Future classic: Aston Martin DB12

By Aaron McKay

| 17 Dec 2024

Classic & Sports Car – Future classic: Aston Martin DB12

It’s one of the most recognisable brands in the world, thanks in no small part to a certain secret agent, but sustaining
the allure of Aston Martin is as delicate an operation as the fastidious hand-enamelling of its badges.

Fragile in business, too, despite maintaining the svelte style, rich craftsmanship and muscular performance that have defined the marque since before Goldfinger.

From its ’90s saving grace, the DB7, there has been Ford, with the millennium-fresh, multi-platform DB9 et al, then David Richards’ consortium that released the whole thing on to the London Stock Exchange in 2018, for Lawrence Stroll and others to pile in with unprecedented funding.

Clockwise from top: the Aston Martin DB12’s 21in wheels are wrapped in sticky Michelin rubber; the tail-lights are a refresh of the DB11’s items; unmistakable grille

In all this time, profit has been more hoped for than guaranteed.

But the cars have been tantalisingly close to greatness, and held the focus of customers who are as discerning as they are devoted.

The 2016 DB11 was true to type, drawing both admiration and disappointment; its DB12 replacement was awaited with lofty expectations.

The 671bhp V8 engine takes the Aston Martin DB12 to a 200mph-plus top speed

Though it is derived from its predecessor, Aston Martin claims only 20% is carried over as its role shifts from GT to ‘Super GT’, suggesting that this is a car for Bond in tactical gear rather than a tuxedo.

Beyond the marketing hyperbole there is some sense to this: the DB12 has turned out to be a traditional ‘iron fist in a velvet glove’ Aston Martin, for those loyal aficionados with a taste for brisk driving and material luxury.

The V8 is crated over from Mercedes-Benz and suits its role perfectly, with bigger turbos, hotter cams and bespoke fettling resulting in tones more urgent than any AMG – though the augmented fizziness in Sport+ is best left off.

Some of the most important updates focused on the Aston Martin DB12’s cabin

The unit is 100kg lighter than the Ford-era V12, and the 15½ft-long DB12 is astonishingly agile when driven hard.

You might think that 671bhp through only the rear wheels would be a bit hairy, but Aston Martin has made the most of its investments in a new electronic rear diff, six-axis vehicle control and adaptive dampers.

The interior delivers, too. Apart from the requisite Connolly hide, even on the door sills, the DB12 is finally free from the tech-savvy criticism that comes with the absence of the likes of Apple CarPlay.

Aston Martin’s latest ‘Super GT’ takes the fight to its Italian rivals

A simple, crisp cabin is punctuated by pleasing details such as metal rollers for temperature and volume, rather than the gimmickry of previous models.

Even alongside a DBS Superleggera it looks tidier, more assured and more elegant; it is so effortlessly charming that smiles appear instead of scorn when you indulge in its outrageous performance.

The Aston Martin DB12 swaggers with a self-confidence equalled only by Bond himself, having just bested his villain at poker – usually with someone else’s money.

Images: Max Edleston