Aston Martin DB12: Super tourer coming in the fall

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For the British brand’s 110th birthday and the 75th anniversary of the legendary DB series, something very special is allowed: That’s why Aston Martin is modestly calling the new Gran Turismo DB12, which will go on sale in the fall, as a super rover.

In addition to the Bentley Continental GT, the Aston developers referenced the 620hp Ferrari Roma and McLaren GT each – but got 60bhp more than their engines’ competition from the four-liter biturbo V8. The DB12’s 680 hp and a maximum torque of 800 Nm at 2750 rpm corresponds to an enormous performance increase of 34 percent compared to the DB11. The DB12 accelerates to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds and continues to a top speed of 325 km/h.

Bigger turbo, more cooling

The secret behind the performance boost? Larger turbochargers with additional coolers. A new low-temperature cooler together with the water circuit of the intercooler ensures that the intake air does not get too hot. Temperature equalization also features significantly larger body openings than on the DB11, so more fresh air can flow around the V8 engine. In addition, the additional oil cooler is now twice as large. To ensure the smooth operation of the temperature change, the hot air exits through the two nostrils in the hood.

Inside the engine, a sharper camshaft and modified compression provide additional power. In addition, the final ratio of the eight-speed gearbox has been shortened. The DB12 is also the first vehicle in the DB model series with an electronic rear axle differential. It goes from fully open to 100 percent locked in milliseconds. In addition to new adaptive shock absorbers and stiffer stabilizers that allow for a wider range of adjustments, the torsional rigidity of the elegant aluminum body has also been increased by seven percent.

Mercedes says hello

With its wide, slightly raised center console and a sloping 10.25-inch touchscreen, the interior is a pleasant departure from the ambiance that reminds us of Mercedes with every move. Five predefined driving modes can be selected, from Eco to Sport and Sport Plus attack programmes, with a classic rotary knob located just in front of the auto-guided lever. ESP also offers four different levels and can be completely disabled on the racetrack if needed. The infotainment system manages over-the-air updates and the same integration of the smartphone via Apple Carplay or Android Auto.

The Aston Martin DB12 will hit dealers in the third quarter of this year. Its price has not yet been determined, but it should be based on the price of the competition and therefore start at around 200,000 francs.

Source: Blick