Aston Martin DB12: The Super Tourer Era

When Aston Martin set out to replace the DB11, they faced a difficult decision. The DB11 was a beautiful and capable Grand Tourer, but it was often criticized for its aging infotainment system and for being slightly too soft dynamically compared to rivals from Ferrari and Porsche.

Aston Martin didn’t just want to update the DB11; they wanted to elevate the entire category. Upon its unveiling in 2023 (coinciding with the brand’s 110th anniversary), Aston Martin declared the DB12 to be the world’s first “Super Tourer.”

This wasn’t just marketing hyperbole. The DB12 represents a massive leap forward in handling precision, technological integration, and sheer, brute-force performance, fundamentally altering the trajectory of the legendary “DB” bloodline.

The Powertrain: Farewell to the V12

The most controversial decision surrounding the DB12 was the engine. For the first time in a flagship DB model since the DB7, there is no V12 option.

Instead, Aston Martin went all-in on their partnership with Mercedes-AMG. The DB12 is powered exclusively by a heavily modified version of the AMG 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8.

However, this is not a standard AMG engine dropped into an Aston chassis. Aston Martin engineers significantly reworked the engine, fitting larger turbochargers, redesigned cam profiles, optimized compression ratios, and a completely overhauled cooling system (adding two additional auxiliary coolers to the central main radiator).

The result is a staggering 680 PS (671 bhp) at 6,000 rpm and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque available from 2,750 to 6,000 rpm. This is a 34% increase in power over the outgoing DB11 V8, and it actually produces more horsepower and significantly more torque than the old 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12.

Power is routed through an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission, but crucially, for the first time on a DB model, it features an Electronic Rear Differential (E-Diff) linked directly to the car’s dynamic stability control system. This allows the DB12 to transition from fully open to 100% locked in milliseconds, drastically improving agility on tight roads.

A Sharpened Chassis

To justify the “Super Tourer” moniker, the chassis of the DB12 had to be significantly stiffer and more responsive than the DB11.

The bonded aluminum structure was reinforced, resulting in a 7% increase in global torsional rigidity (with specific areas like the front cross-brace and rear bulkhead seeing much higher increases).

The suspension features next-generation intelligent adaptive dampers, which offer a 500% increase in the bandwidth of force distribution compared to the previous generation. This means the car can be incredibly soft and compliant in “GT” mode, but instantly transform into a stiff, roll-resistant sports car in “Sport+” mode.

To manage the 680 horsepower, the DB12 is the first production car in the world to be fitted with the new Michelin Pilot Sport 5 S tires as standard, featuring a bespoke compound explicitly developed for Aston Martin (marked with “AML” on the sidewall).

Design: Aggressive Elegance

Visually, the DB12 is an evolution of the DB11, but its stance is far more aggressive.

The track has been widened (6 mm at the front, 22 mm at the rear), giving the car a more muscular, planted footprint. The front fascia is dominated by a massive, reshaped Aston Martin grille (necessary for cooling the upgraded V8) and new LED headlights featuring a distinct, segmented daytime running light signature. The iconic Aston Martin wings badge was also redesigned for the DB12.

The car sits on massive 21-inch forged alloy wheels, which, despite being larger, are actually 8 kg lighter than the 20-inch wheels on the DB11, reducing unsprung mass.

The Digital Revolution: An In-House Interior

The biggest transformation, and the most necessary one, occurred inside the cabin. The DB11 utilized an outdated, reskinned version of Mercedes-Benz’s old COMAND infotainment system, which severely let down the luxury experience.

For the DB12, Aston Martin finally developed their own, completely bespoke infotainment system entirely in-house.

The centerpiece is a crisp, highly responsive 10.25-inch touchscreen integrated beautifully into the sloping center console. Crucially, Aston Martin did not succumb to the trend of putting every function on a screen. They retained beautiful, tactile, knurled metal physical buttons and rollers for the climate control, exhaust valves, suspension settings, and volume.

The cabin is swathed in hand-stitched Bridge of Weir leather, Alcantara, and carbon fiber. It represents a monumental leap in material quality and technological usability, finally offering an interior that matches the car’s exterior beauty and price tag.

The Future of Aston Martin

The Aston Martin DB12 successfully bridges the gap between continent-crushing Grand Tourers and razor-sharp supercars. By utilizing the lighter V8 engine, stiffening the chassis, and introducing the E-Diff, the DB12 handles with a precision that the DB11 could only dream of, without sacrificing the ride comfort required of an Aston Martin. It is a triumphant statement of intent for the brand’s future.