TURNING 12(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 53

Though this Aston Martin DB12 isn't the brand's core model in terms of sales, it's absolutely fundamental in defining what one of this famous marque's modern day sportscars should be. A huge step forward over the DB11, this coupe version is that combination of track car and GT that many have long sought.

Background word count: 164

So this is the start of Aston Martin's next era. The DB12 is considered by the company to be the first car it has developed with the benefit of the fresh investment now available to the brand. And it's billed as 'the world's first Super Tourer'; we'll be trying to unpack what that means here. The DB12 is pivotal in Aston Martin's plan to reposition itself in the market. Ask the brand what that means and there's vague talk about a combination of Rolls-Royce luxury and Ferrari-style performance - which is basically what this model's DB11 predecessor promised at its launch back in 2016. That car launched with 12 cylinders, but most sales were of the V8 version announced a year later and despite the 'DB12' name, it's V8 power that continues here. Under the bonnet of an Aston Martin for which no excuses need be made; only 20% of this car is carried over from the DB11. A fresh start, as we said.

Driving Experience word count: 234

So what do we have here? Well much more of an Aston Martin than its DB11 predecessor certainly. Yes, there still a Mercedes-sourced 4.0-litre V8 up-front, but it's apparently now much more bespoke to Aston and gets 680PS - considerably more power than any DB11 ever had. It's mated to a rear-mounted 8-speed ZF automatic transmission with a short final drive ratio that helps the uber-rapid acceleration; 0-62mph occupies just 3.6s en route to 202mph. There are 'GT', 'Sport' and 'Sport+' drive modes, plus an 'Individual' option to set your own parameters - and a 911-style 'Wet' setting for when the road's sodden and you're concerned about deploying all that power through the rear wheels. This is the first Aston Martin DB to get an electronic rear differential. And also the first to be offered with ceramic brakes. Plus the bonded aluminium platform is 7% more torsionally rigid than it was in the DB11, there's a state-of-the-art ESP system and there's a bespoke-developed set of Michelin Pilot Sport tyres. The spring rates are about 5% stiffer and the engineers claim a 12% reduction in understeer, helped by phenomenal levels of grip. Plus the cam profiles and compression ratios have been enhanced to better support the V8's two larger-diameter turbos. The result of all this takes Aston Martin closer to Ferrari than Bentley in terms of this DB12's roadgoing repertoire. Which was precisely the objective.