In 1948, Formula One was in only its second season, with Luigi Villoresi and his Maserati dominating the event in a series of races that pootled around France, Italy, Great Britain and a few other countries. That year also saw the birth of the Aston Martin DB1. Today, 75 years later, the F1 calendar is a 22-race global roadshow with Aston Martin now a major force, led by Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. How times have changed.
In what must be a marketing executive’s dream, Aston Martin’s success on the F1 track coincides with the launch of the DB12, a car that marks a significant new chapter for the storied British manufacturer. The world’s first super tourer replaces the beloved DB11 and is – says Aston Martin HQ – purer, bolder, fiercer. Put simply, it has a bigger engine. The imposing DB12 has a top speed of 325kmh, covering 0-100kmh in a teeth-rattling 3.6 seconds thanks to its 4.0 V8 twin-turbo.
With its beefy rear end that is reminiscent of Roberto Carlos in his heyday, the DB12 has an intimidating presence. The eye-catching front grille underneath the heightened nose is 58 per cent larger than the DB11 because more performance equals more heat and a need for greater cooling.
But, as always with Aston Martin, whatever power is packed under the bonnet, the element of luxury is never sacrificed. Climbing into a snug cockpit lined with leather and a blaze of technology, the DB12 lets its guard down and provides a stylish welcome. As we depart from The Maybourne Riviera hotel in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin near Monaco, the DB12 invites admiring glances as it coaxes us along, imploring us to squeeze the throttle.
A quick spin of the rotary control in the central console takes us through the driving modes. Sport and Sport + are nail biting, but for the 350km of winding roads that make up the Napoleon Route in the south of France, the smoother GT configuration seems the appropriate choice.
An all-new suspension system featuring intelligent adaptive dampers, electronic rear differential and bespoke 21-inch Michelin Pilot 5S tyres helps the car glide along this famous old route in Provence. A highly responsive electronic power assisted steering system gives the feeling of confidence, encouraging you to take corners with the precision of Fernando Alonso at Circuit de Monaco.
Julian Nunn is chief designer of GT cars and special projects at Aston Martin. He’s been at the company for a decade but feels the brand has been enjoying a golden era in recent months. “There’s a buzz about Aston Martin now, it’s so exciting,” he tells Esquire Middle East. “We’re now moving at pace with a clarity, and the F1 team is doing very well – all the hard work is being harvested.”
The DB12 also carries an updated Aston Martin badge and name font, something that Nunn describes as a “massive step forward”. Traditionalists need not worry, the new logo is only a subtle tweak by legendary graphic designer Peter Saville that refines the famous feathers while giving the name more legibility and modernity. If you produce a car that looks this good, you want people to know who made it at a glance.
Despite the breathtaking power and performance that radiates from the car, the DB12 still maintains a dignity and class that reminds you this is a British car. It’s proof that ultra-luxury and high performance doesn’t have to be shouty and gaudy. Nunn explains, “This car is calm, elegant, and sophisticated. It’s about evolution not revolution. We have evolved with the latest tech and design languages as much as we can without alienating the current customer while also looking for new customers – it’s very important to strike that balance. I think we’ve hit on a good formula for our future.”
The tech Nunn mentions is viewed on a touchscreen equipped with the same resolution as an Apple iPhone while using similar scrolling menus which most drivers will find comfortingly familiar. Coupled with the new Aston Martin app, the DB12 is the brand’s first connected car. Elsewhere, bespoke Bowers & Wilkins speakers with stunning stainless steel grilles have been designed with the DB12’s interior shape in mind to provide maximum clarity.
While Rolls-Royce and Bentley score highly on luxury, leaving Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren to battle it out in the performance sector, Aston Martin’s new vision sees them aiming to plant a foot in both camps. With the DB12 that reinvents the GT category, they may have achieved just that.
The DB12 is available Q3 2023, priced at approximately AED 865,000.