This is the most powerful Aston Martin ever made
Talk about going out with a bang. The final run of Aston Martin DBS models will be the most potent in the British brand’s 110-year history.
With 770 PS (759 hp) the DBS 770 Ultimate is aptly-named. Its 5.2-liter, quad-cam, 60-degree V-12 is fed by twin turbochargers as in the standard DBS, however modified air and ignition pathways and a seven percent increase in turbo boost free up an extra 50 horses. If you want to talk torque, the DBS 770 Ultimate throws down a mighty 664 lb-ft which is available from a barely-above-idle 1800rpm through to 5000 revs. Drive goes via an eight-speed ZF automatic which has been recalibrated for faster shifts, and a mechanical limited slip differential is fitted to the rear axle.
Despite the extra go, stopping power is provided by the same carbon ceramic brakes as the standard DBS, with 410 x 38 mm discs up front and 360 x 32 mm units at the rear. A new solid mounted steering column is installed to improve feel through the wheel, which is further enhanced thanks to a 25 percent increase in front end lateral stiffness. The car’s adaptive damping system gets a unique damper tune and some software tweaks to dial up body control, but without ruining the ride quality.
Distinguishing the 770 Ultimate from lesser DBS models are a range of body mods for aesthetic and functional benefit. The clamshell hood has an unusual horse shoe vent and two new outboard vents in the front splitter which feed more air into the V-12. Carbon fiber features extensively in the cantrail, windscreen surround, mirror caps, fender louvres, side sills, and the exclusive rear diffuser. Wheels are 21-inch designs heavily influenced by the rims of the Valkyerie and Victor and come in silver, black and diamond-turned finishes, shod with Pirelli P Zero tires. All in all, in the dark and moody images at least, the result is a more menacing, aggressive Aston.
Hop inside and you’ll find seats trimmed in semi-aniline leather and Alcantara, exposed carbon fiber for the center console and shift paddles, plus a rather superfluous strap and buckle atop the center armrest. Laser etched DBS 770 Ultimate logos and limited numbering also appear. Beyond this customers can also call Aston Martin’s Q branch and order up a wide range of personal touches from different fabrics to additional graphics, maybe even bullet-proofing and a smoke screen.
“When an iconic model generation reaches the end of production it is important to mark the occasion with something special,” explains Chief Tehnology Officer Roberto Fedeli. ” In the case of the DBS 770 Ultimate, we have spared nothing in ensuring the final version of our current series production flagship is the best-ever in every respect. Not only is it the fastest and most powerful DBS in our history, thanks to a comprehensive suite of improvements to the transmission, steering, suspension, and underbody structure; it is also the best to drive.”
The Ultimate follows a sequence of DBS specials, from a handful of Zagato models to the 007-cash-in No Time To Die edition. Just 449 DBS Ultimates will be built, of which 300 will be coupes and 199 Volantes, and they’ve already sold out, so whatever premium Aston is charging over the $333,000 price of a standard DBS clearly didn’t concern anyone.
