A super touring car to challenge Ferrari

AndThere are many things happening in Aston Martin. Whether in the company’s structure or in its product plan: the Chinese giant jelly Increasing its stake in Aston Martin’s capital to 17 percent DB12 He makes a significant improvement in his athletic traits that dare him to do so Ferrari Challenge Like I never did before. This is where big victories can finally remove the dark clouds that have been hanging over your horizon.

In this 2023 Aston Martin celebrates its 110th anniversary On the founding of the aristocratic brand and the introduction of the first generation DB, 75 years ago. And of all the databases that have rolled off Aston assembly lines over these three quarters of a century, which is the best of all? The answer is somewhat agreed upon: DB5 And not because it was led at that time by the best spy in the service of His Majesty named James Bond.

DB12: A birthday gift to match

The efforts made by the British are well known Celebrate a special occasionwhether, as we have seen recently, the seizure of A The new monarchmemory Military alliance The oldest in history, or, with less epic overtones, just an anniversary Create a car brand Or launch a model. It is not surprising then Aston Martin wants to make the DB12 an exceptional carA birthday gift you’ll never forget.

this Based on DB11but it has changed so much that it is almost… You can talk about a brand new careven demands: her 680 hp It is transmitted by A Structure improvement And the body that makes you dream. Only in this way can he have ambitions, More than just a luxury car (GT)Became the Super toureras Aston decided to classify it.

Especially because, as James Bond said (in Episode 19 of his story “The World is Never Enough”, 1999) “Big is not enough” When the drum beat is heard very loudly, it is best to use the file as a reference Ferrari Roma And for McLaren GTEach has a power of 620 hp. But then add another 60 horsepower and a maximum torque of 800 Nm (formerly 685) in a wide range of rpm, between 2750 and 6000 (the peak was reached later – in the DB11 it was at 2000 -, but “held” until a higher speed (previously dropped below 5000 rpm) forward ).

This means that this New generation 4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine It increases power by at least 34 percent compared to the DB11, which helps explain this Acceleration to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds And maximum speed 325 km/h (The predecessor needed an additional 3 tenths of a second for the same acceleration and did not exceed 300 km/h). And we are already beginning to understand where this desire to call it something superior, e.g Super tourer.

The DB12 appears immediately I notice. “We took the DB11 to the gym,” explains its designer. Marek Richman While running his hand over the “muscular” lines of its sleek aluminum body. Its length is 4.72 meters (2 meters wide and less than 1.3 meters high), a basic light metal that does not exceed its own weight 1,685 kilos), which has increased torsional rigidity by 7 percent. Compared to the DB11, it is 2.5cm shorter (which explains the slight Reduction in luggage volume from 270 to 262 liters) is 3 cm wide and 0.5 cm high and has wider tracks (0.6 cm in front and 2.2 cm in back). The wheelbase has not changed.

On the other hand, it was necessary to use all the ingenuity of British technicians Get the most out of the powerful AMG V8 engine: Two are installed Larger turbochargers Its cooling system has been enhanced. On the other side, The air inlets in the body are 56 percent larger than in the DB11, so that the engine does not suffer from any “asthma” symptoms. The crankshaft also became stiffer and the compression ratio was reduced (from 10.5 to 8.6). Increased V8 performanceIn addition to Eight-speed automatic transmission It has a shorter final development (3,083:1) so the increase in performance can be translated into important dynamic advantages in the DB12: 3.6 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and 325 km/h is not within everyone’s reach.

Welcome to the future

“The DB12 is The first of a new generation of supercars From Aston,” he promised Alex Longproduct manager of the English brand, also as a way to leverage the accumulated prestige of Formula 1 team. An idea confirmed by words Simon Newtonone of the main engineers in the development of this Super Tourer: “During the development of the new model, we made more prototypes and We had more resources than ever before“.

