2023 Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate

Practice makes perfect, and five years since the modern Aston Martin DBS went into production, the British marque has created perhaps the finest iteration of the super grand tourer yet: the DBS 770 Ultimate. With 759 mechanical horsepower (or 770 metric horses, the output from which it takes its name), the 770 Ultimate is the most powerful production Aston Martin ever. No, we haven't forgotten about the Valkyrie, but Aston defines that as a limited model.

As a fitting farewell to the DBS, the 770 Ultimate comes with special styling alterations and a revised suspension for the 499 lucky customers (300 coupes, 199 convertibles) who have already ordered it. Yes, every example of this sublime GT has already been accounted for, but that doesn't mean we can't pore over the details that make it so great.

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The release date for the new Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate coupe will be irrelevant to most since order books have already closed. Nevertheless, it will be coming out in the third quarter of 2023 when deliveries begin, a few months after production starts in the first quarter - this is a sign that Aston is in no rush to build each DBS 770. Only 300 coupes and 199 examples of the Volante drop-top will be built, so exclusivity is guaranteed and spotting one on USA roads will be a rare occurrence.

A car as special as this one is bound to have an exorbitant MSRP, so it's little surprise that Aston Martin hasn't mentioned the 2023 DBS 770 Ultimate's price. Considering that you'll have to cough up around $330,000 for a 'normal' DBS, it's entirely realistic that the DBS 770 will cost well over $400,000. This number will likely change based on each customer's chosen specification.

Finding direct rivals for a limited edition V12 super GT like this one isn't easy. Ferrari has the 812 Competizione, which is also a rear-wheel-drive GT. It has over 800 hp from its V12, but it's even more of a track-focused beast. Matching the debonair charisma of the DBS is the Bentley Continental GT Speed, but its W12 isn't as powerful, and it's not as agile.

Is there a more beautiful GT out there right now? These things are subjective, but the exterior design of the Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate is reason enough to hand over your life savings for one. It all starts with near-perfect proportions, and the aggressive touches complement, rather than detract from, the sensuous lines.

Aston wanted the 770 Ultimate to stand out, so it applied several enhancements to the coupe's exterior. There is a new front splitter with different outboard vents, and the clamshell hood features a 'horseshoe' engine vent that isn't merely for show but improves airflow via the radiators. The sleek headlights are familiar, and these are positioned above a gaping yet neatly integrated grille.

Exposed carbon fiber twill can be found on the mirror caps, windscreen surround, side sills, fender louvers, and cantrail, the latter referring to the outboard roof rail element. Along the sides, there are gorgeous 21-inch wheels with three finishes to choose from: Satin Silver, Satin Black, or a darker, Diamond Turned finish. The multi-spoke wheels are said to draw inspiration from the Valkyrie and one-off Victor. As standard, the 21s are wrapped in Pirelli P Zero high-performance tires.

At the back, there are quad-exit tailpipes that no doubt emit the most glorious noise, along with a unique rear diffuser and subtle spoiler. Via the Q by Aston Martin customization program, customers can choose from an array of colors for the Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate, along with assorted graphics or painted wheels to match the body.

Some of the available color options include Ultramarine Black, China Grey, Seychelles Blue, 1959 Racing Green, and Hyper Red, but those are just a handful from a far broader selection. A body-color roof can replace the carbon one, and there are multiple brake caliper colors and liveries. You can even choose from red or smoked taillights, chrome or black chrome badging, and bright or dark finishers for the exhaust.

The sheer number of possible specifications will ensure that no two 770 Ultimates need be the same.

The new Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate sports almost identical dimensions to the normal DBS. That includes a length of 185.6 inches, a width of 84.4 inches including the mirrors, a height of 50.6 inches, and a wheelbase that stretches to 110.4 inches.

The curb weight is 4,067 pounds, making it substantially lighter than the Bentley Continental GT.

