The Aston Martin DB12. Grand tourer with sharper tech and more edge

Aston Martin DB12 brings a 4.0?liter twin?turbo V8 and a reworked chassis into the GT segment, positioned as a "Super Tourer" above the DB11. The Aston Martin Lagonda stock (ISIN GB00BN7CG237) benefits from this product line.

The Aston Martin DB12 sits low on the gravel outside a glass dealership, its wide front grille catching the morning light like polished armor. You notice the subtle heat shimmer from its 4.0?liter V8 after a test drive, and product chief Roberto Fedeli talks about turning grand touring into something more focused and precise.

From DB11 successor to "Super Tourer"

Aston Martin Lagonda presents the DB12 as the successor to the DB11, but the positioning is more aggressive: the brand calls it a "Super Tourer" rather than a classic grand tourer, aiming at drivers who want long?distance comfort and high?speed capability in one package. The car uses a Mercedes?AMG?derived 4.0?liter twin?turbo V8 tuned to around 680 PS and 800 Nm, a clear performance step over the DB11 V8 according to launch information.

The DB12 sends power to the rear wheels via an 8?speed automatic transmission and features an electronic rear differential, a first for Aston’s core GT line. Roberto Fedeli, Aston Martin’s Group Chief Technology Officer, points to the differential and revised suspension as key factors in improving precision while keeping ride comfort acceptable for long days behind the wheel.

Chassis, brakes and dynamics

The DB12 uses an updated bonded aluminum structure with increased stiffness versus the DB11, which Aston Martin frames as necessary to support higher lateral loads and the electronic differential. Adaptive dampers are standard and tuned with more range between comfort and sport modes, letting drivers feel a clear change in steering weight and body control when they twist the driving?mode selector.

Brake hardware consists of large steel discs with multi?piston calipers, and carbon ceramic brakes are offered as an option on higher?spec configurations according to specialist reports. On a short drive route, test drivers describe the initial brake bite as firm but predictable, with more feedback through the pedal than in the DB11 thanks to revised calibration. There is still a layer of refinement that reminds you this is meant to cross countries, not just mountain passes.

Interior and infotainment overhaul

Inside, the DB12 marks one of the most visible generational shifts for Aston Martin’s GT cabin. The layout still centers on a wide central console, but the integration of a new in?house infotainment system replaces the previous Mercedes?sourced interface and is a major talking point among testers. The 10.25?inch display sits slightly canted towards the driver, with crisp graphics and touch response that feels closer to a modern smartphone than the outgoing system.

The manufacturer highlights a new connected services suite with over?the?air update capability, meaning Aston can refine navigation, audio features and some vehicle functions remotely. Smartphone integration includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the DB12 offers a dedicated Aston Martin app for remote locking, vehicle status checks and location services in select markets. Product manager Alex Long points out that for many buyers, daily usability through intuitive menus matters as much as raw horsepower figures.

Materials, seating and tactile impressions

The tactile experience remains central in the DB12. Soft leather on the steering wheel edge warms quickly under your hands, while the cool feel of brushed metal on the shift paddles contrasts with the grain of open?pore wood on the dashboard, depending on the chosen trim. Aston Martin offers multiple interior themes, ranging from classical tan and walnut combinations to more technical finishes with Alcantara and dark anodized accents.

Seat design has evolved to offer more lateral support than in the DB11, with integrated headrests and pronounced shoulder bolsters that hold you better during brisk cornering. Nonetheless, testers report that the padding still allows a comfortable ride over long journeys, and the seat controls are easy to reach, minimizing fidgeting before finding a suitable driving position. The rear seats remain more suitable for shorter trips or smaller passengers, as is typical for GTs of this size.

Driver assistance and safety

Aston Martin equips the DB12 with a more complete suite of driver assistance systems than its predecessor, reflecting tighter regulatory expectations in key markets. Features include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance and traffic sign recognition, although exact equipment can vary by market and trim level. The car also offers a 360?degree camera system to help with low?speed maneuvering, valuable when parking in tight city spaces given the DB12’s width.

Importantly for a car in this performance bracket, Aston does not turn the DB12 into a semi?autonomous cruiser. The assistance systems are tuned to support the driver rather than take over, and reviewers note that lane keeping interventions feel measured rather than overly intrusive. In practice, most DB12 buyers are expected to use the assistance primarily on highways and busy ring roads rather than on favorite B?road routes.

