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| Aston Martin DBS |
Aston Martin DBS. Complete information on Aston Martin DBS car, photos, pictures, prices and specifications. Striking beauty with an underlying strength. Seductively powerful and exquisitely finished, DBS represents the synthesis of raw power, race-bred technology. The modern Aston Martin DBS is a high performance GT sports car from the UK manufacturer Aston Martin. Aston has used the DBS name once before on their 1967-72 grand tourer coupe. The modern car replaces the 2004 Vanquish S as the flagship of the marque. It was officially unveiled at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on 2007-08-16, which featured a brand new exterior colour, a graphite grey with a blue tint which has been dubbed 'Casino Ice'. Delivery began on 2008 Q1. The car is built in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Its engine is built at the Aston Martin engine plant in Cologne, Germany. Engine: 6.0 Litre 48-valve V12. Transmission: 6-Speed Manual (optional 6-Speed Automatic). Drivetrain: RWD (Rear Wheel Drive). Curb Weight: 1,695 kg (3,740 lb). City Fuel Economy: 12 mpg-US (20 L/100 km; 14 mpg-imp). Highway Fuel Economy: 18 mpg-US (13 L/100 km; 22 mpg-imp). Horsepower: 510 hp (380 kW; 517 PS) at 6500 rpm. Torque: 420 lb•ft (569 N•m) at 5750 rpm. Wheelbase: 107.9 in (2,741 mm). Length: 185.9 in (4,722 mm). Width: 75.0 in (1,905 mm). Height: 50.4 in (1,280 mm). The DBS is equipped with 5935 cc V12 engine with four valves per cylinder. The same engine is also used in the DBR9 and DBRS9 racing cars albeit with extensive modifications. The engine of the DBS produces 510 horsepower (380 kW) at 6500 rpm and 570 N•m (420 lb•ft) of torque @ 5750 rpm. The engine also includes an active bypass valve which above 5500 rpm opens and lets more air into the engine resulting in increased performance. Compression ratio is 10.9:1 which combined with the above propels the car from 0-62 mph in 4.3 seconds all the way up to 191 mph (307 km/h). In 2007, the British motoring show Top Gear sent the DBS around their famous test track and recorded a lap time of 1:23.9, a second faster than the comparable Bentley Continental Supersports. As with the DB9, Aston Martin uses the same VH(vertical horizontal) structure which provides strength and rigidity to the whole car. Thanks to the structure, 85% of the weight of the car is kept between the wheelbase which results in increased handling, responsiveness and feel during tight cornering. Aston Martin has also developed an Adaptive Damping System or ADS which alters the suspension in order for the car to cope with the driver's desires and road/weather conditions. When turned on, the ADS automatically alters the suspension settings to ensure the driver has high levels of control at all times. Apart from the suspension getting stiffer, throttle and braking response is increased and also steering is sharpened. The DBS is fitted with Pirelli P-Zero tyres which have been developed especially for the car, along with lightweight, aluminum 20" wheels. To keep the weight as low as possible, Aston Martin has made extensive use of carbon fiber throughout the whole car. The bonnet, the boot, the front wings and the door opening surrounds are all made by carbon fiber. The carpets are also made by special thin layers from carbon fiber. The roof and the doors are made by aluminum. The result of all that is a 30 kg (66 lb) weight reduction from a regular DB9. The car is also fitted with a carbon fiber splitter at the front wings to increase handling and a carbon fiber rear diffuser to increase high speed stability. The brake discs are carbon ceramic, which shaves a significant 12.5 kg (28 lb) from the unsprung weight. In the front, there are 398 mm (15.7 in) ventilated and drilled brakes with 6-piston alloy monobloc calipers. In the back, there are 360 mm (14.2 in) ventilated and drilled brakes with 4-piston alloy monobloc calipers.