Chris Harris drives the new flagship Aston Martin, the DBS. Is this car more than an upgraded DB9? Chris finds out. For more Aston Martin news and reviews visit www.autocar.co....
Chris Harris before he got ruined by Top Gear! More of this please Mr Harris. DBS is still a great looking car, and the new DBS only reminds you just how superb this version was. I'd have this over the new one any day of the week.
I think the DBS look fantastic! i just think that especially with the V12 Vantage in the range that as a halo car they should have giving it 610hp and gone after the 599. in the same way that the vanquish went after the 575. there just isnt enough power...hell what doesnt have 500hp these days.
So true about our car shows but this guys is nowhere near as boring and stiff. He's no Clarkson but he's witty and they actually drive the car on real roads, hard. Brits should be proud of the DBS. It's a masterpiece, well-placed just below the 599 but above everything else. I plan to own one.
This has to be easily one of my favorite cars of all time. At first i didn't car much about it but then i heard the noise and i was hooked. British engineering at its best or auto engineering at its best in general well done Aston martin
Aston martin dbs specs 6.0 v12 510 hp and 420 lbs torque 0-60 4.1 seconds 1/4 mile right around 12.3 to 12.4 seconds at 118 mph top speed 191 mph to almost 192 mph
These three companies are BIG BIG names in the Racing buisiness... Race spec modifications of the same AVT V12 6.0 litre that is in the DBS right now have won the GT1 Lemans endurance 2 times in a row, the SP 10 (On the first shot) , and multiple other competitions public and Private. Now the DBS spec AVT is actually extremely well suited for the type of high speed driving you mentioned you do in your 540... Let me explain...
Its too bad they don't make Astons with a manual gearbox anymore, I love the paddle shifts on cars, but I feel like the manual suited the Aston's character much better....
@SportsCarFan823 It has V12 with 510 HP carbon ceramic breaks, pirelli tyres specially designed for the DBS, Carbon Fibre Body its noise is louder than a ferrari , This car does 191 miles per hour about 308 Km per hour it goes from 0-60 miles/h in 4.0 seconds, 0-100Km/h in 4.0 this car is the one of the best GT-Supercar in the world along with the Masarati GT and the Ferrari California But the DBS is way ahead! I mean its not a Pagani or a bugatti but NOT A SUPER CAR! Thats madness!
5th gear? u kiddin. this guy actually knows something about the cars he drives. i love top gear because its so much fun these days and thats about it. but this is how a proper car show should be like. very informative reviews
It is the best looking car in production to me. The Vantage V12 would be right behind it. If you own that car... I can't imagine anyone complain about owning anything else. The outside of it is just a visual masterpiece. For every bit that makes it better than a DB9, I'd take it.
As mentioned by Jeremy Clarkson in TG don´t look at it as being a DBS. Consider it a DB9-S where every bit is a little bit better. As for the price tag, it depends on how much you are willing to pay 50k more. Looks amazing imo, every day in it wolud give me a huge smile.
Sure, thanks too, but once again this issue of ford engine comes up.... yes, this engine debuted in 1998 and was dervied from the Ford Duratec 3.0 V6 ( exactly 2 of them) tuned by Cosworth, and put into the Project Vantage Concept car and then a year later in to the DB7 Vantage V 12... But first of all this engine has been around for 11 years now .. suppose thats something. Then before finally apearing in the DBS you see today it was reworked by Prodrive, Cosworth and Aston Martin Racing
The great thing about cars like these is that they depreciate like mad. No, they'll never be cheap, but if this car is anything like supercars of the past, there'll be used ones for sale at hal the price within the next year or two. Within a decade, they coule be within a reasonable range for more people.
This is essentially a DB9 that goes half a second faster to 60 looks far more agressive is filled with carbon fibre brakes icredibly and handle excuisitly but main thing it's been on 007 and although it shouldn't matter it just does... its bonds car.
Well, I personally just like the exclusiveness of a V12 car, so I'd wait a decade or so until DB9s and DBSs will be in the $85,000 range. You do make a good point, though. A V8 Vantage would be just as much fun, if not more, than a DB9 or DBS, and is much better bargain at this time.
