Aston Martin challenges Ferrari Roma with powerful DB12.
Aston Martin has given its new DB12 sports car more rugged styling, more power and improved chassis technology to create a wider price gap with the DB11 coupe it replaces.
The DB12 uses a redesigned version of the DB11’s 4.0-liter, twin-turbo AMG-Mercedes V-8, but with output increased to 670 hp from 527 hp, reducing the 0-100 km/h time to 3.4 seconds from 3.9 seconds, Aston Martin said.
The upgrades make the DB12 a direct rival to the Ferrari Roma, which also uses a front-mounted turbocharged V-8. The DB12 has more horsepower than the Roma at 611 hp.
The DB12 will also compete less directly with cars like the Porsche 911 and Bentley Continental GT.
The DB12 is a “remarkable car that affirms Aston Martin’s position as a leader in performance, dynamics, engineering and technology,” Aston Martin chief technology officer Roberto Fedeli said in a statement. “The result is more power and performance than its rivals.”
The DB12 is expected to cost around £184,000 ($229,000) in its UK home market, 12% more than the DB11, which is priced from £164,000.
Aston Martin chairman Lawrence Stroll has previously said that all future Aston Martins will have a gross margin (revenues minus the cost of building) of 40% as he seeks to return the brand to sustainable profitability.
Change of strategy
Aston Martin made a total gross margin of 34% in the first quarter, in which it lost 74.2 million pounds ($92.7 million).
The brand said its average price per car sold was £213,000 for the quarter, up from £201,000 for 2022, company figures show.
The new DB12 starts the lineup up a notch from the outgoing model, with power output eclipsing that of the V-12 DB11.
The DB12 will also be available with a higher-priced open-top Volante version, Aston Martin said.
Aston Martin describes the new model as a “super tourer” to indicate that its performance is above that of a GT or Grand Tourer, a designation traditionally applied to front-engined sports cars, including those from Aston Martin.
Additional tech for the DB12 to back up the super tourer claim includes an electronic differential, or e-diff, at the rear, the first time Aston Martin has fitted one to its front-engined sports cars.
The e-diff significantly improves the car’s cornering capabilities in all conditions, the company said, thanks to its ability to electronically control the torque between each driven rear wheel.
Also helping with handling is a new electronic stability control system with four preset modes to better intervene when wheels slip, “while still allowing the driver to get the best out of the car,” Aston said.
The DB12 also comes with what Aston Martin says is an “exceptionally precise and direct” electronic power steering system (EPAS) and new adaptive dampers.
Outer muscles, inner digital
The car’s exterior gets a more muscular physique to signify the extra power, Aston Martin said.
The grille is wider and deeper than the DB11, and the wheels are pushed further back to give it a wider stance on the road.
The platform is the same welded aluminum structure, but has been made seven percent stiffer with more bracing, the company said.
The interior has been redesigned to include a new central touchscreen as well as a connected screen in front of the driver.
Aston Martin said the new infotainment system has been designed in-house for the first time and includes satellite navigation with ‘satellite view’ mapping and real-time traffic provided via a built-in SIM.
The automaker has not released details about the DB 12’s driver assistance systems.
Owners will be able to download an app that links to the car to display information such as trip data and allow the owner to unlock the car remotely.
The first deliveries of the car will start in autumn.
Car launches that replace both the front-engine Vantage sports car and the DBS performance coupe will follow in the next 12 months, Aston said.
