It’s not everyday that you hear news of an Aston Martin launch in India — you stop what you’re doing, stand up, and take notice! Just a few months after its global unveil, the Aston Martin DB12 has been launched with a rather eye-watering price tag of Rs 4.59 crore (ex-showroom). The DB12 replaces the DB11, which had been around since 2016, and Aston Martin likes to call the DB12 “The World’s First Super Tourer.”
One look at the Aston Martin DB12 and you’ll agree that it wouldn’t look out of place in a James Bond movie. The DB12 gets a much larger grille, redesigned headlamps with the brand’s new DRL signature, along with a reshaped splitter. The front and rear tracks of the DB12 have now grown wider, by 6 mm and 22 mm respectively. The side profile is clean and sophisticated without the use of any dramatic cuts and creases. This is further complemented by 21-inch forged alloy wheels and frameless ORVMs, the latter of which is said to improve the aerodynamic profile of this car.
Now let’s look under the hood. No surprises here, really because it is the AMG-sourced 4-litre twin-turbo V8. However, the output figures have been bumped up now, with this engine producing 670 bhp and 81.5 kgm of torque, paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The DB12 can cover a 0-96 kmph run in 3.5 seconds, maxing out at a top speed of 325 kmph, which we doubt most customers will see even the half of, unless you somehow happen to be driving on the NATRAX. The V12 that used to be on offer in the DB11 seems to have been dropped entirely. The suspension setup is new, featuring adaptive dampers, and Aston Martin has also equipped the DB12 with an electronic rear differential.
The interiors of the Aston Martin DB12 are completely new as well, and are upholstered in ‘Bridge Of Weir’ leather, along with alcantara treatment on certain places and carbonfibre in the centre console. The instrument cluster and infotainment screens are both 10.25-inch units. Obviously, the Aston Martin DB12 receives smartphone connectivity and the set of features associated as such, and it’s nice to see that the Brits have retained physical buttons for chassis and exhaust settings, along with other functions such as ESP, lane assist, and parking assist. It also receives a new navigation system that will let you look up a restaurant, read its reviews and choose it as your destination, along with 3D mapping and satellite view.
If you have deep enough pockets, we are sure you must also be looking at the Ferrari Roma and the Bentley Continental GT as worthy contenders. But seriously, just take a look at the Aston Martin DB12 in person, please!
