---

What makes a hand-built car so different from a standard robot-assembled production line car? Some might say it's attention to detail, but the scanning cameras and computer software of a modern assembly line might disagree. In truth, it's craftsmanship, and nothing illustrates that better than a stunning set of cutaways of Aston Martin's DBS.

Peeling back the obscuring layers shows not only how carefully and meticulously everything is put together, but also the complexity of design and packaging. Modern cars have so much to deal with in the way of safety and electronic equipment that they are almost as much regulation and computer as they are steel and rubber.

From the aluminum spaceframe chassis to the carbon-ceramic brake discs, the DBS's internals reveal what it takes to sit near the upper echelons of carmaking. But it's not so much the overall package that really informs as it is the details.

A glimpse inside the drive tunnel to see the carbon fiber driveshaft, the actuator arms on the manual transmission shifter, the glint of yet more carbon fiber where the paint on the hood has been stripped back, or seeing how Aston snuck the whole V12 engine behind the front axle, leaving room for a massive crumple zone at the front and ensuring optimal weight balance - these are the things that really capture the mind of an enthusiast.

Of course many of these features aren't unique to Aston Martin. On the contrary, more and more carmakers are approaching these levels of design. But there' still something about the fit and finish of a hand-built car that sets it apart, even from similar-looking competition. One can only imagine how the new DBS Volante looks underneath the skin, and how Aston's engineers managed to brace the car to retain coupe-like stiffness.

At any rate, the photographs, taken of a display car from the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, speak for themselves, and they speak volumes. Spend some time looking at them and you'll keep seeing new and interesting details - yet like any good strip tease, there's enough mystery left to keep you guessing about what else is underneath.

---

---

Aston Martin's two top-of-the-range sports cars; the DBS and V12 Vantage have undergone a unique Carbon Black makeover to create a highly desirable special edition.

Celebrating the enormous success of the DBS and V12 Vantage which have surpassed all sales expectations since launch, the new special editions add a typically understated flair to these acclaimed models. Featuring bespoke Carbon Black metallic paint especially formulated with a subtle metallic twist to create a deep rich patina. Each car will undergo 50 man-hours of hand painting followed by stringent quality checks. For the V12 Vantage the iconic Aston Martin side strake has been fashioned from real carbon fibre backed by a black mesh and complimented with gloss black 10 spoke diamond turned alloy wheels. A bright finished grille and front parking sensors (normally an option) complete the exterior detailing.

Inside, owners will be greeted to swathes of Obsidian Black leather highlighted with a contrast silver coarse stitch all hand stitched by the craftspeople at Gaydon - Aston Martin's global headquarters in England.

Lightweight seats formed from Carbon Fibre and Kevlar saving 17 kg over the standard seat also feature together with Piano black facia trim, centre stack and centre console, anodised black tread plates and unique sill plaques build on the carbon theme. The Aston Martin 700w Premium Audio System is delivered as standard in the V12 Vantage while the DBS boasts the Bang & Olufsen Beosound DBS audio system as standard.

Customers who order a Carbon Black Edition V12 Vantage will have the opportunity to experience Aston Martin's renowned Performance Driving Course (UK and Europe only) free of charge which offers a memorable day helping customers to equip themselves with the skill sets to enhance the enjoyment of their Aston Martin on the track.

The Carbon Black Editions are available to order from the official Aston Martin dealership network now with final pricing (expected to be approximately 5% over current base prices) to be confirmed in the New Year with deliveries to commence from March.

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

f you've been waiting patiently – even not so patiently – to get your hands on the new Carbon Black edition of the Aston Martin DBS, you'll still have to wait until the summer to take delivery. Oh, and a trunk full of hundred-dollar bills. But if all you want is to catch a glimpse, we've got good news for you. Because no matter where you are in the continental United States, chances are there's a DBS Carbon coming to a city near you.

In a special demonstration organized by Aston's exclusive audio partner Bang & Olufsen – which furnishes the 13-speaker, 1000-watt sound system in the DBS – a pair of the special Carbon Black editions will be touring America. Along their route, they'll be hitting New York, Washington, Miami, Dallas, Chicago, San Francisco and LA. So unless you live in Oregon, you're covered.

If you do swing by a local Aston dealer when the Carbon Black editions are in town, you'll see a pair of DBS coupes with a special-process black flick paint and an interior with carbon-Kevlar seats covered in black leather with silver stitching, along with special wheels and badging.

---

---

---

---

Aston Martin is on a roll of late, the latest creation its four-door masterpiece, the Rapide. While that car has its quirks, it's certainly one of the most attractive four-door sports cars in existence. Last year, the company shoe-horned a brawny V-12 engine into the Vantage, taking the car's performance to a new level. Now Aston Martin is preparing a facelift for its DB9 and DBS duo, the latter captured testing in prototype form in these latest spy shots.

Not wanting to muck around with the beautiful lines of the DBS, Aston Martin designers are preparing only a small facelift for the car, consisting of new bumpers, a bigger rear spoiler and new side skirts. The biggest change is the addition of LED-accented headlights, similar to those on the Rapide.

This should give the Aston Martin supercar some much needed differentiation from the regular DB9, which in previous spy shots doesn’t appear to feature the new lights.

It’s not clear what changes Aston Martin has for the interior and powertrain but expect some subtle refinements and possible a small power hike, possibly as much as 550 horsepower. New wheel design and equipment packages may also be a part of the update.

The facelifted 2011 Aston Martin DBS will likely make its world debut at the 2010 Paris Auto Show this October before going on sale early next year.

---

---

Following on from the success of the DBS Carbon Black, introduced in 2009, the 2011 DBS Carbon Edition will be available in two new colours including Flame Orange and Ceramic Grey together with the existing Carbon Black. Each DBS will undergo Aston Martin’s unique paint process receiving seven layers of paint together with a 25 hour hand flat-and-polish finish resulting in a glass veneer normally the reserve of jewellery production. A first for Aston Martin is the option to specify a satin lacquer paint finish, creating a silk-like texture.

The DBS Carbon Edition features 10-spoke gloss black diamond turned wheels with a reversed diamond turned or full gloss black finish as an option. Complementing the wheels, black brake callipers will be delivered as standard with yellow, orange, red or grey as an option. Harmonising with the exterior finish is a warm black grille, carbon fibre mirror heads, carbon rear lamp in-fills and smoked rear lights creating a DBS specification like never before.

The cosseting and inviting interior of the coupe plays host to the familiar swathes of obsidian black or maranello orange semi-aniline leather. This type of leather is more natural looking and softer to touch. The interior of a DBS Carbon Edition will take in excess of 70 man hours to hand stitch and finish.

On the DBS Carbon Edition coupe, the headlining is quilted in leather providing a luxurious envelope to the cabin. Immediately distinguishing the Carbon Edition from a standard DBS is the carbon fibre facia with a carbon weave that has been positioned exactly to follow the form of the dashboard. Only by hand can the fibres be laid to create a perfectly aligned weave.

The magnesium alloy paddles that control the Touchtronic II automatic gearbox are tipped with carbon fibre bringing the Carbon Edition direct to the fingertips. A unique carbon fibre special edition sill plaque with laser etched metal inlay completes the specification.

The standard DBS has recently been updated to feature the new Aston Martin Garmin satellite navigation system possessing improved graphics and intuition to provide a sleeker user experience. Beam blade windscreen wipers are also a new feature providing reduced wind noise and a cleaner wipe, even at high speeds.

DBS Carbon Edition prices start at £186,582 (€257,912/$287,576) for the coupe and £196,581 (€272,913/$302,576) for the Volante with customer deliveries expected from quarter one 2012.

---