Is the Aston Martin DBS as Good as It Looks?

The connection between James Bond and Aston Martin over the years has continued to be successful for both brands. Just take a look at the cars:

• The DB5 in “Goldfinger”, “Quantum of Solace” and “Golden Eye” (which recently sold for over $4 million)
• The DBS in “On Her Majesty's Secret Service”
• The Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante in “The Living Daylights”
• The V12 Vanquish in “Die Another Day”
• The DBS in “Casino Royale” and “Quantum of Solace

When the Aston Martin DBS burst on the scene in the movie “Casino Royale”, the world was enthralled with this newest beauty. The press, enthusiasts and even film buffs couldn’t get enough of the British super car.

But Aston only makes a small number of these fine automobiles. That exclusivity led some to dull their enthusiasm, thinking the car was as too unobtainable. A few even questioned whether the car was as good in person as it was on the big screen, snickering that its reputation was built on a fictional character.

A recent weekend in a 2010 DBS presented an opportunity to see how much substance was behind all that style. The old questions rolled through my mind. Was the car as exciting today as it was when it exploded on the international scene? Would the DBS be “all hat and no cattle”?

John Eagle European Aston Martin of Austin provided a stunning DBS special edition convertible for a media test drive weekend. The “Carbon Black” paint shimmered in the Hill Country’s October sunlight, giving the car a “Hollywood” shine. Instantly smitten, it was hard to keep my cool while completing the requisite paperwork. The Aston was dazzling.

As a primer, Aston Martin of Austin’s dealer principal, Sonny Morgan, provided a short refresher on the car. The V12 powered DBS convertible has 510 horsepower, an optional 6 speed automatic transmission and is available with either four seats or a rear luggage shelf. Significant portions of the car are made from carbon fiber to make the car lighter and more nimble. The active suspension was derived from Aston’s DBR9 racing program.

The car’s interior is as stunning as its body. Leather, carbon fiber and real metal; no faux pieces like many Mercedes and Jaguars here! Starting the engine results in a nice V12 snarl, which is even better when the top smoothly drops down. The wonderful first impressions of the car sent chills down my spine. This Aston was indeed hot with a capital “H”.

Over the course of the weekend, we drove the muscular Aston in the Hill Country, down Sixth street, to local shops and restaurants. Every lane was pure joy, every stoplight an acoustic delight. Whether carving up apex’s on the way to a bed & breakfast outside town or stopping at an art gallery to peruse their offerings, every moment was a delight.

It was difficult saying goodbye at the end of the weekend to the DBS. Was this “celluloid star” as good as it looked on the big screen? Oh yes. The relationship with Aston’s superb supercar was as satisfying – no, more satisfying - than I could have imagined. This is a car that would stand head and shoulders above the rest without the James Bond films.

Aston still only makes a few DBS convertibles and coupes each year, so they are still as exclusive and rare as ever. The Aston Martin DBS is a car with as much substance as style. It’s expensive, but worth every dollar.