The rear-wheel drive coupé uses the 2+2 classic style session Motion vector With the engine in the front and the gearbox in the backwith balanced Mass Distribution 48:52, to make it as flexible and efficient as possible when cornering. The same goal, in fact, that led to the creation (for the first time at Aston) of A Self-locking electronic back (The previous device was mechanical, slower, and less accurate) Capable of going from completely “open” to up to 100 percent locked in a matter of milliseconds. In addition to accreditation New electronic shock absorbers (Bilstein)which allows for a wider range of adjustment, and straps Stiffer fasteners.

he inside From Aston Martin DB12 is A combination of comfort and refinementtrimmed everywhere with leather, but The appearance of the Mercedes-Benz cockpit belongs to the past. Starting with the infotainment system, consisting of Two 10.25-inch screens All in one Aston Martin controls. It works well, with easy-to-read graphics and quick software, although the navigation system showed some “growing pains” on this first dynamic experience.

the Wide and high center console (Which includes physical quality controls for climate control management as well as biomechanical functions, demonstrating attention to them Preserve the analog component And Touch Driving ) and the central touchscreen, tilted back, generates a A more modern look in a cabin that can still be considered quite classic.

Although this is there Ability to receive software updates remotely It has smartphone (wireless) integration with Apple or Android operating systems. but Noticeable is the lack of a head-up display. space? Very good in the front (body width helps), and in the back it is better not to allow anyone to sit and use this area as an extension of the small trunk. And fully enjoy the weekend as a couple.

At the driver’s command there Five leadership programscan be selected using the classic rotary control located in front of the transmission control unit: GT., sports, Sports+, Wet (wet) and Individually (Allows you to adjust parameters individually). The stability control system also has four modes of operation: Wet, On, Off, and Track. To improve stability on asphalt, tires were installed Michelin Pilot Sport 5S 275/35 front and 315/30 rear, including U-series steel disc brakes, Ceramic discs optionally With greater resistance to fatigue and much lighter weight (allowing the weight of the DB12 to be reduced by 27 kilograms in four).

Lights, camera, go!

With wonderful light French RiveraAnd photographers’ cameras DB12 Purring softly, it’s time to get down to business, because this It’s a GT that demands to drive.bringing huge doses of fun back to the wheel.

the TitleBy the way, it is Fairly straightforward (2.4 turns of the steering wheel lock-to-lock), lighter than I expected, but nothing that selecting the Sport driving mode could quickly solve (the DB12 becomes more Super than Tourer in Sport+). In the repeated succession of curves The balance of the structure is felt Adequate lateral support is appreciated from the driver’s seat (there is Three types of seats: more comfortable, more sporty and medium). If we entered a little late, this is normal when driving very fast on winding roads. Electronic self-locking does its job and helps in corneringwhile combating traction losses.

the Enormous power He says “present!” Just feel the sole of the driver’s shoe and 8-speed automatic transmission It compensates, through shorter development, for the delay (with respect to the DB11) in delivering maximum torque. It is only noticeable that in some situations it maintains the lowest speed for a very long time The driver can intervene manually To solve this problem (using discriminator Magnesium cameras behind the wheel for this purpose). the Thunderous soundtrack emanating from the engine It pleases even the most demanding eardrums and fits in perfectly with the verdant landscapes, luxurious palaces and the world’s largest yachts swaying in the background at your feet. Monte Carlo.

Even on bad asphalt, Even the sportiest driving programs are not too “dry”.As befits the GT. Or Super GT. And the Adaptive structure It has the right response for every road, and for every different ‘mood’ of the driver.

Anyone who knows some of the more well-equipped competitors will be able to point them out Lack of active stabilizer bars and rear axle steering, which Aston Martin justifies by the desire to maintain the linearity of the coupe’s behavior. But the inability to turn the rear wheels makes DB12Being so wide, it is less compatible with parking maneuvers (on Monaco’s narrow arteries or in the city). And the endless sharp curves of Corniche Subordinate Cote d’Azur They alone cannot impress the DB12’s agility because between the advanced stability control systems and the limited-slip rear differential, the picture of efficiency and enjoyment is perfectly formed. On wet roads, adequate doses of safety can be expected thanks to the inclusion of New wet conditions (In driving and stability control programs).