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The Aston Martin DBS was Aston Martin's flagship from 2007-2012 and from 2018 onwards. Like the Vanquish the DBS was mainly built to compete against Ferrari's V12s, however unlike the Vanquish, it has generally received positive reviews

The V12 DBS was an update of the DB9, featuring slightly more power and slightly faster speed. It also featured a six-speed manual gearbox, tyres by Pirelli and a £50,000 price increase from the DB9. The Superleggera DBS, on the other hand, was a completely different car from the DB11. Despite having the same interior yet costing significantly more than the DB11, it featured an all new body, significantly more power, and significantly higher top speed.

Jeremy Clarkson is the only presenter to have thoroughly reviewed the DBS. While he praised, the original V12 stating it was significantly better than the DB9, he had mixed feelings regarding the Superleggera feeling that it was not worth more than the DB11. Richard Hammond purchased a DBS Volante in 2009 but later sold teh car in 2011

Appearances[]

  • In Series 10, Episode 7, Jeremy reviews the V12 DBS at the Top Gear Test Track, questioning it's marketing as a thoroughbred, being slower than the Vanquish S, having a stupid key and costing £50,000 more than a DB9. Despite this, in the studio, he concludes the DBS was the best car he drove in 2007, for being better in every way than a DB9, despite Richard and James protesting. The Stig, drove the DBS round the track, setting a time of 1:23.9, (1:27.5 in the damp).
  • In Series 11, Episode 1, the DBS takes part in the supercar fuel tank race conducted by Jeremy. Despite being one of the slower cars, it was the second to run out of fuel.
  • In Series 11, Episode 2, Richard Hammond moved the DBS and the V8 Vantage from the "Sub Zero" section of the Cool Wall into the "Uncool" section, due to those cars being purchased by footballers, including Wayne Rooney, who was mentioned to have crashed his Aston Martin.
  • In Clarkson: Thriller, Jeremy adores the DBS for being excitement and thrill, praising its thrilling steering, carbon-ceramic brakes, high profile tyres and amazing traction control.
  • In Clarkson: Duel, in a showdown between Top Gear vs Fifth Gear, Jeremy races the DBS Volante against Vicky Butler-Henderson in the Ferrari California. Despite having a 3-second penalty, the DBS manages to keep up with the California and both cross the line in a dead heat.
  • In Series 14, Episode 1, Jeremy chose the DBS Volante against Richard in the Ferrari California and James in the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder, while searching for the Tranfagarrissen Highway. Despite his two colleagues pointing out, that the DBS was more expensive, yet slower and less economical than there cars, Jeremy adored the DBS, stating it was one of the best cars in the world.
  • In Series 15, Episode 1, in his review of the Bentley Continental Supersports, Jeremy states for £170,000 he would rather own the DBS.
  • In Series 17, Episode 2, the DBS is featured in James' review of the Virage where it takes part in a drag race against the latter and a DB9.
  • In Sea To Unsalty Sea, Clarkson uses the DBS Superleggera on a grand tour from Georgia to Azerbaijan against Hammond in the latest Bentley Continental GT and May in the new BMW 8 Series. Despite praising its speed, handling, comfort and styling, Clarkson concludes that the DBS, was not worth more than the DB11, due to its scary nature and similar interior. Both he and Hammond agree that the Continental was the best car.
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