Aston Martin DBS
It’s a DB9 with a body kit isn’t it? Steady on. The DBS is certainly based on the DB9 but then so is the DBR9 racer that won the GT1 class at Le Mans in 2007. And you wouldn’t find anyone kicking sand in its face.
Aston says the DBS is a very different car in character to both the DB9 and also the older Vanquish whose place the DBS effectively takes in the range – even if Aston reckons we shouldn’t see them as like-for-like.
But there’s more to it than war paint, right? Right. But lets look at that war paint first: flared arches, aggressive front splitter, bonnet scoops, side skirts and a serious piece of carbon acting as a rear diffuser. You may prefer the more demure lines of the DB9 original, but you can’t deny that the DBS is a seriously handsome car with real road presence.
And so to the stuff underneath that make-up. The bonnet, boot lid, wings and doors are made from carbonfibre, shaving 30kg of the total kerbweight and standard carbon brakes, the first on an Aston road car, shed another 12.5kg. In total, the 1695kg DBS weighs 65kg less than a DB9.
- But it’s the same V12 engine


- So with all that power and without all that weight it’s got to be a 200mph super car...
The DBS feels quick, clearly, but not shatteringly so. What strikes more is the amount of torque on offer, the kick in the back at mid-range speeds being far beyond what the spec-sheet suggests.
- So how does it drive?
Aston wants the DBS to feel at home on any road so has fitted adaptable dampers which can be switched between two positions via a console button. As with most cars so equipped, the harder sport setting is just too stiff for anything but the smoothest roads, so you’ll tend to stick with the standard setting. Which works fine until you really start to pile on the pressure. There’s just slightly too much float at higher speed. Aston knows this and is currently discussing whether to tighten the standard setting fractionally.




- Will I feel like Bond inside?
Don’t worry though North Americans – you’ll not notice the 20kg difference and the standard chairs look and feel almost as supportive.
- Verdict
Aston’s new range-topper is an accomplished GT that – with a little tweaking – will be suited for any tarmac ribbon from B-road to race circuit. There are faster rivals, more overtly sporting rivals, but the DBS is the most usable.
However for those who find the butch styling a little gauche, take heart in the knowledge that the brilliant and beautiful DB9 Sport Pack looks like a genuine bargain at £40k less.