Aston Martin DB12 review: Forget about the DB11 – this car is better
DB12 is a huge leap forward from DB11, but there is still some room for improvement
merit
Incredible looks
It feels like a larger Vantage to drive
shortcoming
Internally, there is still room for improvement
The tire noise is a bit loud
We really didn't feel like we were driving the new DB11 at the time as it was a long time ago. It was supposed to be a rebirth of the Aston Martin – after years of driving almost completely different models of the same model, there was finally something new. New looks, new construction, new engines – well, almost, inherited a lot from the old naturally aspirated V12 to create a twin-turbo version.
It feels like a big step up from the outdated DB9 it replaced. The only problem is that the DB11 doesn't do enough to make the DB11 feel like a reasonable choice when compared to cars like the Bentley Continental GT. So, just seven years later, the Aston Martin DB12 arrived here to usher in the rebirth of the British brand. Yes, another one.
Aston Martin DB12 - Front
From the outside, the car is off to a good start. The DB11 never felt monolithic, with its massive grille disproportionate to the rest of the bodywork, and various other issues. DB12, however, is breathtakingly beautiful. It employs a more aggressive aesthetic, but doesn't employ too many creases like some of its competitors.
Underneath the very different exterior, the DB12 uses the same construction as before, and is still powered by a twin-turbo V8 engine borrowed from Mercedes-AMG (which the DB11 was only equipped with towards the end of its lifecycle). But it's not just a facelift and rebranding. The front and rear tracks are wider, the chassis hard points are strengthened, the tires are wider, and the suspension is completely revamped.
Aston Martin DB12 - driving
By the way, this V8 engine is not just a continuation either. It comes with various modifications at the request of Aston Martin, so this 4.0-liter engine is not quite like any car that has the AMG logo on the trunk. The power is 671 horsepower, which is much higher than the bulky old V12 engine.
To achieve this, the engine features a new camshaft profile, an adjusted compression ratio, a larger turbocharger, and an improved cooling system to prevent the V8 engine from overheating. Now, there are two auxiliary coolers that work with the main radiator and there is a cryogenic radiator in the charge cooler water circuit. It should be ok.
Aston Martin DB12 - Side
Unlike the early Aston with the Merc engine, this car – and the 2024 Aston Martin Vantage – doesn't sound like an AMG. The new exhaust system gives this car a unique personality – it makes a wonderful and silky sound that makes you want to step on the accelerator. That's right, this V8 engine makes the car very fast (0-62 mph in just 3.6 seconds) and quite powerful.
The wider track and thicker Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tires only dampen the DB12's higher output to some extent, and it often feels a little too powerful, with the rear end twisting violently, and the traction control system only half-heartedly quells the madness. Do you know? We're not going to solve this problem any other way.
Aston Martin DB12 - driving
Even though the DB12 looks like a bedroom poster, it's a tough guy, as if it inherited the spirit of those boxy, twin-supercharged Vantage models from the '90s. DB12 is much more complex than that, though. Take damping, for example, which keeps the body at a fairly high level without causing bumps. Plus, the compression and rebound strokes are fine enough that you can actually use the stiffer mode of the adaptive settings without making your spine immediately regret it.
But that's not to say that the car is a drift car like the aforementioned Bentley Continental GT. Its configuration is sportier and more focused than that car and the old DB11, and it feels more like the big brother of the Vantage, even though the car itself has been overhauled. This car is best suited for driving around, and the firm, natural steering allows you to make the most of the front-end grip. The car can change direction very quickly and is able to get rid of the weight of 1,788 kg very easily.
Aston Martin DB12 - driving
The eight-speed automatic transmission is another continuation of the DB11, but again, it's tuned – with a shorter final gear ratio, and it sends power to a new electronically controlled differential.
It's a clever setup that allows for quick gear changes and is rarely annoying – like many automatic transmissions, the best compliment we can give is that after a while you'll forget about it. Heavy metal paddle shifters are also nice - very often, even expensive high-performance cars use poor little plastic sheets fixed to the back of the steering wheel.
Aston Martin DB12 - Interior
When you calm down, the DB12 is still a great luxury tourer. Those huge tires were a bit louder than we would have liked, but other than that, it was a quiet cabin for long trips. By the way, the cabin is very different from that of the DB11. The design is brand new, the finish is much better, and the material selection is mostly just right. We say mostly, because there is so much black plastic for the piano, which already looks scratched on our relatively young media cart.
However, Aston still has a lot of work to do. The infotainment system and digital instrument cluster, while much improved from before, need to be done better for a car that costs up to £200,000. Yes, the central touchscreen is responsive, but the menu layout could be better, and a lot of the text on both displays is smaller than it should be, making it difficult to read on the move.
These are minor issues, though. Overall, the DB12 is a successful model that bodes well for Aston Martin to come with great success in the years to come.