DBS
The Aston Martin DBS is a four-seat grand tourer whose name first appeared in 1967 on a fastback designed by William Towns. Intended to replace the DB6, the original car initially used Aston Martin’s 3,995cc inline-six before the new Aston Martin V8 became available in 1969. After a lengthy absence, the DBS name returned in 2007 on a V12 coupe related to the DB9, followed by the open-top DBS Volante in 2009. Aston Martin revived the badge again in 2018 with the DBS Superleggera, positioned as an especially high-performance grand tourer. The ScanRacer catalogue therefore spans the principal recorded periods from 1967 to 2019, covering the classic DBS, the modern DBS coupe and Volante, and the Superleggera family. (astonmartin.com)
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Variants by year
Make: Aston Martin · Model: DBS
5 / 5 versions shown
2019
2018
2009
2007
1967
Aston Martin DBS photos
Model summary
Data from the ScanRacer library, organized to compare versions quickly.
Model introduction
The Aston Martin DBS is a four-seat grand tourer whose name first appeared in 1967 on a fastback designed by William Towns. Intended to replace the DB6, the original car initially used Aston Martin’s 3,995cc inline-six before the new Aston Martin V8 became available in 1969. After a lengthy absence, the DBS name returned in 2007 on a V12 coupe related to the DB9, followed by the open-top DBS Volante in 2009. Aston Martin revived the badge again in 2018 with the DBS Superleggera, positioned as an especially high-performance grand tourer. The ScanRacer catalogue therefore spans the principal recorded periods from 1967 to 2019, covering the classic DBS, the modern DBS coupe and Volante, and the Superleggera family. (astonmartin.com)
History
Unveiled at Blenheim Palace on September 25, 1967, the first DBS represented a clear styling break from earlier Aston Martins. William Towns gave it a sharper, more angular appearance, a fastback rear and a rectangular grille, while retaining the role of a four-seat grand tourer. The V8 originally intended for the car was not ready, so early examples used the DB6’s inline-six in standard or Vantage form. The DBS V8 was announced in September 1969 and brought alloy wheels and ventilated disc brakes among its notable changes. Production of this first period ended in 1972. (astonmartin.com) The DBS name returned in 2007, when Aston Martin revealed a new V12 coupe at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Sold from 2008, it used the DB9-related VH architecture but added wider bodywork and extensive carbon-fibre panels. The DBS Volante, the first open-top DBS, followed in 2009. Production of both coupe and convertible ended in 2012 after the arrival of the Vanquish. In 2018, the DBS Superleggera revived the badge with a 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 and a more overtly performance-focused character. (caranddriver.com)
Generations
The word “generation” is not used consistently for the DBS, but three historical periods can be identified. The first is the 1967–1972 DBS designed by William Towns. It remained a front-engined four-seat coupe and was offered first with an inline-six, then with Aston Martin’s V8. Aston Martin lists this car separately from the AMV8 that followed it in the company’s heritage timeline. (astonmartin.com) The second period began with the DBS revealed in 2007 and produced through 2012. This was a modern V12 coupe related to the DB9, with more aggressive styling, VH architecture and carbon-fibre body panels. The DBS Volante was its open-top derivative, introduced in 2009. (caranddriver.com) The third period started in 2018 with the DBS Superleggera. Aston Martin described it as an all-new car that combined the DBS name with the historic Superleggera designation associated with Touring. In the supplied catalogue, this period includes the Superleggera and the 2019 Superleggera Volante. It is therefore safer to describe it as a new model generation or a new interpretation of the badge than to assume that Aston Martin used one single formal generation system for every DBS variant. (astonmartin.com)
Key differences
The main differences between DBS variants are structural and historical. The 1967–1972 DBS has an angular four-seat body, an inline-six followed by a V8, and a visual identity very different from later cars. The 2007–2012 DBS uses a 6.0-litre V12, DB9-related VH architecture, carbon-fibre body panels and carbon-ceramic brakes. Depending on the model year, it was available with a six-speed manual gearbox or the Touchtronic 2 automatic transmission. (astonmartin.com) The Volante retains the coupe’s broad mechanical identity but replaces the fixed roof with a power-operated soft top. The DBS Superleggera moves the nameplate into a more extreme category, using a 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 and a positioning Aston Martin described as a high-performance Super GT. The Superleggera Volante adds an open-top body to that later interpretation of the DBS formula. (astonmartin.com)
Photo recognition
A 1967–1972 DBS can be identified by William Towns’s angular fastback shape, rectangular grille and four round headlamps. Early cars used wire wheels, while the DBS V8 gained specially designed alloy wheels and ventilated brakes. These details are useful clues, although parts may have been changed during the life of a classic car. (astonmartin.com) The 2007–2012 DBS has a lower, more muscular profile, side vents, a broad Aston Martin grille and large-diameter wheels. Carbon-fibre body panels and carbon-ceramic brakes are associated with the model, but neither feature alone proves a particular model year. The Volante is immediately distinguishable by its retractable soft top. The 2018–2019 Superleggera has more sculpted bodywork, a larger grille and more pronounced aerodynamic detailing. For dependable identification, the chassis number, factory plate and original documentation should take precedence over visual clues alone.
Important versions
The 1969 DBS V8 is a major historical variant because it finally received the all-alloy V8 originally intended for the model, making the DBS one of Aston Martin’s early production cars to combine that engine with the new body. The 2007–2008 modern DBS marked the return of the name after a 35-year gap; its 6.0-litre V12, carbon-fibre panels and role in Casino Royale made it especially recognisable. The 2009 DBS Volante is significant as the first open-top DBS. The 2018 DBS Superleggera and 2019 Superleggera Volante represent the contemporary revival of the badge, pairing a 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 with Aston Martin’s most performance-oriented grand-touring interpretation of the name. (astonmartin.com)
References
- DBS & DBS V8Aston Martin
- Introducing the new DBS Superleggera: two illustrious names; one magnificent Super GTAston Martin
- Aston Martin DBS & DBS Volante (2007–2012)Aston Martin
- 2008 Aston Martin DBS: First Drive ReviewCar and Driver
- 2009 Aston Martin DBS Automatic: ReviewCar and Driver
- https://www.carcollectorinternational.com/research/buyers-guides/aston-martin/dbscarcollectorinternational.com
- https://classics.honestjohn.co.uk/reviews/aston-martin/dbsdbs-v8/classics.honestjohn.co.uk
Technical specifications
Structured data available for versions linked to this model.
| Version | Power | Torque | Top speed | Drivetrain | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 380 KW @ 6500 RPM517 HP @ 6500 RPM510 BHP @ 6500 RPM | 420 lb-ft @ 5750 RPM569 Nm @ 5750 RPM | 191 mph (307 km/h) | Rear Wheel Drive / 6-speed manual | Gasoline |
Frequently asked questions
- What years was the Aston Martin DBS produced?
- ScanRacer's referenced versions cover 1967 - 2019.
- How many Aston Martin DBS examples are documented on ScanRacer?
- 17 published scans from 12 members, with the latest photo added in September 2026.
- What is the power output of the Aston Martin DBS?
- The sourced technical data lists 380 KW @ 6500 RPM517 HP @ 6500 RPM510 BHP @ 6500 RPM.
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