Aston Martin Will End Current DBS Production with Run of 100 Ultimate Editions

The DBS Ultimate should follow the template laid out by this DBS Carbon Black Special Edition. Aston Martin will introduce a new DBS for 2013 at the end of the year, which means that the current car is on the way out. As a send-off to the outgoing model, the final 100 examples will be built as special DBS Ultimate Editions. The Ultimate Editions will not receive any powertrain or suspension upgrades over the standard DBS, but our sources tell us to look to the DBS Carbon Black special edition as an example of what to expect from the Ultimate. That car featured bespoke paint—Aston claimed it required 50 man-hours to apply—special wheels, and a few options tossed in as standard, and it was available in both coupe and Volante convertible body styles. We expect most if not all of the foregoing to apply to the commemorative cars. The Ultimate may not, however, be available with a manual: The Carbon Black special edition, as well as the DBS Carbon Edition that debuted in Frankfurt last fall, were sold only with a six-speed automatic. Comparison Test: V12 Vantage vs. R8 V10, 458 Italia, SLS AMG, 911 Turbo S First Drive: 2010 Aston Martin DBS Volante First Drive: 2012 Aston Martin Virage Of the 100-unit run, fewer than 30 Ultimates are expected to be available Stateside. Although the car isn't technically available yet—nor has it even been officially announced—our sources indicate that our allotment will be spoken for shortly. If you love the current DBS and have the coin (the Ultimate coupe, for example, should command a modest premium over the $288,000 or so asked for a DBS Carbon Edition), we suggest you visit your local Aston Martin store, like, yesterday. from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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