Aston Martin has established a nice little tradition over the years, where some truly fantastic models have been saved up for the end of production; no mere special editions with nice paint, they’ve typically been the best versions of already great cars. Think DB7 GT, the 2016 Vanquish S, Rapide AMR, that kind of thing - properly brilliant Astons that came many years after launch. Here’s hoping for much of the same from what’s being called a ‘ferocious farewell’ to the DBS Superleggera, the 770 Ultimate.
Don’t get your hopes up too high, however, as all 499 examples - 300 coupes and 199 Volantes - are spoken for. All the ingredients are there for another very special Aston Martin, too. The power is the obvious talking point, with a seven per cent boost for its brace of turbos as well as ‘modified air and ignition pathways’ yielding a massive 770hp, making the Ultimate the most powerful production Aston Martin ever. Torque is rated at 664lb ft, and Aston claims a 211mph top speed. There are no figures yet on improved acceleration, presumably as another 45hp won’t make a tonne of difference to a heavy, two-wheel drive Aston getting to 62mph and 100mph. It’s hardly like 3.6 seconds and 6.7 seconds respectively were bad, either…
If anything, the best part of 800hp isn’t the most exciting part of the Ultimate overhaul. Aston says it has made ‘targeted improvement’ to the suspension, steering, transmission and even the underbody for improved ‘feel, response and agility’. So, the eight-speed automatic has been recalibrated to speed up shift times, the steering column is now solidly mounted for better feel, and the adaptive dampers have been overhauled to sharpen up the drive while keeping Aston’s brute in a suit comfy over long distances.
It doesn't stop there - this is way more than extra power and wheels seemingly pinched from the OHMSS homage car. The Ultimate gets a thicker rear undertray and what’s being called an ‘enhanced’ front cross member; those upgrades contribute an additional three per cent in torsional stiffness and a likely more noticeable 25 per cent improvement in front-end lateral stiffness. Along with that new steering column, driver engagement is said to be enhanced. Good to have confidence in a front end this ginormous.
Naturally, there are some cosmetic upgrades for the 770 Ultimate as well. That dramatic new front end improves cooling as well as making the DBS look even meaner, there’s carbon all over (including a new sill to draw the eye towards those lovely wheels) and a more prominent rear diffuser. There’s extra carbon inside, as well as logos unique to this car and a new trim split for the Sports Plus Seats. (These carbon Performance seats are optional.) It’s not as big an overhaul as elsewhere, put it that way - but if ever a DBS was going to convince you despite the interior, this was going to be it. And 499 very lucky folk have already been prepared to overlook it and presumably pay an awful lot, don’t forget…
Aston’s CTO, Roberto Fedeli, said of the DSB 770 Ultimate: “When an iconic model generation reaches the end of production it is important to mark the occasion with something special. In the case of the DBS 770 Ultimate, we have spared nothing in ensuring the final version of our current series production flagship is the best-ever in every respect. Not only is it the fastest and most powerful DBS in our history, thanks to a comprehensive suite of improvements to the transmission, steering, suspension, and underbody structure; it is also the best to drive.” And it was hardly bad to start with! It certainly sounds like the Ultimate will join the ranks of those hallowed Aston valedictory specials; we’ll know for certain when deliveries begin in Q3 this year.
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