The Aston Martin DBS was always considered the last word on performance regarding the iconic DB line of cars. The nameplate made its most recent return on the axed DB9, and it managed to solider on into the DB11 (Aston Martin skipped the ten and jumped straight to the DB11). However, the company knows that the V12’s days are numbered, and it has been celebrating its impending retirement not with a whimper but with a very loud bang. We first saw this on the V12 Vantage, and now the 2024 DBS 770 Ultimate will be the figurative last word both on performance and the DBS lineup itself.
DBS 770 Ultimate Dials It Up For Maximum Performance
As the name would imply, the Ultimate is the fastest and most powerful production Aston Martin model that the company has ever produced. The model is still powered by a V12, but it’s an updated version of the familiar 5.2-liter V12 that now produces 770PS, aka 759 horsepower, when you leave the confines of the metric system. This insane amount of power is more than what you got in the limited production One-77. It is only outshined by two wilder creations, the extremely rare albeit track-only Vulcan and the 836 horsepower one-of-a-kind Victor coupe. Aston stopped short of revealing how fast it can dash to 60 mph but confirmed that the Ultimate could achieve a top speed of 211 mph.
An eight-speed automatic is the only transmission available but it benefits from a unique software setup, and Aston engineers added a limited-slip differential in the rear to help keep the power firmly under control. With all the changes Aston made elsewhere to the car, it’s a surprise that the carbon ceramic brakes are the same ones on the standard DBS. Aston Martin reps claim they are very confident in the setup and, thus, chose to retain it for duty in the Ultimate. The DBS 770 Ultimate also comes with a solid-mounted steering system that promises to deliver sharper and crisper communication to the driver, especially at higher speeds where it’s essential to know what the front tires are doing. It doesn’t hurt either that front-end stiffness has been increased by 25 percent while the rest of the suspension has benefitted from other upgrades.Â
Stylish DBS 770 Ultimate Blends Luxurious Interior With Purposeful Exterior
With all the performance lurking under the hood, we’re glad that Aston Martin didn’t skimp on the details when it came to the rest of the car. The exterior makes it clear that style still reigns supreme at Aston, and while the core design is carried over from the DBS, the Ultimate stands out thanks to several welcome enhancements. They include a large horseshoe-shaped hood vent to help enhance cooling while the new front splitter draws the eye to the new front-mounted vents. Aston’s teaser materials referred to a beetle, and some of this beetle-like character is evident when you make your way to other parts of the car. Carbon fiber is placed on strategic spots, while a model-exclusive rear diffuser is meant to improve aerodynamic balance.
Massive 21-inch wheels share some of their inspiration with the Victor and the Valkyrie supercar. They even come with a bold design that can be infused with traditional Satin silver or black accents as well as an exotic satin black setup with a diamond-turned finish. These hoops are shod in sticky Pirelli P-Zero high-performance summer tires.Â
Slip inside, and the interior does its best to reflect the DBS 770 Ultimate’s role as the halo in the Aston Martin family. The core theme is carried over from the DBS, but the seats have been ripped out and replaced with all-new Sports Plus seats adorned in semi-aniline leather and Alcantara trim with the seat backs featuring a fluted pattern in the quilting. For more hardcore owners, Aston says that the seats can be swapped out for the company’s performance seats. The steering wheel is squared off, but it now comes with standard carbon fiber shift paddles, and the DBS 770 Ultimate logo even makes an appearance on the center armrest. Oh, and don’t forget the lineup of Q-sourced accessories that aim to make your ride even more distinct, with the only limits being your budget and your imagination (we saw an instance where they managed to match Ferrari Yellow on an older Vantage as a dramatic display of Q’s wild customization abilities).Â
When Can I Buy One?
Aston Martin didn’t reveal formal pricing for the DBS 770 Ultimate, but that’s ok since order books for the model have already been filled. Aston Martin is making a very limited production run and has capped production at 499 examples for the entire world, with 300 being coupes, while the remaining 199 are Volantes (convertible in Aston speak). This scarcity will undoubtedly make them collector’s items. Still, it will also be the end of an era for the company, with the DBS being a reminder of a time when style, luxury, and cylinder count defined what a luxury car should be. Look for this feeling to be shared by Aston Martin loyalists and this author too. Goodbye, DBS; you will be dearly missed.   Â
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Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.