There is much to admire about this car, but the V12 engine in the Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate continues to steal the show. With twin turbochargers, the 5.2-liter, 60-degree mill now makes a whopping 759 hp at 6,500 rpm and 663 lb-ft of torque between 1,800 rpm all the way up to 5,000 rpm. Those are some mighty specs, even if torque is the same as in the normal DBS.

The higher output (the standard DBS makes 715 hp) is the result of several changes. These encompass a 7% increase in maximum turbo boost pressure and modified air and ignition pathways. The ZF eight-speed automatic transmission with a unique transmission calibration for the 770 contributes to faster shift speeds and dramatic in-gear acceleration. Performance off the mark is also towering, with Aston promising a 0-60 mph time of 3.2 seconds, which is very good for a rear-wheel-drive car that shuns electrification of any kind. The 100-mph mark flies by in 6.4 seconds, and the 770 Ultimate will eventually top out at 211 mph.

The engine and transmission alone are not the only aspects of the 770 that have been optimized for performance, with improvements made to the suspension and steering as well in an effort to boost feel, responsiveness, and agility. It comes with a new solid steering column to transmit better feedback to the driver, while front-end lateral stiffness is up by 25% thanks to a new front cross member and thicker rear undertray. Global torsional stiffness is also up by 3%.

A unique damper calibration and software tune were applied to the Adaptive Damping System to improve control and composure without sacrificing comfort. When you need to slow down in a hurry, you can rely on ventilated carbon ceramic brake discs measuring 16.1 inches in front and 14.2 inches at the back.

Together, Aston promises that the updates make this the fastest, most powerful, and best-driving DBS yet.

This may be the least relevant category for owners of the DBS 770 Ultimate, as it's widely understood that a V12 providing this sort of performance is going to be thirsty. The latest EPA figures for the regular DBS of 14/22/17 mpg city/highway/combined give us a good indication of what to expect from the 770 Ultimate, so you'll need the 20.6-gallon gas tank to be full to extract a half-decent range. That will be about 350 miles if you can resist the temptation to exploit the V12's full performance at every opportunity.

Aston Martin knows how to put together a cabin that feels special, even if it isn't an ergonomic masterpiece. As with the outside of the car, the interior of the Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate comes with exclusive touches to justify its lofty position as the best DBS yet.

The standard seats in the Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate are Sports Plus items finished in a combination of semi-aniline leather and Alcantara, complete with a 'fluted' quilt and perforation pattern. If they're as good to sit in as they are to look at, spending a lot of time behind the wheel should be an absolute pleasure.

Aston has implemented a bespoke trim split including contrast colors linked to welt and stitching, plus a smart tailor-made strap and buckle badge with a laser-etched DBS 770 Ultimate logo that can be found on the center armrest. Other major touchpoints are also beautifully finished, including the large, standard carbon fiber paddles. The DBS 770 Ultimate logo also appears on the sill plaques, where they remind you that this car is one of just 300 coupes to be built.

The list of standard features includes dual-zone climate control, heated seats with 12-way power adjustability in front, front/rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system. It doesn't appear as though any updates have been made to the rather dated eight-inch LCD infotainment screen, which is based on the older Mercedes COMAND interface, but in the context of what the DBS 770 Ultimate represents, this doesn't feel like a dealbreaker.

As expected, the cabin is infinitely customizable. More luxurious (Inspire Sport) or racy (Accelerate) interior themes can be selected, and there are available primary colors inside such as Metallic Black, Phantom Grey, Spicy Red, Aurora Blue, and Californian Poppy. A carbon fiber performance seat is available, and you can select specific colors for the headlining, carpets, and seatbelts, but you can end up with a garish cabin if you aren't careful. Trim inlay options include carbon fiber, Piano Black, Dyed Tamo Ash Open Pore, or Satin Chopped carbon fiber. If you somehow tire of the sound of the V12, you can turn up the volume on the optional Bang & Olufsen seven-speaker, 13-channel sound system.

At 9.5 cubic feet, the cargo space in the Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate is more practical than the average mid-engined supercar.