Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate: ‘an emphatic last word’

Published: 14 April 2023 Updated: 14 April 2023

► Run-out edition with 759bhp
► Bespoke looks and tech tweaks
► 499 examples – all sold out

It’s game over time for the current generation of Aston Martin DBS – but the firm’s flagship production car isn’t going down without shouting about it. As a special treat for the last of the line customers, Aston has created this DBS 770 Ultimate edition, which cranks up the looks while becoming the most powerful production Aston Martin ever.

For while Aston has crazier creations – and they don’t come much crazier than the Valkyrie hypercar – Gayden has never previously put anything this extreme through the regular build process. Just 499 examples of the Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate will be built, split between 300 Coupes and 199 Volante roadsters (below), and they are all already accounted for.

How powerful is the Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate?

Upgraded with new air intake and injection ‘pathways’ and a not insignificant seven per cent increase in boost pressure, the 5.2-litre quad-cam 60-degree twin-turbo V12 in the DBS 770 Ultimate produces 759bhp (770ps) and 664lb ft of torque.

Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate, rear view, studio

Maximum power arrives at 6500rpm, while maximum torque drops like some kind of colossal slab at 1800rpm and hangs around until 5000rpm. Leading us to strongly suspect that the 3.4sec 0-62mph time (3.6sec for the heavier Volante) does little justice to how brutish this topflight Aston really is.

Indeed, 0-100mph in the Coupe takes just 6.4sec (6.7sec for the Volante).

Flat out, both versions will achieve 211mph (as per the standard cars), while new software for the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission delivers faster shift speeds. Carbonfibre gearshift paddles are fitted as standard.

It looks a bit… beastlier?

Doesn’t it. Changes at the front lead with improvements to ‘thermal management’ rather than just for the sake of appearances. The new ‘horseshoe’ vent in the bonnet, for example, helps pull more air through the radiators.

At the same time, the new front splitter incorporates additional vents – and the change in aero here is balanced out by a larger diffuser at the rear.

Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate horseshoe bonnet vent for improved engine cooling

There’s plenty of external carbonfibre, too, but perhaps the most striking visual aspect of the DBS 770 Ultimate is the alloy wheel design. These new 21s are inspired by those fitted to the one-off Aston Martin Victor. Customers can choose from three standard finishes, or go all Q division and have them – and much of the rest of the car – done totally bespoke.

On the inside there are Sport Plus Seats, beautifully trimmed, with unique features including the strap and buckle arrangement on the centre armrest.

Is the new DBS 770 Ultimate more than just a power play?

The extra engine performance is supported by a number of other modifications. These range from a new ‘solid mounted’ steering column to revised calibration for the adaptive damping system.

The lateral stiffness of the stiffness of the front end has been increased by a substantial 25 per cent, while the thicker rear undertray that contributes to this also helps balance things out along the length of the car, which is three per cent torsionally stiffer overall.

Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate interior showing steering wheel

The changes are all intended to improve the driver’s connection to the car, and through the car, the road – without compromising the DBS’s grand-touring capability.

A mechanical LSD is also standard, while the existing DBS carbon-ceramic brakes remain untouched as they were deemed powerful enough.

How much does the Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate cost?

The Coupe is yours from £314,000, the Volante is priced from £337,000. But if you’re getting one you presumably already know this as the DBS 770 Ultimate is completely sold out.

Production is scheduled to start in Q1 2023 (so, before the end of March), with first customer deliveries expected in autumn 2023.

By Jake Groves

CAR's deputy news editor, gamer, serial Lego-ist, lover of hot hatches

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