Design

The unmistakable form of an Aston Martin, with flowing curves, complex surfaces and an unrivalled sculptural beauty; the DBS is every inch a classic Aston Martin, from the hand-finished grille to the carbon-fibre rear diffuser. The aerodynamic excellence of the bodywork is unsullied by superflous spoilers or wings, allowing the lines to run cleanly from bonnet to boot lid.

The design of the DBS conveys the car's enormous potential, with a seductive flow that incorporates aggressive detailing and powerful stance. Like a well toned athlete in a figure-hugging suit, the bodywork of the DBS is a tight wrapping on the muscle that lies beneath, expressed in the taut lines and heavily sculpted flanks. The Aston Martin DBS is a sublime example of exquisitely detailed design, from the five hand-finished alloy slats that form the main grille, to the power bulge on the carbon-fibre bonnet and the LED indicators in the classic Aston Martin cast metal side strake. Every element is beautiful, yet strictly functional.

Low, purposeful and sleek, the DBS communicates performance and agility. Despite its unmistakable silhouette and muscular posture, the DBS is also the model of stylish discretion, with perfect proportions that create a sophisticated and desirable statement. The interior is designed around the driver, providing clear information with primary controls which fall naturally to hand. The main instrument cluster features white numerals on a dark graphite background, while the re-profiled steering wheel perfectly complements the DBS’s intuitive and supremely balanced handling.

The clear, crisp graphics, precise operation of the controls and beautiful finish make the interior of the DBS a very special place to be. The centre console is a blend of analogue instruments and digital technology, including an advanced audio system, MP3 player connectivity and satellite navigation, regulated by controls fashioned from solid, turned aluminium. To start the DBS is pure theatre. Ignition is controlled by a stainless steel and sapphire ECU (Emotion Control Unit), as refined and elegant as a fine timepiece. Once inserted into the dashboard, the ECU glows red in delicious anticipation of the glorious sound of the V12 engine.

Tasked with creating the opulent feel of a true luxury sports car whilst also saving weight, Aston Martin’s designers have used special semi-aniline leather, with its softer, more sensual feel and distinctive aroma. The Alcantara and semi-aniline leather sports seats are electrically adjustable and bear the DBS signature stitch patterning and logo.

Performance

The DBS was developed as the ultimate expression of Aston Martin’s engineering and technical ability. The need for high-performance stability, handling ability and low kerb weight defined the car’s form and construction. The DBS is the first production Aston Martin to make extensive use of ultra-light carbon-fibre body panels. Its high level of performance is delivered by the combination of inherent light weight, near-perfect weight distribution, a supremely powerful and flexible V12 engine, and a performance-honed six speed transmission.

The 6.0-litre V12 engine is the heart of the DBS. The DBR9 and DBRS9 race cars are powered by an enhanced version of this same V12, tuned to produce in excess of 600 bhp. The shared powerplant continues the strong link between Aston Martin’s road and race cars, just as the six-cylinder powerplant used in the DBR1 also powered the DB4, DB5 and DB6 in the 1950s and 60s.

Like all current Aston Martin powerplants, the engine is hand-assembled at Aston Martin’s dedicated engine facility in Cologne, Germany. The classic 6.0-litre V12 features a number of power-increasing enhancements. These include a ‘by-pass’ engine air intake port that opens above 5500 rpm to allow more air into the engine, and re-profiled air inlet ports that further improve airflow into the combustion chamber. Combined with a compression ratio of 10.9:1, the result of these enhancements is prodigious power and torque: the DBS delivers 380 kW (510 bhp/517 PS) at 6500 rpm.

The 3.71:1 final-drive ratio ensures that the additional power is usable, enhancing in-gear acceleration in particular.