Performance figures and real?world impressions

Official performance data place the DB12’s 0?100 km/h sprint at just over 3.5 seconds, depending on specification, with a top speed around 325 km/h according to manufacturer communications and independent tests. The torque curve of the twin?turbo V8 delivers strong mid?range thrust, making overtakes on country roads feel brief and controlled if you have enough visibility.

On road, specialist reviews describe a car that feels more tightly tied down than the DB11, yet still supple over uneven asphalt. Steering feedback has improved, with more sense of the front axle’s grip levels through the rim and quicker response as you turn in, helped by a broader front track and revised suspension geometry. The result, in practice, is that the DB12 lets its driver carry higher speeds with similar effort, which is important for a GT aimed at owners who move between cities and regions regularly.

Design evolution and aerodynamics

Visually, the DB12 keeps the long?bonnet, short?rear?deck proportions that define Aston Martin’s front?engine GT line, but the surfaces show more tension and sharpness than the DB11. The front grille is larger and more upright, the headlights are slimmer, and the hood features pronounced lines that catch shadows differently as the sun moves, emphasizing the car’s width.

Aston Martin notes that aerodynamic revisions, including a reshaped splitter, underbody work and rear diffuser, contribute to stability at high speed without adding large wings or spoilers. The car uses subtle aero devices that owners may barely register at first glance but which matter when driving at autobahn velocities. Exterior designer Miles Nurnberger has spoken in interviews about finding an honest balance between drama and functional efficiency, keeping the DB line recognizable while pushing it forward.

Wheels, tires and customization

The DB12 launches with several wheel designs, typically in 21?inch diameters, and tires developed with suppliers to match the car’s "Super Tourer" goals. Some configurations favor comfort and lower road noise, while others prioritize grip and sharper response, available through Aston’s customization channels and Q by Aston Martin programs for more individual builds.

Buyers can choose brake caliper colors, exterior paint from standard and special palettes, and interior stitching patterns that subtly change the atmosphere in the cabin. For many customers, the experience of working with Aston’s configuration specialists is part of the purchase journey, where they see paint samples under different light and feel leather options before finalizing their car. Those tactile choices help explain why GT buyers often spend significant time in showrooms, even when they have driven comparable performance elsewhere.

Launch markets and pricing context

The DB12 initially targets major GT markets such as the United Kingdom, continental Europe, the Middle East and North America. Pricing data from UK sources put the car’s starting price in the region of £185,000 including local taxes for base specifications, with customer cars beginning deliveries after the formal launch. Exact pricing varies by country due to import duties, equipment levels and local regulations.

Positioning slightly above the DB11 aligns with Aston Martin’s strategy of increasing average selling prices and improving margins on core sports car and GT lines. Chairman Lawrence Stroll has repeatedly emphasized in interviews that product renewal and richer specifications are essential to strengthen the financial profile of Aston Martin Lagonda, and the DB12 is one of the first visible outputs of that approach.

Role in Aston Martin portfolio

Within the wider line?up, the DB12 sits alongside high?performance models such as the Vantage and the SUV DBX, but it serves a different use case. It targets buyers who want to combine long?distance ability with expressive design and strong performance, often using the car for weekend trips or regular travel between business locations rather than purely track days.

The DB12 also acts as a halo for the GT part of the range. Specialist press coverage links it to future electrified or hybrid offerings as Aston Martin transitions towards new powertrain technologies over the next years. Although the DB12 itself uses a conventional V8 combustion engine, its electronics, software platform and connected features lay groundwork for smoother integration of upcoming drivetrains.

Financial angle and Aston Martin Lagonda stock

For investors, the DB12 is relevant because it combines higher pricing, updated technology and a familiar GT format that existing Aston customers understand. That mix can help stabilize revenue streams as new models arrive and older ones phase out, especially if demand holds in key regions. The Aston Martin Lagonda stock (ISIN GB00BN7CG237) is listed in London and reflects expectations for how such products support the company’s turnaround narrative.

Key facts: Aston Martin DB12

• Product: Aston Martin DB12
• Manufacturer: Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc
• Category: Accessory/Spare part (GT sports car platform context)
• Market launch: 2023, with customer deliveries starting later that year
• MSRP / Price: Starting around £185,000 in the UK market depending on specification
• Availability: Available in key GT regions including UK, Europe, Middle East and North America
• Target group: Buyers seeking a high?performance grand tourer with long?distance comfort and modern connectivity
• Highlight / USP: Combination of "Super Tourer" positioning, 4.0?liter twin?turbo V8 and new in?house infotainment platform