Ever since the original DB5 stormed onto the scene in the James Bond movie Goldfinger back in 1964, Aston Martin has become the epitome of what a sexy, luxurious sports car could, and should be. Sure, it helped that its most famous driver was possibly the coolest secret agent of all time. But, even without Sean Connery's stellar performance, we think these cars would be hard to dislike. In fact, Connery himself owned a DB5 for personal use.
Over the years, Aston Martin has evolved into one of the most lusted after luxury cars in the world. The DBS' mission in life is to do battle with other grand, grand tourers like the Bentley Continental GT, Jaguar F-Type SVR, and Porsche 911 Turbo. For 2023, Aston Martin brings us possibly the best DB car yet.
2023 Aston Martin DBS
- Movie Star Cache
- High Performance Bang & Olufsen Audio System
- Breathtaking Looks
- Trim: Base, Volante
- Model: DBS
- Engine/Motor: 5.2-Liter Twin-Turbo DOHC V12
- Horsepower: 715-Horsepower @ 6,500 RPM
- Torque: 663 Pound-Feet @ 1,800-5000 RPM
- Transmission: ZF Eight-Speed Automatic
- 715-Horsepower V12
- Intoxicating Exhaust Note
- Almost Endless Customizability
- High MSRP Compared To Competition
- 4,000+ Pound Curb Weight
- Faster Cars Available For Less
5.2-Liter V12 715-Horsepower Powertrain
Once you catch your breath and come to grips with just how visually stunning the DBS is, there is even more to take your breath away. Aston Martins have never had a rep for being slow cars by any means, heavy perhaps, but slow, never. And the new DBS is no exception to either of those historical associations. Power comes from a front-mid mounted, direct-injected, twin-turbocharged, all-aluminum 5.2-liter DOHC V12 that creates a ridiculous 715-horsepower at 6,500 RPM and an equally impressive 663 pound-feet of torque that begins at an incredibly low 1,800 RPM and stays at that peak all the way to 5,000 RPM. That engine comes with enough engineering ingenuity as anything Bond ever got from M, and it isn't even the hybrid monster the Valkyrie uses. Dual-variable camshaft timing, fully CNC machined combustion chambers, stainless steel exhaust with crossover pipe, and let's not forget the water-to-air intercooler to keep things performing at max. Though we are sad to report, there are still no rocket launchers or ejector seats on the production models.
That power is then funneled through a paddle-shifted, rear mid-mounted ZF eight-speed automatic transmission through an aluminum torque tube and viscous-coupling differential, ultimately ending at the forged aluminum 21-inch rear wheels. Those huge rims are shod in Pirelli PZero 265/35 ZR-21 front and even bigger 305/30 ZR-21 rear rubber, and do their very best to keep all 4,107 pounds of DBS planted to the tarmac. Also fighting with that 4000-plus curb weight are massive 16.1-inch front and 14.1-inch rear carbon-ceramic ventilated disc brakes.
Aston Martin DBS Performance - 0-60 MPH In 3.4 Seconds
Avid Aston fans might notice that for 2023 the company decided to drop the 'Superleggera' addendum to the DBS' name. Now, the only additional verbiage you can add to your DBS is if you opt for the drop-top version, called the DBS Volante. No matter if you go with the coupe or convertible, the DBS flat-out flies. According to Aston Martin, they tested the DBS from 0-62 mph (which is 0-100 KM/H) in a scant 3.4 seconds, on its way to a top speed of a spine-tingling 211 MPH. In an independent test versus the Bentley Continential GT and Ferrari Roma, Top Speed ran the DBS through the quarter mile and trapped an impressive 11.7 seconds.
Inside, the DBS is every bit the luxury car its price tag suggests it should be. With no less than 38 different colors available for its perforated and quilted leather interior, the DBS defines the word posh. If leather isn't your thing, there is also an option for Alcantara. Aside from the lovely heated,16-way adjustable power seats, there is also an 8.0-inch touchscreen sitting front and center of the dashboard that handles all things infotainment.
The Interior Of The 2023 Aston Martin DBS
One of those things is a custom-made Bang & Olufson sound system that consists of seven speakers, 13-channels, two-woofers, a 250-watt sub and pumps out a full 1000-watts of sound, if for whatever reason, the music from the engine and exhaust is not enough. That system is also Apple CarPlay compatible and sports things like Bluetooth and phone streaming, and of course has GPS built in as well. In terms of safety, the DBS sports eight airbags, tire-pressure monitoring, a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, traction control, emergency brake assist, as well as dynamic stability control and dynamic torque vectoring.
The 2023 Aston Martin DBS Starts At $330,600
For cars in the league of the DBS, price is relative. For most of us plebeians, a base MSRP of $330,600 seems better suited to a five-bedroom house in the suburbs with a nice yard and maybe a deck. But for those on the patrician or aristocrat side of the financial spectrum, that price tag seems well within reason, although it still is on the high end of the price range even compared to its competitors.
But what the DBS is more than just raw power and performance, the 911 Turbo or Ferrari Roma have it beat there. The Aston is also more than just an extravagant exercise in opulent lavishness, that would be the Bentley's bread and butter. No, the DBS is more than the sum of its features. It is a grand tourer of the grandest proportions, and is exclusive enough to get you noticed (and loved) by any valet. The sonorous V12 has enough growl to intimidate anyone at a stoplight, but the suspension counters with a plush enough ride to make sure your fillings don't rattle out of your teeth on the way to that five-star dinner. But more than that, an Aston Martin has a legacy all of those other cars do not. And although it won't actually make you into a secret agent who saves the world, when you're behind the wheel of a DBS, you will certainly feel like one, and that makes it worth every penny.