Control

A true sports car has to be light and well balanced. A lightweight, rigid structure is the design engineer’s ultimate goal, and achieving the right balance between strength and mass is crucial. Like the DB9 and its sibling DBR9 and DBRS9 race cars, the DBS uses Aston Martin’s class-leading all-alloy VH (Vertical Horizontal) architecture, a lightweight bonded aluminium structure that provides outstanding strength and rigidity. This structure means that weight is kept to a minimum, with the front-mid mounted engine and rear-mid mounted transaxle ensuring a near perfect weight distribution: 85% of the car’s weight is positioned within its wheelbase. The DBS’s polar moment of inertia is therefore very low, producing a car with natural agility, a strong, stable platform for the V12’s high power output and an exhilarating driving experience.

In order to take full advantage of its extremely precise and rigid platform, the DBS employs a new and sophisticated Adaptive Damping System (ADS) which uses two separate valves to set the dampers to five different positions, allowing instant adjustment of the car’s ride and handling characteristics. The Adaptive Damping System automatically alters the suspension settings to ensure the driver has high levels of control at all times, with the ability to respond instantly to different driving conditions. The dampers can be ‘softer’, with a corresponding improvement in ride quality, or ‘firm’, providing improved body control for more spirited driving. The damper settings are determined by an electronic control unit which takes sensor readings from the car’s systems, including throttle position, brake position, steering wheel rotation and vehicle speed. This data establishes the prevailing driving conditions and the demands the driver is making on the car.

The DBS’s Adaptive Damping System perfectly captures the car’s sporting character, ensuring that stiffer dampers are available for better handling and control when the car is being driven enthusiastically, without compromising ride comfort during ‘normal’ driving conditions. A designated ‘Track’ mode automatically sets all dampers to their firmest positions, making it ideal for circuit driving. The DBS is fitted with Pirelli P-Zero tyres that have been developed especially for the car, along with new 20" lightweight alloy wheels.

The DBS has a revised Dynamic Stability Control system, designed to help maintain maximum traction in challenging driving conditions. In default operation, the DSC is automatically on. Select and press the button for two seconds and DSC ‘Track’ mode is engaged, raising the threshold at which the system intervenes to allow the experienced driver to explore the car’s limits. Hold the button for four seconds and DSC is disengaged entirely.

Aston Martin’s engineers have also employed advanced materials and processes to further reduce weight and increase the DBS’s performance and dynamics. A key feature is the extensive use of carbonfibre body panels, as in the DBR race cars. In the case of the DBS, carbon-fibre panels are used for the boot enclosure, boot lid, door opening surrounds, front wings and bonnet, giving a saving of some 30 kg over more conventional materials without any reduction in strength. Each panel has been carefully sculpted to direct the airflow around the car, into the engine and to help cool the braking system; the DBS bodywork is a harmonious composition of flowing, muscular forms. The carbon-fibre elements are produced using advanced manufacturing techniques developed from the aerospace and motorsport industries.

The car’s braking system features another innovation, the first time Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) brakes have been used on a road-going Aston Martin. The DBS’s carbon ceramic brake system consists of 398 mm diameter ventilated discs with six-piston alloy monobloc calipers at the front and 360 mm diameter ventilated discs with four-piston alloy monobloc calipers at the rear. The end result is shorter stopping distances with excellent resistance to fade in even the most demanding driving conditions. CCM brakes are also some 12.5 kg lighter than a conventional system, reducing the weight of the car overall and, in particular, the unsprung weight and rotational masses, further enhancing the performance of the suspension.

Bang and Olufsen

Perfect Partnership - The combination of pioneering high-technology manufacturing and traditional craft skills of both Aston Martin and Bang & Olufsen ensures a perfect relationship between the two brands. Both companies represent the epitome of exclusivity, which, of course, is vital to the bespoke aura surrounding their products. Joining forces in their continuous quest for perfection, Aston Martin and Bang & Olufsen are dedicated to delivering an exhilarating driving and listening experience to their discerning customers.

Brand Heritage - Aston Martin and Bang & Olufsen share a common approach. Both companies were founded by a pair of pioneering engineers at the start of the 20th century, and through a commitment to manufacturing skills and design values, each has grown into an iconic global brand, bringing together technological and design excellence with the strongest possible emotional appeal.

