Aston Martin DB12 Review: A Sensational Endeavour

What we like:

Excellent daily usability

Lovely dynamics

Much improved interior

What we dislike:

V8 engine can sometimes feel a bit too Germanic

Ever since Lawrence Stroll had a hand in Aston Martin, change has been afoot. He invested in the company at a time when it was in the doldrums and needed a turnaround. The results are promising, like the DB12.

It may look like a heavy facelift of the outgoing DB11, but the changes are truly more than meets the eye. The intention was to make a Grand Tourer so good that people will call it a Super Tourer. Aston Martin is so confident that it gave the car that very tagline. The idea was to build a GT with handling and performance worthy of a supercar.

What has changed with the Aston Martin DB12?

Power output is now 680 PS and 800 Nm from the AMG-derived 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, the former figure a 34% increase from the DB11. The suspension system is all-new, featuring intelligent adaptive dampers with a 500% increase in force distribution bandwidth, an electronic rear e-diff and bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport 5 S tyres with unique ‘AML’ markings on their sidewalls. The stability control now is progressively relaxed through five pre-set driving modes, while the 8-speed auto gets a shortened final drive ratio and reduced shift speeds. Torsional rigidity of the bonded aluminium chassis increases by 7% thanks to various underbody enhancements.

How is the Aston Martin DB12 like to drive every day?

All of these combine to create a car that’s disarmingly easy to get along with. Getting about town is where the car really shines - it looks this drop-dead gorgeous while being able to cosset its occupants in comfort and luxury. Noise levels are low, the view out is good and controls are light yet precise. It doesn’t pretend to be an all-out sports car which is one of the best things I like about it. It’s a genuinely pleasant car to live with every day.

There’s plenty of low-end torque from the V8, but somehow, it feels quite different from the old-school rambunctious V8s of older Astons. The engine is probably the most Germanic part of the car, but at least it gives unprecedented reliability and long-term maintenance predictability.

Does the Aston Martin DB12 have any newfound abilities on the B-roads?

With the amicable character, you will be left all the more impressed when the car brings deeply impressive abilities when the roads turn serpentine. During our test drive, the sky suddenly dumped lots of rain on the road and there were standing pools of water when I drove the car to the far west of the island in search of some driving roads. Honestly, the conditions could not be worse for a single-minded sports car but in the DB12, it was right at home. It was like driving down a British B-road again in Wales or Scotland.

The Michelins slice through the water, creating a pathway on which the DB12 scythes down the road. With water sloshing about in its wheel wells and ‘hand-clap’ wipers working overtime, the DB12 was supremely confident despite the despondent weather. It gave me the green light to push further and - woah - I absolutely loved the way the car danced down the road. It didn’t feel its size and length at all, gaining a newfound agility that’s truly beguiling. Even when I switched to Wet mode, the traction control system didn’t hawk over the drive like a nanny; it was very well-judged to maximise pace without killing fun. I really fell in love with the car in that instant.

Love? Has the Aston Martin DB12 sparked it?

And on that note, how could you not like how the DB12 sits on the road? Your eyes aren’t fooling you, the DB12 is wider than its predecessor with an increase in track by 6 mm at the front and 22 mm at the rear. The front surface area is noticeably larger - a 56% increase to allow more cold air to flow into the radiators. Bonnet vents are strategically placed just above the twin turbos to allow heat ventilation. This particular test car is equipped with carbon ceramic brakes, saving 27 kg. As a whole, the DB12 looks more grandiose and has heaps more presence than before. However, it still maintains its elegant shape, arguably more so.

Has the interior of the Aston Martin DB12 improved?

The interior has undergone an even bigger change than the exterior. Swathed in buttery soft Bridge of Weir hides and scores of exposed carbon fibre, material quality has taken a noticeable uplift. Build quality has also improved along with more intricate detailing all round. There is a hugely impressive Aston Martin developed 10.25-inch infotainment system that just works so well, perhaps even better than those from companies that are multiple times larger. While in older Aston Martins (like say, the DB9) you may not even bother using the infotainment at all because it is so outdated, in the DB12 it is so pleasant to use that you will incorporate it into your everyday life.

Yet Aston Martin hasn’t gone all digital. It has cleverly understood the tactility of physical switches, and so there is a whole tray of buttons laid out between the front two seats which aren’t unlike those we’ve seen in the first generation Panamera. It works an absolute treat, with very key driving functions like chassis, ESP, exhaust, lane assist and parking sensors having a button each. There is a proper gear knob as well as drive mode and seat ventilation buttons. No pesky touchscreen menus to go through, woohoo.

What’s the verdict on the Aston Martin DB12?

The DB12 has really made a quantum leap over its predecessor and I daresay best captures the imagination of those of us who have been won over by the likes of the DB5 and, more recently, the DB9. I’m really excited with what Aston Martin can do with its future products with the DB12 setting such an excellent precedent.

Photos by James Wong

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