Aston Martin DBS (2008) CAR review

But it’s the same V12 engine

Yes, but reworked with bigger inlet ports and a higher 10.9:1 compression ratio to lift power from 450bhp to 510bhp. Torque remains the same at 420lb ft and is directed through the same six-speed Graziano manual ’box and out to the rear wheels via a shorter 3.71:1 final drive. It pulls hard from as low as 1500rpm in sixth gear and sings lustily through an exhaust system incorporating Aston’s usual trick bypass valves. But even with the valves open as the revs pass 3500rpm, the music is never obtrusive.

So with all that power and without all that weight it’s got to be a 200mph supercar...

Er, not quite. Will you settle for 191mph? That’s 5mph more than you’d be able to coax from a regular DB9 and the 0-62mph sprint falls from 4.7sec to 4.3sec. Not slow, but Ferrari’s 599 (similar layout and price) offers over 600bhp and hits 62mph in just 3.7sec. The DBS feels quick, clearly, but not shatteringly so. What strikes more is the amount of torque on offer, the kick in the back at mid-range speeds being far beyond what the spec-sheet suggests.