Official liter-weight Aston Martin DBS

[lightweight]

http://www.caranddriver.com/carnews/...artin-dbs.html

With its completely exposed powder blue paint shimmering in the sun, the 2008 Aston Martin DBS has been caught while testing both on public roads and the track. While its official debut is set for the Geneva auto show in March, the concept’s lack of disguise previews not just the car we’ll get here late next year, but also the look of the new James Bond hero car seen in Casino Royale starting mid-November. Interestingly, the DBS is the first James Bond Aston to be seen in one of the James Bond movies before it has officially been launched.

0610_astdbrs9_245Not surprisingly, Aston Martin officials were relatively mum on specific modifications to the DB9-based supercoupe other than what we can all see by looking at it—specifically, a deeper air dam, larger side vents, larger wheels and aerodynamic modifications all around—but they did confirm a significant increase in the V-12’s power output and a commensurate increase in overall performance capability. Just to mess with us, it seems, Aston Martin slapped the prototypes caught by photographers with “DBRS9” badges, leading many editorial outlets to mislabel the vehicle as the DBRS9, the name of a DB9-based racer that is not, and never will be, street legal. This vehicle, however, is in fact going to be called DBS.

With the Vanquish discontinued after 2006, the DBS becomes the performance flagship of the Aston Martin line. A convertible DBS is “doubtful,” Aston Martin says.

[P3RG4R3C]

Um, it's the same as all other Astons?

[:Exige:]

Um, it's the same as all other Astons?

Aston Martin officials were relatively mum on specific modifications to the DB9-based supercoupe other than what we can all see by looking at it—specifically, a deeper air dam, larger side vents, larger wheels and aerodynamic modifications all around—but they did confirm a significant increase in the V-12’s power output and a commensurate increase in overall performance capability.

No...

[CJ_007]

The power will be similar to the DB9, if I'm correct.

Also, I'm starting to doubt that the car will actually be called the DBS. I'm thinking that the DBRS9 will have two forms... production (above 'DBS') and race (DBR9ish looking car).

Anyone know anything to back that?

[lightweight]

Also, I'm starting to doubt that the car will actually be called the DBS. I'm thinking that the DBRS9 will have two forms... production (above 'DBS') and race (DBR9ish looking car).

But the DBRS9 is the racing version of the DB9. How can you realte the DBS to the DBRS9 sice the DB9 and the DBS are marketed as different models?

Only if the DBS is marketed as a sport version of the DB9 can something like this make sense.

I have to say though that the DBS is like a DB9 with a bodykit and an engine upgrade....

[LandQuail]

There's probably more to it than a bodykit and horsepower spike, but likely not a whole-car revolution.

And I don't see anybody bitching and moaning that the Murtheilago... spelled right? LP 640 or 360 Challenge Stradale or Porsche GT3 looks like its cousins.

[Vaigra]

There's probably more to it than a bodykit and horsepower spike, but likely not a whole-car revolution.

And I don't see anybody bitching and moaning that the Murtheilago... spelled right? LP 640 or 360 Challenge Stradale or Porsche GT3 looks like its cousins.

I don't moan about those because they're variants of the same car hence sharing the same name (Murcielago & Murcielago Lp640, 360 & 360CS etc.)
The DBS is supposed to be a completely different model as it was when it was first released.

[Coventrysucks]

The power will be similar to the DB9, if I'm correct.

So, you think the "replacement" for the 520bhp Vanquish S, the DBS, said by Aston Martin officials to have a "substantial" power increase over the DB9, will have c. 450bhp?

If I were to put money on it, I would be leaning away from you being correct.

[:Exige:]

It's called a 'family face'. It allows people to recognise it instantly as an Aston Martin. Also Ford is in the shitter ... designing a new car everytime would only put Aston Martin closer to bankrupcy.

[lightweight]

It's called a 'family face'.

I fully understand that, but the Astons are really hard to distinguish. To the eyes of a non-UCP member, they are confusingly similar

Mercedes and Audi have a similar strategy, but you can tell which car is which.

[NSXType-R]

Where exactly does the DBS slot in their car lineup anyway?

I'm all for them building different cars, but it confuses the hell out of a potential buyer. It's above the V8 Vantage, but is it below the DB9 or above it?

[lightweight]

Where exactly does the DBS slot in their car lineup anyway?

I think that since the Vanquish will be deleted, it will slot above the DB9. Kind of the successor to the Vanquish?

[kigango123]

I think that since the Vanquish will be deleted, it will slot above the DB9. Kind of the successor to the Vanquish?

never liked it anyways.

[NSXType-R]

I think that since the Vanquish will be deleted, it will slot above the DB9. Kind of the successor to the Vanquish?

I was thinking that too, but the Vanquish was recently refreshed, wasn't it?

Was the Vanquish a 2+2 coupe or a 2 seater?
How about the DB9 too, a 2+2 or a 2 seater?

[Jack_Bauer]

Was the Vanquish a 2+2 coupe or a 2 seater?
How about the DB9 too, a 2+2 or a 2 seater?

The DB9 is a 2+2. I believe the Vanquish could be specified as either a 2 seater or a 2+2.