In short
- Aston Martin unveiled the V12 DBS in 2007 and ended Coupé and Volante production in 2012.
- The fixed-roof Coupé came first, while DBS Volante production began in 2009.
- Six-speed manual and later Touchtronic 2 automatic cars require their own records.
- The live print represents Jonathan’s fixed-roof V12 DBS front and signed figures.
DBS is a name Aston Martin has used in three distinct eras. This page identifies the middle one: the DB9-derived carbon-bodied V12 revealed in 2007, sold as Coupé and Volante, and retired in 2012.
Which 2007 to 2012 Aston Martin DBS is this?
First establish the V12 DBS era, then choose fixed-roof Coupé or fabric-roof Volante, six-speed manual or Touchtronic 2 automatic, production date and market. Match the full VIN build record to the physical carbon body, roof and drivetrain. A registration year or DBS badge alone is incomplete.
Aston Martin’s own history uses 2007 to 2012 for the model. A separate company history says it entered production in 2008. Both can be accurate because reveal and production dates answer different questions.
Why do DBS sources say both 2007 and 2008?
2007 is the unveiling and historic-model start year used by Aston Martin. Customer production and sale followed in 2008. A specific car can then have a build date, model year and first registration date that do not all share one number.
| Date field | What it records | DBS example |
|---|---|---|
| Reveal | When Aston Martin publicly unveiled the model | Pebble Beach, 2007 |
| Production start | When customer cars entered production | Described as 2008 in Aston history |
| Build or model year | The individual factory period or market designation | VIN-linked for each car |
| First registration | When it entered a national register | Can follow build and change with import |
The live catalogue uses the inclusive 2007 to 2012 historic range because that is Aston Martin’s own model-line convention and Jonathan’s poster dates its subject 2008.
When ordering parts or valuing a car, production date and VIN override a broad tile. Mid-run transmission, option and edition changes cannot be identified from the range alone.
How does the DBS Coupé differ from the Volante?
The Coupé has a fixed roof and was the original V12 DBS body. The Volante is the open-top derivative introduced for 2009 with a fabric roof and body-specific structure. They share the 5,935 cc V12 identity but not one body, weight or artwork brief.
Aston Martin calls the Volante its first open-top DBS. A roof-down photograph is obvious evidence, but inspect the complete rear deck, roof mechanism, drainage and structural record.
The live print is a frontal Coupé portrait. The roof occupies less of that view than it does from the side, but a personalised print should not label a Volante as a Coupé without agreement.
Check body material and repair method. The DBS used carbon-fibre panels as part of its weight-saving construction. Poor cosmetic repair can hide incorrect bonding, fixings or finish.
Which transmissions did the V12 DBS use?
A rear mid-mounted six-speed manual was standard at launch. Aston Martin later offered its Touchtronic 2 automatic. The transmission sits in a rear transaxle arrangement, so engine bay appearance alone cannot identify it.
Confirm the selector and pedals, then check the VIN build data and current hardware. Conversions are possible in principle and should be documented as such.
Inspect clutch or automatic operation, transaxle, differential, cooling, mounts, shafts and service history with Aston-capable diagnostics. A dashboard without warnings is not a complete test.
Keep transmission-specific acceleration and weight attached to their source. Jonathan’s signed block is one poster specification, not a universal number for Coupé and Volante in both gearboxes.
Which details authenticate a V12 DBS?
Match the full VIN and Aston Martin build record to the 5,935 cc V12, body, transmission, carbon panels, carbon-ceramic brakes, adaptive damping, wheels, seats, trim and option codes. Inspect repair provenance and part labels because visible DBS pieces can be fitted to related models.
The DBS developed the DB9 architecture but is not a DB9 with a badge. Aston described more aggressive styling, carbon-fibre bodywork, carbon-ceramic brakes and adaptive suspension.
Check panel fit and finish in neutral light. Carbon repair needs a qualified inspection, not a magnet test intended for steel.
