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Aston Martin Cars

Exotic · 12 models

Aston Martin

James Bond car of choice. The DB5, Vantage, DB11, DBS Superleggera, and Valkyrie carry the British grand-tourer lineage forward.

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Aston Martin is the British grand tourer brand whose cultural footprint extends well beyond its production volumes thanks to 60+ years of association with James Bond films. The DB5 of Goldfinger is one of the most recognizable cars in cinema history, and subsequent Aston Martins (DB10 from Spectre, DBS from No Time to Die) have continued the partnership. The brand modern lineup centers on grand tourers (DB11, DBS Superleggera, the new Vanquish), the Vantage sports car (mid-engine F1-derived twin-turbo V8), and the DBX SUV. Earlier defining cars include the DB7 (1994-2003, the Ian Callum-designed product that revived the brand in the 1990s), the DB9 (2004-2016, the Ulrich Bez era flagship), and the V12 Vantage (multiple generations of small chassis with V12 engines). The Vulcan (2015) was a track-only special with a 7.0 liter V12 making 820 horsepower. The Valkyrie hypercar (developed with Red Bull Racing F1 expertise) launched in 2020 with a 6.5 liter naturally aspirated V12 from Cosworth, hybrid assistance, and active aerodynamics. Aston Martin has had financial turbulence throughout its history. Multiple ownership changes, near-bankruptcies, and restructurings have shaped the modern company. Lawrence Stroll-led investment group acquired control in 2020 and has invested heavily in product development and Formula One presence (the Aston Martin F1 team). On WhipJury, Aston Martin submissions skew toward DB9, DB11, V8 Vantage (both the modern Mercedes-AMG-engined and earlier 4.3 V8 versions), and DBS Superleggera. Classic DB5 examples are rare but always memorable.

Aston Martin models we cover

The DB lineage

DB4 and DB5 (1958-1965). The David Brown era. Hand-built grand tourers with inline-six engines. The DB5 of Goldfinger (1964) is the most cinematically famous car ever made.

DB7 (1994-2003). Ian Callum-designed revival. Initially based on Jaguar XJS underpinnings. The car that saved Aston Martin in the 1990s.

DB9 (2004-2016). The Ulrich Bez era flagship. VH platform, 6.0 liter V12, around 470 to 540 horsepower across the run. Defined the modern Aston Martin grand tourer aesthetic.

DB11 (2016-2023). Replaced DB9. Initially with twin-turbo V12, later with Mercedes-AMG twin-turbo V8. AMR variant was the focused performance trim.

DB12 (2023-present). Current grand tourer. AMG-derived twin-turbo V8 only. The brand has called the DB12 a super tourer, positioning above grand tourer.

The Vantage

The current Vantage uses a Mercedes-AMG twin-turbo V8 making 656 horsepower in latest form. Compact two-seat sports car body, rear-drive, eight-speed automatic. The previous-generation V8 Vantage S and V12 Vantage S (with the brand 6.0 V12) are the connoisseur picks for analog character. The earlier V12 Vantage Manual is now a cult collector item.

Aston Martin on WhipJury

Modern DB11 and DBS Superleggera submissions are common. Earlier DB9 examples are popular as the more affordable used Aston option. Classic DB5 examples are rare but always do well in voting. The community here recognizes Aston Martin as the British grand tourer that has somehow survived 60 years of financial drama.

Frequently asked questions about Aston Martin

Why is the DB5 so famous?
Goldfinger (1964). The car was Sean Connery James Bond ride and has been featured (as either a current model or a classic appearance) in multiple subsequent Bond films. The combination of cinematic exposure and the genuine quality of the original DB4/DB5 design has made it one of the most recognizable cars in popular culture.
Are Aston Martins reliable?
Mixed. The VH-platform DB9 had electrical and infotainment issues. The DB11 with the Mercedes-AMG V8 has been more reliable than the V12 versions. Modern cars share components with Mercedes (engines) and other suppliers, which has improved reliability. Maintenance is expensive due to specialty parts and limited dealer network.
Is the Valkyrie really a Formula One car for the road?
Closer than any production car has come. Adrian Newey (legendary F1 designer at Red Bull Racing) led the chassis aerodynamics. The 6.5 liter V12 from Cosworth revs to 11,100 rpm. The car has serious downforce numbers and is genuinely difficult to drive in the way a road car should not be. Around 150 production examples plus various AMR Pro track variants.
Is the DBX a real Aston Martin?
The DBX SUV launched in 2020 to mixed reception. Mechanically uses Mercedes-AMG twin-turbo V8 (DBX 707 making 697 horsepower) and bespoke chassis. It is the brand first SUV and has been commercially important. Whether it qualifies as a true Aston Martin is debated; the brand has been clear that DBX revenue has funded development of other products.
Has Aston Martin really gone bankrupt seven times?
The exact count varies by definition (financial restructuring versus formal bankruptcy), but the brand has had multiple near-failures and ownership changes over its 110-year history. The David Brown era (1947-1972), the Ford ownership (1987-2007), the Kuwait-led syndicate (2007-2020), and the current Lawrence Stroll era have each followed financial trouble at the company.

Aston Martin on the WhipJury blog

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