generation Aston cabins remains.

The driver’s display is now totally digital, and the physical rev counter is gone. The DB11’s rather claustrophobic centre console, with its tiny Mercedes screen and dated interface, is gone. Instead, a new waterfall (carbon in these images) and crystal-clear infotainment, which incredibly, is now Aston's own. Goodbye the Mercedes and Volvo systems of old... Overall there's a cockpit vibe but with a much fresher feel. Is it distinctly ‘Aston’? It’s such a departure from what’s come before that it’s hard to say. It’s certainly modern and premium – a blend of Continental GT and Roma, dare we say. What there are plenty of, are physical controls and buttons, both on the centre console and the new steering wheel, which we are thoroughly pleased to see.

The screens themselves are both 10.25-inch Pure Black 1,970x720 items – the highest-definition in the segment – with the infotainment featuring an ultra-responsive touch interface. There’s Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard and the option of a Bowers & Wilkins audio system. There’s online connectivity, Over The Air Updates and even an Aston Martin App, to control and customise your car’s parameters remotely. All in, a sorely-needed revolution has taken place on the inside of the DB12.

Aston Martin DB12: Goodbye V12, hello 680PS V8

The only ‘old’ thing we’d have been delighted to see stay, is the 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12. Whether the mill is being totally frozen out of the Aston range remains to be seen, but the DB12 is, for now, V8 only. 

It’s some V8 mind. The familiar 4.0-litre twin-turbo thumper as ever comes courtesy of Mercedes-AMG, that with some Aston fettling produces 680PS in the DB12. That’s a 34 per cent jump in potency compared with the DB11 V8 which, admittedly, was held back as the ‘entry’ to the DB11 range behind the V12. Performance is spectacular, with 0-60mph coming up in 3.5 seconds, on the way to a 202mph top speed. Finally, a standard DB has topped the Vanquish S of 20 years ago…

Mods to the engine helping it get it up to those crazy power levels include bigger turbos, more cooling (in part thanks to that big mouth, and revised cam profiles. If our experience in the DBX707 is anything to go by, this will be a properly thrilling motor and quite apart in character from its Mercedes-AMG cousins.

‘The sharpest DB ever’

The DB11 was never short on power, but poise? It wasn’t the best to drive out of the blocks, though Aston were proactive with improvements over the years. The DB12, however, is described by Aston as the sharpest DB ever and the ‘world’s first super tourer’. Based on recent form (the DBX707 and DBS770), we have no cause to not believe that. 

New for the DB12 is an electronic limited-slip diff, which is linked to the car’s advanced ESC system. It has a shorter final drive too, for more shifting via the revised eight-speed auto box. The structure is seven per cent stiffer compared to the DB11, thanks to revised components including the engine brace, under trays, front crossmember and rear bulkhead. There are new Bilstein intelligent adaptive dampers and stiffer anti-roll bars, with the DB12 sporting a massive 500 per cent increase in bandwidth of force distribution through the dampers. What does that mean? Much better body control.

The car’s electronics can vary in attitude, through multi-mode ESP and three driving modes, GT, Sport and Sport+. We hope with the added dynamic prowess, Aston hasn’t thrown out ride and refinement. Stopping the DB12 are 400mm and 360mm (front and rear) brakes as standard, with carbon items an option that save 26kg in unsprung mass. The new forged 21-inch wheels are shod in the latest Michelin Pilot Sport 5S tyres – their first official use – spanning a 275- and 315-section at the front and rear respectively.

So what do you think of the new Aston Martin DB12? As above, we’re somewhat worried the largely unchanged design will do Aston’s hard work on the face, cabin and dynamics a disservice. Let’s hope buyers can tell old from new. As for price? We’re expecting the DB12 to start in the region of £190,000, with deliveries beginning later this year. Next up, Vantage…