Use the manufacturer recall and service system against the VIN. Keep complete VINs and document references private outside legitimate checks.
The DBS buyer’s guide provides the full cold, diagnostic, brake, tyre, body and history checklist.
Do later editions change the DBS identity?
Special colours, packages and final editions can change rarity and equipment while remaining within the 2007 to 2012 V12 DBS family. Verify each named edition from the VIN build, original invoice and dated Aston Martin announcement. Do not infer it from black paint or a plaque alone.
Carbon Black and Ultimate names appear in market histories, but their allocation and specification need the exact national source. A used advert often copies a familiar edition name onto a similar colour.
The 2018 DBS Superleggera is not a late version of this body. It is a new generation with a twin-turbo 5.2-litre V12 and distinctly different design.
The 1967 DBS is another historic model. Search results, insurance databases and parts listings should include the era, not just three letters.
Which DBS does Jonathan’s live print represent?
The live print represents the fixed-roof 2007 to 2012 V12 DBS and carries Jonathan’s 2008-style block. It uses 510 bhp, not 517 PS, and retains his 1,770 kg figure, which sits within the broader Coupé, automatic and Volante spread.
- Engine
- 5.9L AM08/AM11 V12
- Power
- 510 bhp
- Torque
- 570 Nm
- Weight
- 1770 kg
- 0 to 60
- 4.3 sec
- Top speed
- 191 mph
The artwork’s headlamp glass is held pale blue, while the windscreen reflection remains separate. That prevents a paint change colouring glass details.
Open the DBS builder when the fixed-roof front matches. Use custom work for Volante or edition-specific visible details.
What should you verify before buying a DBS?
After exact identity, build a service, MOT, recall, ownership and repair chronology. See the car cold and inspect fluids, diagnostics, cooling, engine, transmission, carbon-ceramic brakes, tyres, adaptive damping, body, underside, cabin and every modification with an Aston Martin specialist.
Carbon-ceramic disc condition and replacement cost need specialist measurement. Appearance alone is not enough.
Check tyre age, exact specification and complete set. Low annual mileage does not stop rubber ageing or fluid intervals.
Confirm battery, charging and module health after storage. Repeated low voltage can create warning histories that require proper diagnosis.
Price immediate work and specialist access before treating rarity or film association as condition evidence.
Which Aston Martin sources establish the timeline?
Aston Martin’s historic-model page defines the 2007 to 2012 DBS era, V12, body and core specification. Its DBS Superleggera launch history states that customer production began in 2008, Volante followed in 2009 and both ended in 2012.
Read Aston Martin’s historic DBS archive, DBS and Volante model page and DBS lineage release. They were reviewed 9 August 2026.
This guide identifies the model family. It does not authenticate one VIN, edition or repair.
Questions people actually ask
- What years was the modern Aston Martin DBS made?
- Aston Martin unveiled the V12 DBS in 2007 and describes the historic-model range as 2007 to 2012. Customer production followed for 2008, the Volante joined in 2009 and production of both bodies ended in 2012.
- How do you tell a DBS Coupé from a DBS Volante?
- The Coupé has a fixed roof and rear glass structure. The Volante has a powered fabric convertible roof and model-specific rear body and structural details. Confirm the VIN build because the roof also changes weight and the correct print description.
- Was the Aston Martin DBS manual or automatic?
- The V12 DBS launched with a rear-mounted six-speed manual transmission. Later cars were also available with Touchtronic 2 automatic. Verify the individual VIN and fitted drivetrain because transmission affects maintenance, weight and quoted performance.
- Which Aston Martin DBS does the live print show?
- The live print shows Jonathan’s fixed-roof 2007 to 2012 V12 DBS front and signed block: 510 bhp, 570 Nm, 1,770 kg, 4.3 seconds to 60 mph and 191 mph. It is not a Volante or DBS Superleggera.
Written by Jonathan in Derby. Last updated .