NEW 2023 Aston Martin DB12 wows at Cannes debut

Gaydon’s stunning new 'super tourer' will feature a handbuilt AMG V8 and custom Michelin tyres.

Whether you are 8 years old, or 80, the launch of a new Aston Martin stirs an emotional response which few other brands can match. So timeless and elegant, Aston’s DB line must be an incredibly daunting prospect for any designer to perpetuate.

Fortunately, though, Miles Nurnberger’s team hit a home run with the sleek and flowing, yet still menacing and aggressive profile of the new DB12. We know that beauty is said to be in the eye of the beholder, but surely anyone who disapproves of this new design is overdue a trip to the opticians?

Joking aside, Aston Martin has undertaken a huge amount of work to ensure that this new car is befitting of the 'Super Tourer' title.

Housed under that elongated bonnet is an engine which lends itself perfectly to the DB nameplate. Although it may be 4 cylinders down on previous powerplants, the AMG-derived 4.0 twin turbo V8 is certainly not lacking in character - or auditory thrills. And, rated at a class-leading 680 HP, the Mercedes-sourced unit will propel the DB12 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds and continue to thrust the car past the 200 mph mark.

In order to further exceed the capabilities of a traditional grand tourer, Aston has also engineered the new car to be: “the sharpest DB model ever”.

One of the ways this has been achieved is by utilising a clever E-diff, which can go from open to locked in mere milliseconds – delivering ultimate precision and response. Meanwhile, state-of-the-art adaptive dampers and a dramatic increase in overall torsional stiffness help to ensure the DB12 has a breadth of dynamic abilities far in excess of any DB that has gone before it.

All that chassis wizardry would be moot, though, without the right tyre pairing to make the most of it. Hence why Aston Martin has worked directly with Michelin to develop a bespoke high performance tyre that complements the car’s character.

Further speaking to the ‘tourer’ element of the DB12’s nature, the ultra-luxurious cabin cosets both driver and passenger with sumptuous, quilted leather and traditional British craftsmanship.

Moreover, the DB is not short on the latest tech to make continent crossing journeys as effortless as they are enjoyable. Whether you’re listening to your favourite songs in crystal clarity with the Bowers and Wilkins surround sound system, or watching the numbers climb on the digital instrument cluster as you enter a derestricted section of the autobahn, no trip should be a hardship.

Coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the DB range, deliveries are scheduled to begin this autumn. At an expected starting price of £185,000, the DB12 will spark a total overhaul and refresh of the British brand’s lineup over the next 2 years.