New metal from Aston Martin
DBS makes European debut along with two new special editions
Aston Martin had a host of new models on display at September’s Frankfurt show, including its new, range-topping DBS, a more powerful, limited-edition V8 Vantage called the N400 and, finally, a special DB9 being built to celebrate the company’s class win at Le Mans this year and called, appropriately, DB9 LM.
Starting with the DBS – which was making its European debut at the show – Aston has finally released full details of this DB9-based model, due in showrooms in early 2008. Thanks to carbonfibre body panels, carbon-ceramic brake discs (a whopping 398mm in diameter at the front, 360mm at the rear) and a revised interior without rear seats, it weighs in at 1695kg, some 65kg lighter than the DB9. Optional carbonfibre seats allow this figure to be trimmed by a further 20kg, too.
Meanwhile, the 5.9-litre V12 engine has been heavily revised and now features special bypass valves in the air intake that open above 5500rpm to improve airflow, re-profiled air intake ports and a raised compression ratio (up from 10.3:1 to 10.9:1) that together deliver a power increase of some 60bhp, raising the final tally to 510bhp. Torque, however, remains unchanged at 420lb ft.
The final drive ratio has been changed to give slightly lower gearing, helping the DBS hit 62mph in 4.3sec (down from 4.9sec). Top speed, meanwhile, rises from 186 to 191mph.
Moving on to the N400, this special edition V8 Vantage is so called as a nod to the success of Aston’s N24 race car in the Nürburgring 24-hours, and, perhaps more importantly, because it lifts the 4.3-litre V8’s power from 380 to 400bhp.
The N400 also gets a new suspension set-up that, much like the successful Sports Pack offered on the DB9, aims to bring a more sporting feel, but not necessarily at the expense of ride comfort. Spring and damper settings are revised and there’s a new rear anti-roll bar. Also included in the pack are new, lightweight, graphite-finished wheels.
Available in black, silver or orange, and in Coupe or Roadster form, prices for the N400 will start at £92,000. Expect a similar Sports Pack to become an option on the standard AM V8 next year.
Finally, the DB9 LM. Built to celebrate Aston’s first class win at Le Mans in 48 years, just 124 examples will be built, each costing £124,000 and featuring unique touches such as Sarthe Silver paint, smoked chrome meshes, red brake callipers and a numbered plaque.
Aston’s attention will now turn to the four-door Rapide, due late 2009/early 2010, but news has also leaked out that work is underway on another model, a true Aston flagship in the manner of the Vanquish. Codenamed DBX, little else is known about the car other than that it will arrive just after the Rapide.
It’s no wonder Aston CEO Dr Bez has just signed a new five-year contract – life at the company has never been busier.