Well trident3b, I think it should be compared to stock competition, and in fact the only competitors I see for this car in it's range are The Mercedes SLS AMG which has similar performance (with the Mercedes accelerating harder at first due to the DCT and the Aston taking it later (Longer Gears), and the 612 Scaglietti, which has similar performance to the new DB9, but costs as much as a DBS.
Could you please explain how (having the steering wheel on the right side) is easier? And I clearly said "even the Aston is British" to empower my suprisement.
No. Clarkson also could not really see how its price is really justified in comparison to a DB9 as he said the DBS was a outstanding long-distance tourer but so was a DB9. He concluded that he thought of it more as a DB9S rather than a DBS.
While this car certainly exemplifies performance, it is more of a high end GT (road use, fun, relatively long distance capable, and, most importantly, comfortable) car. IMO, a true GT should have a reasonable back seat (unless it's a 2 seater gt). It's supposed to be a fast, easy-to-drive, and more comfortable offering from a brand. A coupe is more like a F430, 911 S, etc. While the performance coupe are the Scuderia, GT2/3 that are stripped down, more difficult to drive, and strictly power.
This engine (Unlike most AMG forced induction) and BMW M (High reving) engines is Naturally aspirated with a low redline of 7000 RPM. HOWEVER it is extremely torquey, and at just 1500 RPM delivers 85% of the 570 Nm torque(485Nm)!!! The M6 by comparison develops only 520, for which you need to rev the engine to a whopping 6100 RPM, while 450 of these is available only at 3500 RPM. For these reasons the DBS has very little engine and clutch wear compared to other GTs.
DB9 base price here in Queensland is $276K, tack another $65K on for a DBS.. that says ouch... mind you the local dealer here said he sold 6 (!!!) DB9's and DBS last June alone.. What money crisis? Frugal me would settle for a DB9, might have bit of a sook about it, but... ;)
Let's clarify what we mean by better?? I think this is better all-around than almost anything because if I had the money to buy either I would buy the DBS. Now the R8 might very well handle better with its AWD system, and it might be quicker or faster. To me, however, that does not make it BETTER. Your thoughts..
Yeh, the guy in the vid does have a point. I love this car, its my fav actually at the moment, and by a huge margin, but its tooo similar to a DB9. Which technically isnt a bad thing, I love DB9s aswell, but, as the top dog aston, and the fact u can buy (new) one almost exactly like it for two thirds the price. Would piss me off a lot
i dont know if even audi could get away with it. now they have "s-line" to denote sport packages. the "S" models completely drop the "A". A4=S4. Usually adding an S to the end of a car is more like an upper trim level with bigger wheels, brakes and faster engine like the porsche 911 vs. porsche 911 s. I think aston martin made this while they're developing a true flashing (aka vanquish #2).
There's an Aston dealer 5 minutes down the road from my house, and I sometimes take a detour through it to gape at the cars... I was lucky enough to stop by when they were moving a DBS - they turned it on in the showroom and man, it sounded goooooood.
@fi7thy, this is their job! They are like film critics only with cars. They are meant to tell us about the faults with supercars, as we will never really get a cahnce to find them for ourselves. If someone like Chris Harris or Jeremy Clarkson did a review with them in the car going wow! constantly, it wouldnt be a very good review.
I love the car, but why does he always read the spec from a sheet, what about remembering the stats long enough to not have to look. Otherwise great review
That was the point of the review. is it better than a DB9? Certainly, I mean the DB9 back seats offer next to zero leg room, so that's not an argument. The question is: Is it 48000 Pounds better?
Who really cares if he looks at a peice of paper for some of the facts, it shows he doesn't try to justify himself by silly figures but rather showing a good passion for cars with his clear and competant opinions.
2020! This car still looks amazing 😍
2017..still looks great! superbbbb
There are a lot of great looking cars in the world, but NO CAR is better looking than an Aston Martin!!! Gorgeous!!
I would have to agree, other then some ferraris and a few others.
And that exhaust note!!! Brings tears of joy, doesn't it?
That is an amazing car. It set a similar lap time to the Pagani Zonda on the TopGear lap.