Experience - The Bang & Olufsen BeoSound system has been developed exclusively for Aston Martin, acoustically and physically matched to the car. While the visual aluminium elements match seamlessly with the dynamic lines and curves of the vehicle, the sound performance has been designed to the exact dimensions of the interior. This ensures the listener is enveloped and engaged in a complete acoustic experience which effortlessly complements the outstanding power and supreme balance, handling and ride that are hallmarks of an Aston Martin.

System Development - Developing in-car audio systems is very different to the process of working with home AV. The interior layout of the car is critical as it dictates the placement of the speakers. The biggest challenge for Bang & Olufsen’s engineers was to work creatively within this pre-defined space. Working in collaboration with Aston Martin’s own engineers, the acousticians established the relationship between speaker placement and the unique aluminium structure of the car. Through the use of pioneering acoustic competencies and proprietary technologies, Bang & Olufsen in conjunction with Aston Martin has managed to reach a level of seamless integration, resulting in an incomparable ambience. This applies to both the performance and the design of the audio system, which have been tailored to the precise acoustic and aesthetic characteristics of the vehicle. The result is crisp and clear sound at all volumes, which makes the sound system the perfect match for the commanding performance of the Aston Martin.

Sound - Innovation, sophistication, craftsmanship, beauty and, of course, peerless sound quality are fundamental to any Bang & Olufsen system. As such, it is the embodiment of the art of shaping sound to the interior contours of performance cars, focusing not only on horsepower or output power, but on the overall experience and musicality in every sense of the word.

Design - Designed specifically for Aston Martin, the focus is on total visual harmony within the environment of the vehicle. Flowing, smoothly contoured, aluminium loudspeaker grilles seamlessly integrate with the fluid lines and curves of the Aston Martin cabin, while the iconic acoustic lenses (ALT) which emerge silently from the dashboard when the system is turned on add that touch of magic which is rightfully expected from Bang & Olufsen.

Translating the pioneering acoustic technologies into a functional yet elegant design language, the look and feel of the sound system is a perfect reflection of the Aston Martin ethos of Power, Beauty and Soul as well as a strong testament to the innovative design excellence and long-established craft tradition of Bang & Olufsen.

Technical Specifications - A variety of technologies are employed to ensure the Bang & Olufsen bespoke audio systems for Aston Martin exceed expectations. ICEpower® (a proprietary technology of Bang & Olufsen) offers a sought after combination of high power and hi-fi sound quality with ultra-compact design and cool operation. Acoustic Lens Technology (ALT) enables a wide (180°) horizontal dispersion of high frequencies. The technology prevents the loss of critical sound and gives listeners an improved sense of space, staging and realism, even when not sitting in the optimal listening position (the ‘sweet spot’).

• 13 loudspeakers in 10 locations including 2 tweeters with ALT (Acoustic Lens Technology)
• 1 x 19mm soft-dome tweeter with Acoustic Lens Technology on either side of the dash board (2 speakers)
• 1 x 90mm midrange unit in each door (2 speakers)
• 1 x 140mm woofer on either side of the centre console (2 speakers)
• 1 x 90mm midrange and 1 x 19mm soft-dome tweeter at the centre of the dashboard (2 speakers)
• 1 x 90mm midrange and 1 x 19mm tweeter in each rear quarter (4 speakers)
• 1 x 200mm subwoofer mounted behind the left seat, under the rear bench.

Even the best speaker and the best amplifier would sound wrong in a car unless adapted to that car through the use of advanced Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and sound tuning. DSP essentially stages the musical performance. The combination of the advanced DSP and hours spent tuning each system by ear ensures all loudspeakers work together seamlessly to deliver the best listening experience possible.

Custom-moulded closed-cabinet loudspeaker boxes ensure that the same conditions are maintained for each loudspeaker regardless of position or what is happening in the surrounding environment. There is less sound leakage and more control.

Furthermore, the Bang & Olufsen sound systems for Aston Martin adapt automatically to changing noise conditions. This dynamic tuning lets occupants concentrate exclusively on an engaging driving and listening experience.