It’s goodbye DB11 and welcome to Australia Aston Martin DB12.
A celebration of the automaker’s 110th anniversary, as well as the 75th anniversary of the DB model line, the Twelve is a scintillating omen for the future of the brand. Let’s dive straight in.
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So what’s the story behind the Aston Martin DB12?
Aston Martin’s revered DB line has given us some of the most iconic cars in history. However, despite its beauty and sophistication, lagging tech updates have stifled its recent success. Aston’s renaissance, which began five years ago with Lawrence Stroll’s majority acquisition of the company, is finally taking shape in the form of the new DB12.
I’ll say it right here: under the bonnet, inside the cabin, and when goggled at from afar, the DB12 is the British marque’s slam dunk you’ve been waiting for.
Who’s the buyer?
Regardless of where your loyalties lie, the David Brown wheels from Aston Martin are admired by all car enthusiasts. But let’s be honest: the DB11 was undoubtedly a heart-over-head purchase.
With the addition of new tech in the DB12 I suspect buyers of rival automakers like Bentley or Ferrari will have more reasons to be interested in Aston Martin. And at $455,000 before on-roads, the price is always alluring in comparison.
Tell us about your first impressions.
They were about as good as first impressions get. Few cars can rival the on-road presence of an Aston Martin, and the DB12 is the most athletic and refined iteration yet. Behind the wheel, you’re instantly reminded of how massive these cars feel to drive.
Draped in a timeless ‘British Racing’ green with 21-inch satin bronze wheels and a tan/obsidian interior, our test spec was objectively gorgeous. But it was the Twelve’s updated interior – the long-awaited technological revolution – that I was most excited for. More on that shortly.
Give us the top lines on efficiency and performance.
There’s minimal efficiency to be squeezed from a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8. Fortunately, the DB12 is about power, and there’s a lot of it. Despite being a heavy grand tourer, clocking in with a curb weight of 1.8 tonnes, the DB12’s drivetrain propels it through the upper torque curve with gracious ease.
While the suspension and ride comfort has come a long way from its predecessors (and is admirable in all three drive modes) I found the throttle to be quite punchy and a tad aggressive in lower gears. Thankfully, the ZF gearbox is rapid – you’re never left hanging for the next gear in the DB12.
Tech & connectivity — what’s the word?
Here it is ladies and gentlemen, what you’ve been waiting for: an infotainment system worth writing home about. Antiquated tech has pulled the brand down in the consideration phase for years, when pegged against direct competitors. Not anymore.
We’re now treated to a 10.3-inch central infotainment touchscreen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It was a wired connection during our time with the 12, but we’re told the wireless over-air update is imminent.
The screen, albeit quite narrow, sits pretty in the new flight deck-style centre console with plenty of buttons still available around it to keep you in control of the specifics. An 11-speaker audio system comes standard. A banging 15-speaker Bowers & Wilkins package is also an option.
And…for the boring safety stuff?
Boring, indeed. The DB12 has automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control as standard. Plus, automatic high-beam headlamps, which is great for touring on country roads at any time of the day.
The most memorable — or heartbreaking — thing about your drive?
Amazingly, it was probably the 1,170-watt Bowers & Wilkins 15-speaker sound system. I was absolutely blown away by the sonic pleasure. The placement, direction, and symmetry of the double-amplified speakers is just as impressive as their quality. Bowers & Wilkins has designed the tweeters to minimise acoustic reflection and built them into the car’s fabric.
As the brand explains more proficiently than I can, the speakers feature “spiralling diffusion channels that soak up reflected sound from the rear of each tweeter drive unit.” Regardless of what that means, I can tell you I found myself more excited to blare my Spotify favourites than listen to the signature Aston Martin exhaust note.
One thing you should know before a test drive.
If you’ve been counting your pennies and waiting patiently for the perfect moment to pounce on an Aston Martin, the time is now. The Bowers & Wilkins audio kit is a non-negotiable.
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