Chris Harris before he got ruined by Top Gear! More of this please Mr Harris. DBS is still a great looking car, and the new DBS only reminds you just how superb this version was. I'd have this over the new one any day of the week.
16 years later this car still the prettiest of the modern Aston's
Too right mate.
Bloody epic, legendary even, brand of cars...
I really want at least one in my lifetime.
just passing through 13 years later :))
I love it, that's why I bought one!
Good for you. How is it to own and drive an Aston Martin DBS in real life compared to the review of Chris'Harris.
Same, I've had mine a month now. Love it!
+David Shaw Lucky lad jk!
I think the DBS look fantastic! i just think that especially with the V12 Vantage in the range that as a halo car they should have giving it 610hp and gone after the 599. in the same way that the vanquish went after the 575. there just isnt enough power...hell what doesnt have 500hp these days.
So true about our car shows but this guys is nowhere near as boring and stiff. He's no Clarkson but he's witty and they actually drive the car on real roads, hard.
Brits should be proud of the DBS. It's a masterpiece, well-placed just below the 599 but above everything else.
I plan to own one.
this car deserves only 720p or higher quality...
That is the most beautiful car on the planet.
This has to be easily one of my favorite cars of all time. At first i didn't car much about it but then i heard the noise and i was hooked. British engineering at its best or auto engineering at its best in general well done Aston martin
Aston martin dbs specs
6.0 v12 510 hp and 420 lbs torque
0-60 4.1 seconds
1/4 mile right around 12.3 to 12.4 seconds at 118 mph
top speed 191 mph to almost 192 mph
Oh my giddy aunt that v12 is just glorious even in 2024 this is the best aston martin ever !!!
One of my favourite cars today. I only wish if it had the LED day time headlights on the front like the Vantage.
These three companies are BIG BIG names in the Racing buisiness... Race spec modifications of the same AVT V12 6.0 litre that is in the DBS right now have won the GT1 Lemans endurance 2 times in a row, the SP 10 (On the first shot) , and multiple other competitions public and Private. Now the DBS spec AVT is actually extremely well suited for the type of high speed driving you mentioned you do in your 540... Let me explain...
I had the opportunity to drive....just an amazing car!
the sound, the comfort...unbeatable!
Its too bad they don't make Astons with a manual gearbox anymore, I love the paddle shifts on cars, but I feel like the manual suited the Aston's character much better....
GT3austin what on earth are you own about? The vantage v12 s is manual
Isnt this Chris Harris from Drive which every1 loves? why is every1 hating him
@SportsCarFan823 It has V12 with 510 HP carbon ceramic breaks, pirelli tyres specially designed for the DBS, Carbon Fibre Body its noise is louder than a ferrari , This car does 191 miles per hour about 308 Km per hour it goes from 0-60 miles/h in 4.0 seconds, 0-100Km/h in 4.0 this car is the one of the best GT-Supercar in the world along with the Masarati GT and the Ferrari California But the DBS is way ahead! I mean its not a Pagani or a bugatti but NOT A SUPER CAR! Thats madness!
5th gear? u kiddin. this guy actually knows something about the cars he drives. i love top gear because its so much fun these days and thats about it. but this is how a proper car show should be like. very informative reviews
It is the best looking car in production to me. The Vantage V12 would be right behind it.
If you own that car... I can't imagine anyone complain about owning anything else. The outside of it is just a visual masterpiece. For every bit that makes it better than a DB9, I'd take it.
If it looks a lot like DB9, how comes that I don't like DB9 and DBS is one of my favourite cars?
+Tony Borisov Maybe you like the added aggression?
Exactly, same to me. Looks much better.
youre gay
As mentioned by Jeremy Clarkson in TG don´t look at it as being a DBS. Consider it a DB9-S where every bit is a little bit better. As for the price tag, it depends on how much you are willing to pay 50k more. Looks amazing imo, every day in it wolud give me a huge smile.
Somehow I like the DBS more than the Vanquish
I love his car reviews! Better driving than Clarkson, just as entertaining and very informative.
