2010 Aston Martin DBS Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Ah, the car that Bond built. Originally produced during a 6-year run between ’67 and ’72, and featured in the ’69 James Bond film, "On Her Majesty’s Secret Service," the Aston Martin DBS started with some hefty heritage. The modern version, originally unveiled in the 2006 Bond film "Casino Royale," made its official debut at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in mid-August of that year. It was the first Aston Martin to feature carbon-ceramic brakes and was based heavily on the DB9.
However, thanks to its 2-seat layout – as opposed to the DB9’s 2+2 configuration – and liberal use of aluminum, magnesium-alloy, and carbon-fiber body panels, the DBS Coupe weighs in at almost 150 pounds less than the DB9. In fact, the DBS set another first for the British manufacturer, as the first Aston Martin to utilize carbon fiber in its body. That’s not to minimize the weight savings of those carbon-fiber brakes, however, which alone reduce unsprung weight by almost 25 pounds.
But let’s be honest, James Bond doesn’t care about losing weight – James Bond wants power and style and precise lethality, and the DBS can provide at least two of those three. For now, let’s deal with power. The DBS gets its punch from the same 6.0-liter V12 as the DB9, with a 40-hp shot for a total of 510 hp. It’s available a bit later in the rev range – 6,500 rpm, as opposed to 6,000 for the DB9 – but will you notice? Even with torque dropping to a still-brutal 420 lb-ft at 5,750 rpm instead of the DB9’s 443 at 5,000, the DBS will get from 0-60 mph in just over 4 seconds. This is helped by a Sport mode available only in the Coupe that accelerates both shifts and throttle response. It’s absent in the Volante, and as a result the convertible is noticeably slower. In fact, testers have noticed some pretty disturbing body flex in the convertible, something Bond would certainly never tolerate.
As for style, the DBS is a bit of a toss-up. Sure it’s gorgeous both inside and out, with every available interior surface covered in leather or Alcantara, but should form be wholly separate from function? Audio and climate controls are a mess of identical buttons and dials, some of which feature an annoying delay in operation. It’s enough to turn off testers, and certainly enough to get Bond killed while he fumbles for the right doohickey. For more than a quarter-million dollars – not to mention Britain’s most famous secret agent – we expect better.
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2010 Aston Martin DBS Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · USB auxiliary audio input · 6 disc in-dash CD · AM/FM radio · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · 700 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 15.7 · Front brakes: carbon ceramic disc · Rear brake diameter: 14.2 · Rear brakes: carbon ceramic disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: leather · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: carbon · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
Limited slip differential: rear
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Headlights: HID
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Safety
Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Parking sensors: rear
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: premium leather · Upholstery accents: faux suede
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone · Stabilizer bar(s): front · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Speed Rating: Z · Type: performance
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · 6 disc in-dash CD · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · 700 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 14.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.0 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 3 driver · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
Limited slip differential: rear
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Mirror color: body-color
Headrests
Adjustable rear headrests: integrated headrests · Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power
Safety
Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Upholstery: premium leather
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone · Stabilizer bar(s): front · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Speed Rating: Z · Type: performance