Aston Martin’s dream factory has launched new DB12 on iconic car firm’s birthday – it goes 202mph and exudes quality

WHO’S got the easiest job in the world, is it:

A. Boris’s barber?  B. Greta’s chauffeur? C. An Aston Martin dealer? Correct. The answer is C – because an Aston Martin sells itself.

The latest creation from Aston’s dream factory is the 202mph DB12.

Even prettier than a DB11.

Even faster.

Even classier and more connected inside.

And, naturally, even more expensive.

It’s the first car of the Lawrence Stroll era, the Canadian billionaire who rescued the business in 2020, and one of five new models to be launched in the year of Aston’s 110th birthday.

The others are expected to be a topless DB12 Volante, reworked Vantage, DBS replacement, Valhalla V8 plug-in hybrid (that’ll be Aston’s first electrified sports car) and the ultra-exclusive £1.5million Valour we showed you last month. All 110 Valours were sold in a flash.

Different world.

Everything is quality

Right, let’s concentrate on the DB12. Which is already sold out until 2024. Like I said, easiest job ever.

Under that bulging bonnet is a glorious 4-litre twin-turbo V8 from Mercedes. Same as a DB11. But here output has been hiked 29 per cent to 680hp, thanks to larger turbochargers and a higher compression ratio.

There’s also increased airflow to the radiators thanks to the heightened, more menacing front grille.

All that grunt goes to the rear wheels, of course. As DB rules dictate. But to help keep things shiny side up, an electronically actuated limited-slip differential has been fitted to a DB car for the first time.

As well as new active dampers and fresh electronic stability systems. The body is stiffer. The steering is nicely weighted. The carbon ceramic brakes like anchors.

If all that sounds a bit nerdy I hope it at least explains why this car has such beautiful balance and poise — and why it makes my heart sing.

You can hurry it like Fernando.

Or take the missus to Nando’s.

Rapid or relaxed.

It does both.

Another major plus is the lush interior.

 There’s a touchscreen, at last, for maps, music and phone, then proper buttons and dials for everything that needs buttons and dials. Like air con, volume, drive modes — and a louder exhaust note.

The leather is the finest Bridge of Weir. The sound system is Bowers & Wilkins. Two other top-notch British firms.

Everything is quality and well screwed together. Everything on point.

 And we haven’t been able to say that about Astons of the past.

Also worth a paragraph of their own are those aero-tuned, frameless wing mirrors. Not only do they house driver-assistance tech and reduce noise, they improve cross-car vision at junctions. And they look ace. The mirrors on a DB11 are the size of rugby balls.

So, that’s the Aston Martin DB12. Performance of a Ferrari. Luxury of a Bentley. Cooler than both.

It sells itself.