2008 Aston Martin DBS Review
June 22, 2008 by Matt Brogan
Pulling up is equally as impressive, and important, as any other performance figures listed. The DBS does this with ease, thanks to large carbon ceramic brakes, which are a no cost option. Rotors are 398mm up front, only 2mm smaller than Bugatti’s Veyron, with six piston calipers and 360mm rears running four pot stoppers, and separate, servo actuated park brake caliper. The pedal feel is progressive, positive and extremely quick to react.
Adaptive suspension technology is beginning to be seen more and more throughout higher end performance cars and presents itself in many guises, and with varying degrees of success. The Aston Martin system is one of the best I’ve experienced to date and not only provides superb handling characteristics and high speed stability, but is also instantly switchable between modes. I don’t mean that it gradually firms or softens either, I do stress – instantly.
It’s a highlight feature of the car and coupled with a three tier (on/track/off) traction control system means a DBS buyer can be assured of the car’s set up in any application, be it a high speed cross country cruise, day at the track, or an evening jaunt to the opera.
That beautiful body isn’t just there for beauty’s sake either with each panel and vent designed to purpose. Air flow is maximised in areas where cooling and downforce is required, and minimised in others to reduce air turbulence and drag. A combination of several different materials including composites, alloys and traditional steel all play their part in the DBS’s tremendously rigid and purposeful structure.
Weight saving and rigidity gains were at the forefront in the car’s design ideals and as shape restriction was not an issue, the body was able to be sculpted artistically over the 20″ super light-weight alloy wheels. The overall outcome then is a body possessing not only unparalleled beauty, but enhanced strength, purposeful application and advanced technology.
Finishing the body work, with such a range of materials underneath, was certain to be a challenge for the painters, especially over the composite areas where traditionally air bubbles can create tiny pin holes in the primer coat allowing distortion and disparity in the finishes’ continuity. The engineers at Aston Martin would not allow this and instead developed a patented ‘Surface Veil’ process which uses the appliqué of a fine self leveling epoxy to the surface before painting to ensure Aston’s trademark mirror finish.
Very well written and thank you for going the extra extra mile in producing this story
What an awesome read, felt truly involved, and what an awesome machine. Thanks guys.
excellent story guys!!! pleaseure to read. As much as i love this car i cant help but think of what else i could get for that kinda money……….
I’m sure you could get plenty of things, but I doubt they would be as much fun.
Did anyone notice the stitching on the console wasn’t straight. Tee Hee.
Great read folks. Most can only drean at driving such machines. The hard work is obviously paying off.
Awsome car, arguably the nicest car on thr planet. British of course, Ooooh I’m so proud. Pity no diesels though, Tee Hee again.
Fellas,
Fantastic in every way, the Aston, the writing and the photography justified why you were the first to drive it in Australia.
I also appreciated the high res picture of the Mack Titan, its now my wallpaper, also a magnificent machine, it doesn’t have quite the sheet metal work but it has more power and and is more reliable than any Aston! I hope you appreciate that a road train cannot safely or feasibly leave single road bitumen to accommodate others, its not a choice the drivers have.
Thanks for the great review, now I’m waiting for the new RS4 review when they get around to releasing the car!
Nice Nice Nice,
Although that gearknob reminds me of future Biff’s (Back to the future) silver fist walking stick for some reason… :S
I still prefer a 599gtb any day….good story guys!
Funny how the anti-spam word was Ferrari!
What an epic journey and an epic car. An amazing article guys, I thoroughly enjoyed the read, even while I was suffering from a gargantuan case of jealousy. Good work.
Five stars across the board, wouldn’t expect anything less.
FANTASTIC in all every way, For me the best looking car made right now. Just amazing
GREAT CAR. GREAT STORY.
Great Review…
I’d hate to be hitting Potholes in one of those. How would the Aston Reps react to a scratch on the paint? 7 layers of Hand Crafted repair.
Also, someone must have been constantly polishing the car with all that red dirt around.
Doesn’t the Veyron’s steering wheel take something like 1½ weeks for one guy to stitch together? You get what you pay for I guess…
Awesome car and great pics!
Good review. Dream car! (Next to the R35 GTR!)
Been for a ride in this car. One word.
Faultless!
This is the car which I always dream of. Great pics, Its professional image
Very well written and the photographs are amazing.
Not only did it give a good comprehensive review of the car, but it felt as if i was being told an old story of a legend.
Thank you
What a wank of a story…. “Ohhh it takes months of preparation for a story like this”….
What you mean you can’t just pack a ute up with all the spares and food and camping gear and drive the whole lot out there – take a few pictures and then come back?
Oh nooooooo…
And the road trains have to swerve off a single lane road into the ditch to make way for a spoon fed twat like you?
Sure…
Yep – the highlight of my life is to drive a rolling piece of artwork; that will look like some time warp relic just like the supercars from 20 years ago….
Parts, spares and servicing – ridiculously expensive.
Most of the really rich people drive plain second hand cars… and tossers like you blow all their income on junk like this.
QED.
Just because you drive a flash car you think you own the road guss what —-head you don’t. Those road trains are worth more than those cars, besides that, just because you have your head that far up your —- you couldn’t read the road sign. you have to get off the road but then your PRETTY cars & tyres dirty. Wake up to yourself and think about why thay don’t get off the road. Do you really think that a 110tonne road train is go’n to move off the road and probably crashing for a what a 2.5t car RIGHT!!!!