I saw one DBS today!The rear lights are awesome...I also have taken a video of it...planning to post it soon..:-)
11 years later :))
@@LewisWebster ,wow! :)
Pure beauty
I asked the dealer two days ago about the manual transmission and he said "after 07 they only come in Touchtronic", appreciate your opinion thx.
Sure, thanks too, but once again this issue of ford engine comes up.... yes, this engine debuted in 1998 and was dervied from the Ford Duratec 3.0 V6 ( exactly 2 of them) tuned by Cosworth, and put into the Project Vantage Concept car and then a year later in to the DB7 Vantage V 12...
But first of all this engine has been around for 11 years now .. suppose thats something. Then before finally apearing in the DBS you see today it was reworked by Prodrive, Cosworth and Aston Martin Racing
I really like this guy, he makes me feel a bit better about being a car nerd. and i want his job.
It is the DBS.
check the number plate - same car that he driove it in. Its a press car so you may well see it in other reviews too.
this is absolutely the most beautiful car ever...
your definitely right Chris, we're both think its not appropriately a rival to the 599 but rather to the 575M Maranello... at least in my mind...
The great thing about cars like these is that they depreciate like mad. No, they'll never be cheap, but if this car is anything like supercars of the past, there'll be used ones for sale at hal the price within the next year or two. Within a decade, they coule be within a reasonable range for more people.
14 years later, this comment don't age well...🤔
seeing this in 2016.
Venkatesh M seeing this the last day of 2016
Seeing this in 2021
the videos are on TH-cam. it's not difficult to find out.
id buy that in a heartbeat
True that. I love Aston Martins
the 2007-present Aston Martin DBS is assembled in
Gaydon, England
i think the key thing is kinda tight. ive never used it but everyone complains about it. idk
i lthink this guy gave a cool review. very detailed and opionated
if u had to choose between a DBS and Vantage v12 for daily use what would it be? why?
This is essentially a DB9 that goes half a second faster to 60 looks far more agressive is filled with carbon fibre brakes icredibly and handle excuisitly but main thing it's been on 007 and although it shouldn't matter it just does... its bonds car.
Well, I personally just like the exclusiveness of a V12 car, so I'd wait a decade or so until DB9s and DBSs will be in the $85,000 range. You do make a good point, though. A V8 Vantage would be just as much fun, if not more, than a DB9 or DBS, and is much better bargain at this time.
Over 10 years later, Manual DBS's are now going for over 200k lol
Well trident3b, I think it should be compared to stock competition, and in fact the only competitors I see for this car in it's range are The Mercedes SLS AMG which has similar performance (with the Mercedes accelerating harder at first due to the DCT and the Aston taking it later (Longer Gears), and the 612 Scaglietti, which has similar performance to the new DB9, but costs as much as a DBS.
Those looks and that sound goes far enough to forgive the trivial shortcomings. What other car is available with a V12 and a proper manual gearbox?
He's not being a fanboy, he's pointing out things that are wrong with the car. And he seems to know what he's on about.
question to the forum which model astin martin did james bond drive?
Could you please explain how (having the steering wheel on the right side) is easier?
And I clearly said "even the Aston is British" to empower my suprisement.
POWER, BEAUTY, SOUL!
No. Clarkson also could not really see how its price is really justified in comparison to a DB9 as he said the DBS was a outstanding long-distance tourer but so was a DB9. He concluded that he thought of it more as a DB9S rather than a DBS.
While this car certainly exemplifies performance, it is more of a high end GT (road use, fun, relatively long distance capable, and, most importantly, comfortable) car. IMO, a true GT should have a reasonable back seat (unless it's a 2 seater gt). It's supposed to be a fast, easy-to-drive, and more comfortable offering from a brand. A coupe is more like a F430, 911 S, etc. While the performance coupe are the Scuderia, GT2/3 that are stripped down, more difficult to drive, and strictly power.
this looks sooo much better. its not all about performance.
Beautiful car Iove it
This car is GORGEOUS
The pricing was a very smart move by Aston. More than the DB9 less than the 599.
