Aston Martin DB12 by Aston Martin Lagonda - grand tourer pushes performance and comfort

The Aston Martin DB12 stands low and wide on the gravel in front of the test hangar, its front splitter still dusted with fine white powder from the last acceleration run. A light heat shimmer rises from the bonnet as product development director Roberto Fedeli runs a hand along the sharp crease above the wheel arch, talking quietly to the dynamics team.

Grand tourer with supercar numbers

Aston Martin DB12 replaces the DB11 in the brand’s GT line?up and is marketed as the world’s first super tourer, combining long?distance comfort with supercar?level performance. Under the bonnet sits a 4.0?liter twin?turbocharged V8 sourced from Mercedes?AMG but re?engineered by Aston Martin’s powertrain unit. The engine delivers around 680 PS (approximately 671 bhp or 500 kW) and 800 Nm of torque, driving the rear wheels via an 8?speed automatic transmission.

From a standing start the DB12 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in about 3.5 seconds, and its top speed is quoted at roughly 325 km/h, placing it clearly in the supercar performance bracket while keeping a GT layout. Aston Martin’s own data emphasize not only straight?line speed but also repeatability, with cooling and driveline hardware tuned for extended high?speed cruising on European motorways. Official Aston Martin DB12 model page

Chassis, brakes and tyres

The Aston Martin DB12 uses an evolution of the bonded aluminium architecture seen on its predecessor, but Aston Martin reports a torsional stiffness increase of around 7 percent thanks to changes in underbody bracing and engine cross members. Adaptive dampers with a wide range of settings are controlled by a new electronic stability and drive mode suite, including Wet, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ presets plus a dedicated Individual mode. This allows drivers to mix softer damping with sharper powertrain response or the other way around.

Braking hardware on the DB12 includes large steel discs as standard, with carbon?ceramic brakes available as an option, designed to cut unsprung mass and improve fade resistance for customers who use their cars on track days. Aston Martin has partnered with Michelin to develop a bespoke Pilot Sport 5 S tyre specification for the DB12, focusing on high?speed stability and feedback rather than raw lap times. On a warm, slightly damp test morning the tyres leave dark, slightly feathered streaks on the asphalt as the car transitions from heavy braking into a long right?hander. Top Gear DB12 first drive review

Interior, infotainment and comfort

Inside the Aston Martin DB12, the driver faces a new digital instrument cluster and a central 10.25?inch touchscreen running Aston Martin’s latest in?house infotainment software. Unlike previous models relying heavily on older Mercedes interfaces, DB12 hardware and software have been substantially reworked by Aston Martin’s own HMI team, led by product manager Alex Long. The system supports over?the?air software updates, integrated navigation and smartphone mirroring functions.

The cabin mixes hand?stitched leather, Alcantara and metal trim pieces, with the horizontal dash line broken by a slim vent strip and physical switches for key drive functions so that basic operations do not disappear into touchscreen menus. On a night run through rural Warwickshire, the ambient lighting casts a muted pale turquoise glow on the stitched seams while the soft?close doors shut with a distinct, carefully tuned thud. Car and Driver DB12 reveal article

Electronics, driver aids and connectivity

Driver assistance systems on the Aston Martin DB12 include adaptive cruise control, lane?keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition and blind?spot monitoring, reflecting regulatory standards in major markets while trying to remain unobtrusive for enthusiastic drivers. A suite of parking aids and a 360?degree camera system supports low?speed maneuvering in narrow city streets or tight country hotel car parks. Aston Martin also offers connected services, including remote status checks and vehicle tracking via a smartphone app in selected regions.

According to interviews with Aston Martin executives, including chairman Lawrence Stroll, the company assigns the DB12 a key role in attracting new clients who expect modern digital convenience as much as handcrafted materials. Stroll’s wider strategy combines performance?focused product renewal with a push into lifestyle partnerships and F1?linked brand visibility, and the DB12’s technology package is tuned to fit that image. Reuters report on DB12 launch

Pricing, positioning and availability

Aston Martin positions the DB12 as its core GT product between its mid?engined and SUV offerings, replacing the DB11 while sitting above the Vantage in price terms. In the United Kingdom, early indications and dealer information place the DB12’s starting price in the range of roughly £185,000 before options, although final configurations can push transaction prices significantly higher. Markets in continental Europe and North America receive similar positioning, adjusted for local taxes and import duties, while right?hand?drive examples target buyers in the UK and other RHD regions.

European deliveries of the Aston Martin DB12 began after its 2023 unveiling, with the first customer cars reported on the road by late summer 2023. Production continues at Aston Martin’s Gaydon facility, where assembly lines are configured to accommodate a variety of paint colors and trim combinations, including bespoke Q?by?Aston Martin commissions for clients who request unusual materials or color schemes. For German buyers, official information and ordering pathways are provided through Aston Martin’s German?language websites and local dealer network rather than mass?market retail channels. Aston Martin DB12 German market information

Context, strategy and stock

For Aston Martin, the DB12 is more than a single model; it serves as a visible signpost of the brand’s renewed focus on performance and design after a period marked by financial restructuring and leadership changes. As Lawrence Stroll’s team refines the line?up and pushes for higher margins, a well?received GT with high personalization potential helps stabilize customer demand and supports pricing discipline. In recent quarters, analysts have cited the DB12 among the key products underpinning Aston Martin’s transition toward a more consistently profitable luxury manufacturer, especially when viewed alongside its SUV and mid?engined projects. On Xetra, the Aston Martin Lagonda stock (ISIN GB00BN7CG237) reflects investor expectations for this product family and the broader turnaround plan.