by Anthony Narvaez

Created on: February 23, 2009

Featured in the 2008 film "Quantum of Solace", audiences watched in agony as actor Daniel Craig brutalized the new Aston Martin DBS in a chase scene that lasted nearly three minutes. At one point, while maneuvering around a barrage of gun fire, the driver side door is literally ripped off. As chase scenes are meant to keep an audience in suspense and excitement, for those enamored of the new DBS, this specific pursuit left your sympathy with the car.

Among a great number of other refinements, the DBS improves on the DB9's brute force. As a grand tour car, the DB9 is a sheer joy to drive, even hours at a time. The ride is smooth and responsive and the interior appointments leave few things further to desire. The Aston Martin DBS however, dials everything up just a bit. Starting with a forty horsepower improvement over the DB9, the six liter V12 in the DBS outputs a controlled and aggressive 510 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.

The poise and shape of the DBS announces its abilities even before the engine is brought to life. Form and function meet in harmony over the sleek contoured body lines. This car quietly hints of danger and excitement while screaming sex appeal as if through a department store public address system. Best put, the Aston Martin DBS is an Olympic class athlete enjoying a fine dinner with the company of several runway models.

Creating an exhilarating and stable platform for performance, nearly ninety percent of the DBS's weight is supported center mass. This produces a very natural feeling agility and comfortable sport that is often lacking in the thoroughbred race market. The new adaptive dampening system uses two separate valves to adjust the shocks between five positions. This allows for an immediate change in handling characteristics based on road conditions and driving style.

The interior was designed in the driver's interest as apposed to race function. Information is clearly presented with controls placed in a logical and easily accessible array. The instruments cascading around the ergonomic and redesigned steering wheel have bold white print against a dark graphite background. In beautiful finish, the center console is a delicate mix between analog dials and advanced controls. Even the ignition apparatus is unique in concept. Just like uniting a puzzle with its last piece, the electronic fob (ECU) placed in the glowing dashboard receptacle brings life to the DBS's complete work of art.

All things considered, the Aston Martin DBS is awkwardly similar to the DB9 in many areas. It is important to keep in mind however, the differences to appreciate what Aston Martin has done with this new model. What was lacking in the already astounding DB9 has been made up for in the DBS. Where the DB9 seemed a bit underpowered as a sports car, the DBS taunts a more robust power train. For those that wished the DB9 had a more aggressive look, the DBS stands more purposeful with edgier lines and deeper spoilers. As remarkable of a machine as its predecessor was (and still is), it is in my opinion that the DBS was created to point out everything the DB9 has been lacking all along.

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