Why A V12 Is No Longer Necessary For The Aston Martin DB12
Aston Martin’s new DB12 has generated a lot of excitement. The twin-turbo V8 powered sports car has a revised design compared to the outgoing DB11, plus even more power. Something it doesn’t have though is a V12, even if some prototype testing hinted at one potentially on the way. But in an interview with YouTuber MR JWW, Director - Product and Market Strategy at Aston Martin Alex Long said that the DB12 simply doesn’t need a V12.
It may signify the end of the V12 engine in the main DB range, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Because what Aston Martin has created is a sensational looking car that offers a lot in terms of style, power and luxury. But the question is, how has Aston Martin reached the conclusion that a V12 is no longer necessary in the first place?
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Why There Is No V12 In The Aston Martin DB12
The reasoning behind the DB12 lacking its V12 makes perfect sense. Long suggests that one of the reasons behind this was the weight saving that losing those extra cylinders has made to the car. The DB12 says Long is over 100 kilos, (220 lbs), lighter than the original V12 DB11 was at its launch. That significant weight loss has helped to ensure that the DB12 has a more agile, sharper at the front-end. There will be less tendency for any understeer to creep into the car.
Another aspect behind the decision for V8 only is the way in which the engine picks up. The 4.0-liter twin-turbo is now tuned to spool up much faster than the DB11’s V12. Meaning it is faster to rev up, thanks to its all-new turbos. It allows the engine to feel more like a naturally-aspirated engine. Creating a very responsive kick mid-corner, letting you drive the car on the throttle. Long sums it up by saying that, with this much power on offer from the V8, there was no need anymore for a V12 under the hood of the Aston Martin DB12.
via MR JWW YouTube Channel
When your engine has 671 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, it's easy to see why Long would think that. The power output of the DB12 allows it to be a best-in-class offering. And the top speed of 202 mph and 0-60 mph time of just 3.5 seconds back up Long’s claim that a V12 isn’t needed. This remarkable V8 actually produces 41 hp more than the DB11 AMR with the 5.2-liter V12 under the hood. Plus, it is 34 percent more powerful overall than the V8 DB11 which has 528 hp. It is a massive increase over the outgoing grand toruer.
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The Aston Martin DB12 Trades Power For Enhanced Cornering Ability
via MR JWW YouTube Channel
Over 80 percent of the Aston Martin DB12 is new compared to the DB11. One of the driving forces behind this was to make the DB12 as fun as possible in the corners. That has included that super sharp front-end, and the new transmission. The DB12 sports a new ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. Sporting an electronic rear differential (E-Diff) for the first time in Aston Martin history. The final drive ratio in the DB12 is now shortened to 3.08:1. Allowing for faster in-gear acceleration, and reducing of the speeds between each shift.
Long says that there is an even higher engagement between the downshifts, meaning we feel each one of them. Each gear ratio within the DB12 also has its own torque curve, which runs the torque of the motor against the speed it is running at. The torque curves within DB12 allow drivers to attack with the Aston Martin. And get on the power down out of the corners which helps to make it a fun car in the twisty stuff, particularly on canyon roads. This also helps the Aston to put the power down better in the wet.
via MR JWW YouTube Channel
This is all possible thanks to that step down to a V8 engine, which hasn’t come at any power decrease. The top speed is slower than the 208 mph of the DB11 V12. But that is a byproduct of the final drive ratio and the changes that allow the Aston Martin DB12 to be a real attacking car. It is a trade-off. But only a very small one, and Long and Aston feel that was the best thing, making the DB12 a real driver’s car.
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The DB12's New V8 Engine Requires Over 50 Percent Extra Cooling
via MR JWW YouTube Channel
With the increase in power in the V8 engine, the power plant needed more cooling. So the massive intake at the front of the DB12 not only looks good, and better than DB11’s, but aids in cooling the engine. There is a double cooling pack on each side of the intake. This also aiding in cooling the transmission and HVAC in the sports car. Aston have said that there is also a 56 percent increase in the cooling apertures on the DB12, helping get that cool air into the car’s radiators. Two vents on top of the hood allow the hot air from the turbos to escape the engine bay.
Long claims these changes have allowed the DB12 to have a more confident, assertive face on the car. There is much more road presence to the new Aston. With the new LED headlights adding to that as well as the raising up of the car. So the changes within the engine bay have allowed the new Aston Martin to not only look better. But help in ensuring that twin-turbo V8 performs as it should.
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The Aston Martin DB12’s Infotainment System Is Developed All In-House
via MR JWW YouTube Channel
Another aspect Aston Martin are proud of, is the DB12's interior which is a masterpiece. It is just as game-changing as the AMG-sourced V8. The infotainment system sports Aston Martin’s new navigation system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and more. In the DB12, it is all-new with the touchscreen now ergonomic. The software isn't borrowed from Mercedes any longer. The whole operating system used by Aston's first touchscreen system is their own IP. Aston decided to double the processing power that normally required, just to ensure it performs perfectly as expected, no matter how much you load it up.
The center console with its array of buttons. A refreshing change from what other manufacturers are offering. Long says that as an ultra-luxury manufacturer, they wanted to create something that was useful, but felt special. The advantage of the various buttons mean the console and systems are more user-friendly. The drive modes selectable via a rotary controller. The climate control is adjustable via physical buttons. As is the lane assist making the Aston Martin DB12 very intuitive and friendly to use. The engineers even spent time to get the tactility and gearing of the knobs to suit a specific feel of premium for that extra specialness.
Aston Martin has worked wonders with the DB12. But they have shown why a screaming V12 isn’t needed. The advantages the new V8 gives to the overall driving experience outweigh those of simple straight line speed, which few of us will ever be able to use in the first place.
Sources: MR JWW YouTube Channel, Aston Martin
Source: HotCars
