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It’s ok to shed a tear. After decades of making big V12 engines, Aston Martin is winding down production of this iconic motor in the DBS coupe. Aston Martin calls it the 770 Ultimate, as in last one, it’s done, finito. And, to add insult to injury, this Ulitmate version may be the best version of the DBS ever.

James Bond drove a DBS in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace

The Aston Martin DBS has long carried the torch as the brand’s flagship coupe. It’s big, it’s fast, and a DBS always makes an impression, whether you’re James Bond or not. While Lamborghinis and Ferraris are great at making a scene, the DBS makes a statement. Those that know, know.

The “regular” 2022 DBS came with a 725-horsepower twin-turbo V12 that was set low and far back in the chassis. This front mid-engine car doesn’t just look good, because of that weight distribution it handles well, and even has room in the back for a set of golf clubs. The 2023 Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate takes that standard car and cranks It up to 11 with a 771-horsepower version of that engine, suspension improvements, and some drastic styling changes.

The new Ultimate is faster and lighter. It’s a shame that Aston has held out on us for so long. It has new cooling ducts, bigger wheels, and several other little refinements, too. All of that means that we will probably never see one of these icons outside of a museum or a Mecum auction.

How much is an Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate?

A green Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate in green parked in a photo studio
The last Aston Martin V-12 DBS, the DBS 770 Ultimate | Aston Martin

Don’t ask how much an Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate costs. You can’t get one. The company will deliver 300 coupes and 199 Volantes, or convertibles. Every single one is sold. But those 499 people will get access to a car that is the ultimate DB model. Aston’s deliveries will begin in the third quarter of this year of the Ultimate.

Named for Aston Martin’s longtime owner David Brown, the DB series has been in production since 1950 when the DB2 debuted. James Bond catapulted the DB series to international fame in the 1960s by driving a DB5 in “Goldfinger.” Lesser Vantages and DB11s are far more common than DBS cars.

Which Aston Martin has a V12?

The interior of the Aston Martin DBS Ultimate
The interior of the DBS 770 Ultimate | Aston Martin

According to Car and Driver, Aston will continue to make V12 engines until 2026 and before it goes all electric in 2030. That’s great news for the DB11 and Vantage which will be the only cars to carry this iconic engine. V12s are special engines because of their balance, which means they make smooth power at any point in the rev range. Aston amped up its V12s with several turbochargers and intercoolers to get the most out of this iconic engine before European emissions rules will kill it.

The $150,00 2023 Aston Martin Vantage comes standard with a twin-turbo V8. You can, however, order it with the V12, but it literally doubles the price to $301,000 to get four extra pistons. The 2023 DB11, which debuted in 2017, packs a V-12 for about $225,000. While it makes about as much power as a Camaro ZL1, you can’t compare the smooth rush from the big engine to the potent Chevy’s kick-in-the-pants style power.

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Dan Mayfield

Dan joined MotorBiscuit in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in journalism and a lifelong passion for anything related to the automotive industry. He grew up wrenching a 1949 Ford pickup truck and an MGB with his dad, learning how not to wire a fuel pump (he inadvertently set the MGB on fire).

After earning a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the University of New Mexico, Dan has contributed his expertise to a range of local outlets, including the City of Albuquerque, US Eagle, and the Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity.

On weekends, Dan spends Saturdays enjoying “cars and coffee” chats and, on Sundays, he’s watching the Route 66 Cruise roll through town. He also races motorcycles, and it’s not unusual to find him elbows-deep in his latest cafe racer build.

Taking advantage of the local desert terrain, Dan also enjoys exploring and driving off-road in his trusty Ram Rebel pickup truck, which provides personal insights into his contributions to our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers coverage. Dan strives to give our readers unique information about the dynamic automotive market, reading anything that has to do with cars, trucks, bikes, 4X4s, and, in his words, “everything with a motor.”

Dan has earned a number of accolades from the Public Relations Society of America, and is a University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism Fellow.