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Vehicle Highlights

2012 Aston Martin DBS: What Is It?

The DBS is the flagship of Aston’s production lineup. (the company also builds a $ 2,000,000 One-77, but production of that super exotic is limited to 77 cars.) The DBS is faster and more expensive than the related DB9. Although the same size as the 4-passenger DB9, the DBS is lighter due in part to some carbon-fiber body panels. The base DBS seats only two. However a back seat is available.

DBS buyers might also consider Bentley Continental Supersports, Ferrari 599, and Maserati GranTurismo. 

2012 Aston Martin DBS: What’s New

Little is changed as a revised DBS is expected next year. Aston closes out this generation of a DBS with an Ultimate version with unique interior and exterior trim. Only 100 Ultimates will be available worldwide.

2012 Aston Martin DBS: Model Lineup, Features, Options

There are no mechanical differences between the base DBS and the more expensive Carbon Black and Ultimate models. The difference is in interior and exterior trim. Carbon Black and Ultimate cars have unique wheels and special exterior colors, among other variations. All models are available as coupe or Volante convertible.

Standard equipment on DBS includes front- and rear-obstacle detection, navigation system, Bang & Olufsen sound system, adaptive suspension, and carbon-ceramic brake rotors. Options include synthetic-suede steering wheel and personalized door sills.

2012 Aston Martin DBS: Engines, Transmissions, and Drive Wheels

All have a 510-horsepower 5.9-liter V12 engine. Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic with steering-wheel paddles to facilitate manual gear changes. Aston claims the DBS can accelerate 0-62 mph in 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 190 mph. The DBS is rear-wheel drive.

2012 Aston Martin DBS: Fuel Economy

EPA estimates for the DBS are 11 mpg city/17 mpg highway with manual transmission and 12 city/18 highway with automatic. In Consumer Guide testing, a convertible averaged 15.1 in mix of city and highway driving.

2012 Aston Martin DBS: Safety Features

The 2012 Aston Martin DBS has a standard complement of expected and federally, mandated safety features. Note, however, that curtain-side airbags are not offered; the included side airbags are designed to provide head and torso protection. Convertibles have standard rollover bars that are designed to deploy in the event of an impending tip.

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Breakfast of Champions: A Novel

In Breakfast of Champions, one of Kurt Vonnegut’s  most beloved characters, the aging writer Kilgore Trout, finds to his horror that a Midwest car dealer is taking his fiction as truth. What follows is murderously funny satire, as Vonnegut looks at war, sex, racism, success, politics, and pollution in America and reminds us how to see the truth.”We are healthy only to the extent that our ideas are humane.” So reads the tombstone of downtrodden writer Kilgore Trout, but we have no doubt

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