More than 300 pounds lighter than the Vanquish, the liberal use of carbon fiber body panels allowed DBS designers more flexibility on form and shape, allowing them to 'wrap' the body over the wheels and tires. And yes, all those snarky vents and ducts are functional, delivering air where it's needed most.
Beneath the 20-inch alloys lie gigantic carbon-ceramic rotors, ultra-light discs gripped by massive six-piston calipers in the front and four-pots in back. They came in handy when we saw speeds that would make the autobahn jealous. But they were quick-lived spurts; I hammered these binders until they were a dull red, repeating the exercise a few hundred times.
I woke up at 4:30 a.m. the next morning and began to pace about the hotel room. I had told the Aston crew I'd need a car for sunrise photography. And no, I didn't need a driver/assistant. I lied. I simply wanted to spend more time behind the wheel of this fantastic machine, bask in the warm glow of the instrument panel, listen to its engine purr, feel the heft of its glowing crystal key. That the DBS is incredibly quick and agile is almost beside the point. I needed to bond with this machine, thump my chest and remember why it rules to be a man.
2008 Aston Martin DBS
-Layout
Longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive
-Engine
6.0-liter V12, dohc, 48-valve
-Transmission
Six-speed manual
-Suspension
Independent double wishbones, coil nsprings, monotube adaptive dampers, anti-roll bars, Adaptive Damping System (ADS) with Track mode
-Brakes
F: Six-piston calipers, 15.7-inch carbon ceramic rotors
R: Four-piston calipers, 14.2-inch carbon ceramic rotors
-Dimensions
Length/Width/Height (in.):185.9/75.0/50.4
Wheelbase: 107.9 in.
Curb Weight: 3,713 lb
-Performance
Peak Power: 510 hp @ 6500 rpm
Peak Torque: 420 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm
0-62 mph: 4.3 sec.
Top Speed: 191 mph
-What we like:
God-like engine, drop-dead styling, outstanding handling
-What we don't:
Intrusive center console, funky door handles
The Price Tag
$265,000 H