Aston Martin DB12 debuts seven years after the premiere of DB11 and is more of a development of previous ideas. When viewed from the rear, it is possible to distinguish a new car only thanks to the “Aston Martin” inscription on the trunk lid, but there are more changes in front: the area of u200bu200bthe radiator grille has increased by 56%, and the headlights are now matrix. The distance between the axles is the same (2805 mm), but the front track has become wider by 6 mm, and the rear by 22 mm. The exterior mirrors are now frameless and create less drag, the British add.
However, the most interesting thing about DB12 is inside. Under the hood, there is no alternative to a 4.0-liter V8 from Mercedes, the return of which, due to new cam mechanisms and a cooling system, an increased compression ratio, as well as larger turbines, was brought to 680 hp. With. and 800 Nm. For comparison, on the DB11, he developed only 510 hp. With. and 675 Nm, and the 5.2-liter V12 of the previous generation car produces 608 hp. With. and 700 Nm.
The engine is paired with an 8-speed ZF “automatic” with the main pair increased from 2.93: 1 to 3.083: 1 (it is also stated that the gears switch somewhat faster), but the principle of transmitting torque to the wheels is different. Instead of “self-blocking”, the DB12 has an electronically controlled differential lock, and a smart stabilization system with four modes, one of which is “ESP Off”, is responsible for dosing traction. According to the British, even in the most “strict” mode, the system interferes with the management extremely delicately, without interfering with driving pleasure.
Compared to a mechanical differential, the new technology is much faster and more accurate, Aston Martin says. There are five modes in the driving electronics menu (Wet, GT, Sport, Sport + and a separate preset for individual settings).
The declared curb weight has increased from 1760 to 1788 kg (1765 kg for the DB11 with V12), but a more powerful engine in conjunction with a modified transmission does their job: the acceleration time to “hundreds” is reduced to 3.7 s, and the maximum speed is 325 km /h This is much more than the eight-cylinder DB11 (299 km / h or 309 km / h in the late 535-horsepower version), but less than the top-end DB11 AMR (639 hp, 700 Nm; 334 km / h).
The British explain the prefix “super” not only by an increase in dynamics, but also by a more accurate “taxiing”. Thanks to additional struts in the engine compartment and along the lower body, torsional rigidity has been increased by 7%. The DB12 also has a new electric power steering (2.4 turns lock-to-lock; gear ratio is constant – 13.09:1), which is designed to make feedback even more transparent. The suspension scheme with the front “double-link” and the “multi-link” at the rear is the same, but the anti-roll bars are made stiffer in order to more effectively dampen rolls.
Although the DB12 comes stock with 21-inch wheels instead of 20-inch wheels, each one is 2kg lighter. For the new Aston, Michelin has developed a special version of the Pilot Sport 5 S tires in sizes 275/35 R21 for the front axle and 315/30 R21 for the rear. The sidewalls of the tires are marked “AML”. As standard, steel brake discs with a diameter of 400 mm in front and 360 mm in the rear are installed, for an extra charge carbon-ceramic will be offered, which can withstand temperatures up to 800 ° C and is also 27 kg lighter.
The interior is completely new, although it is made according to the old “2 + 2” formula: only the electric seat adjustment blocks located on the central tunnel look identical. The tunnel itself is located more sloping, instead of the buttons for switching transmission modes, there is now a non-fixed lever. The touch display of the multimedia system is no longer bulging on the front panel, but is located under the ventilation nozzles: its diagonal is 10.25 inches. Multimedia supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and can be updated “over the air”, and the response time of the touch screen is 30 ms. The dashboard display of the same size replaced the tricky scheme with a digital “well”.
The “stuffing” of MBUX was again provided by the Germans, but Aston Martin completely redrawn the interface. The British pay attention to the large number of analog keys and switches: innovation by innovation, but the company insists that Aston must remain tactile. The interior is trimmed with fragrant natural leather from Bridge of Weir, and not only the “biturbo-eight” is responsible for the soundtrack, but also the Bowers & Wilkins audio system with 15 speakers: the British refused to cooperate with Bang & Olufsen.
Deliveries of the new DB12 to customers will begin in the third quarter of 2023, starting at £185,000. Next in line is the open DB12 Volante and the track special version, and over time, a modification with slightly increased recoil will surely appear.
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