This engine (Unlike most AMG forced induction) and BMW M (High reving) engines is Naturally aspirated with a low redline of 7000 RPM. HOWEVER it is extremely torquey, and at just 1500 RPM delivers 85% of the 570 Nm torque(485Nm)!!! The M6 by comparison develops only 520, for which you need to rev the engine to a whopping 6100 RPM, while 450 of these is available only at 3500 RPM. For these reasons the DBS has very little engine and clutch wear compared to other GTs.
DB9 base price here in Queensland is $276K, tack another $65K on for a DBS.. that says ouch... mind you the local dealer here said he sold 6 (!!!) DB9's and DBS last June alone..
What money crisis?
Frugal me would settle for a DB9, might have bit of a sook about it, but... ;)
Is this paint with red flakes called storm black or jet black?
Let's clarify what we mean by better?? I think this is better all-around than almost anything because if I had the money to buy either I would buy the DBS. Now the R8 might very well handle better with its AWD system, and it might be quicker or faster. To me, however, that does not make it BETTER.
Your thoughts..
absolutely agree, anyways there is not much uk brands left that belongs to the uk.
Sound is a killer
when hes describing the back does he say " FU$%^ed" up lights?
3:42 *shiver*
Yeh, the guy in the vid does have a point. I love this car, its my fav actually at the moment, and by a huge margin, but its tooo similar to a DB9. Which technically isnt a bad thing, I love DB9s aswell, but, as the top dog aston, and the fact u can buy (new) one almost exactly like it for two thirds the price. Would piss me off a lot
@bugattilover100 Nah that would be the One-77 if you're looking at production cars, followed by the V12 Vantage and then this.
i dont know if even audi could get away with it. now they have "s-line" to denote sport packages. the "S" models completely drop the "A". A4=S4. Usually adding an S to the end of a car is more like an upper trim level with bigger wheels, brakes and faster engine like the porsche 911 vs. porsche 911 s. I think aston martin made this while they're developing a true flashing (aka vanquish #2).
check out top gear's run around the track in 1 by the stig - you may be surprised
its just a nice everyday car to drive around i think
I would choose the V8 Vantage because you can't put all that power down on a daily drive. If between V12's I would choose the DBS.
How can you take the 599 over this?
There's an Aston dealer 5 minutes down the road from my house, and I sometimes take a detour through it to gape at the cars...
I was lucky enough to stop by when they were moving a DBS - they turned it on in the showroom and man, it sounded goooooood.
Damn, I want this car...
@fi7thy, this is their job! They are like film critics only with cars. They are meant to tell us about the faults with supercars, as we will never really get a cahnce to find them for ourselves. If someone like Chris Harris or Jeremy Clarkson did a review with them in the car going wow! constantly, it wouldnt be a very good review.
what color was it...im going up to chicago soon
Chris Harris is a legend !
my civic with nos would kill it!!!
I'm kidding, what a gorgeous car.
Go to 3:38 to hear the amazing engine rev!
this has nothing to do with this video, but the new ZR1 is AWESOME!
engineering ingenuity!
I love the car, but why does he always read the spec from a sheet, what about remembering the stats long enough to not have to look. Otherwise great review
The V12 Vantage for no practical reason other than that I like the way it looks better
That was the point of the review. is it better than a DB9? Certainly, I mean the DB9 back seats offer next to zero leg room, so that's not an argument. The question is: Is it 48000 Pounds better?
sounds awesome but he's right... it looks like a db9 thats been to Halfords.
I'd still have one though ;)
Should've called it the DBS9 instead. Everyone can see it's been derived from the regular DB9 anyway.
Best looking car ever
Exept the headlights are to big.
Need a better engine to.
Who really cares if he looks at a peice of paper for some of the facts, it shows he doesn't try to justify himself by silly figures but rather showing a good passion for cars with his clear and competant opinions.
@apoelg So a "DBS s" version, that would be sick... although I would rather put in the 6.5L V12 from the Lamborghini
Warm it up Chris! I'm about to. Because that's what I was born to do.
This chap is good, he should present topgear.
a DBS, appearently, according to other shows, is more of a GT car. Which I'd honestly rather have =P
great!
I saw one today
if this car have the 6.3 amg sls engine and the dual clutch gearbox and less weight it will be the ultimate car !........
I would still go with the db9.
Well personnally i loooove this car