2011 Aston Martin DBS Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Write a review$268,660 to $282,295
Original MSRP
--
expert review
avg user rating
(0 reviews)
The Aston Martin DBS was originally positioned as an all-new car, a replacement for the Vanquish that bowed out in 2006. No one was buying it, and the automotive world recognized it for what it was – a hopped-up version of the DB9. Small changes peppered around the entire architecture added up to some big differences, making the DB9 nearly obsolete or at least definitively second rate. More small changes come to the DBS for 2011, including swanky glass switchgear and some software upgrades, but otherwise you’ll find the same asphalt-eating monster that’s been prowling the roads the last five years.
Software changes come in the form of tweaks to the tire-pressure monitoring system as well as the Bluetooth microphone, the latter addressing complaints heard from owners. While the DBS and DB9 share the same 6.0-liter V12 and generally the same structure, the small tweaks in the DBS make a big difference. Carbon fiber is found throughout the DBS, and the V12 carries 40 extra horsepower here. The chassis has been tuned as well as the steering. Again, small changes, but they all add up to a 60-mph sprint that happens a half-second faster than in the DB9. Of course, you can pay more than $100,000 extra for a DBS versus a DB9 depending on options, so that can be an expensive half-second. But with a starting price that already skirts $270,000, what’s another hundred grand or so?
The convertible version – dubbed the Volante – is even more dear at $282,000, but it does come with a power soft top and hard tonneau cover. Neither version wants for features, with standard equipment like an adaptive suspension, carbon-ceramic brakes, leather and alcantara and a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The expected luxury features are all here as well, with hard-drive navigation, xenon headlights, parking sensors and Bluetooth.
The DBS' major caveat, barring its exorbitant price, is the automatic transmission. While manual shift is possible, it’s not the best setup on the market and not up to the DBS’ pricetag. The 6-speed manual is a far superior choice, with a light clutch pedal and direct shift engagement that has a decidedly mechanical feel.
All the usual driver aids are present, from traction and stability control to a limited-slip differential, all of which intervene only when necessary and with the most graceful of interruptions. The DBS allows you to sow your wild oats without ending up faceplanting in the field.
For a true Grand Touring machine that can actually perform when you feel a bit of the hooligan creeping up your spine, you can’t do much better than the DBS. Of course, for the price you’d be disappointed if it didn’t. The SLS-AMG or the Ferrari California will deliver just as well, but not any better. For the money, you simply need to choose which car you’d rather be seen driving.
User reviews for 2011 Aston Martin DBS
Write a reviewWhat users have asked
Top Comparisons
2011 Aston Martin DBS Pricing
Trims & specs
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: jack · 6 disc in-dash CD · AM/FM radio · Sirius Satellite Radio · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 13 · 700 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 14.0 · Front brakes: carbon ceramic disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.0 · Rear brakes: carbon ceramic disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: front center · Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: leather · Door trim: simulated carbon fiber · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Interior accents: Alcantara · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Ashtray: with lighter · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: with lighting · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 3 driver · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · 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 · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated
Header
Option Delete: Generic
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Safety
Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: front
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bench · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: suede
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
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): rear · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Speed Rating: Z · Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: composite
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 10
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: remote operation
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 · Total Number of Speakers: 5 · 700 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 14.0 · Front brakes: carbon ceramic disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.0 · Rear brakes: carbon ceramic disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: front center · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: simulated carbon fiber · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Interior accents: Alcantara · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Ashtray: with lighter · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: with lighting · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: vehicle and key memory · One-touch windows: 2 · 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 · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Paint: special factory paint · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated
Header
Option Delete: Generic
Headrests
Adjustable rear headrests: integrated headrests · Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Roof
Convertible roof: soft top
Safety
Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Upholstery: carbon fiber
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
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): rear · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Speed Rating: Z · Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: composite
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 10
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: remote operation