DB7 i6 Coupe ‘Alfred Dunhill’ Edition
DB7 i6 Coupe ‘Alfred Dunhill’ Edition

DB7 i6 Coupe ‘Alfred Dunhill’ Edition

(1997 - 1999)

During June 1997, AML unveiled a unique DB7 for Alfred Dunhill, the leading English company specialising in clothing and accessories for a discerning clientele. The car featured a series of exclusive luxury appointments such as a humidor for the carriage of the finest cigars, a silver cigar cutter, cigar lighter, a set of carbon fibre AD 2000 pens and an exclusive Dunhill Millennium clock set into the centre console.

DB7 i6 Coupe ‘Alfred Dunhill’ Edition

The exterior was painted in an exclusive platinum metallic, known as Dunhill Silver; the interior was in a contrasting Charcoal Connolly hide piped in Silver Grey. In addition, the traditional Aston Martin walnut veneers were replaced with attractive brushed aluminium panels. Design features from Dunhill products were incorporated in the door handles, surround for the boot release, white faced instruments and the gear lever. The design of the wheel centres was even based on that of the Dunhill Millennium Watch and is perhaps the easiest way to identify a Dunhill……unless after market wheels have been fitted.

The press releases from June 1997 clearly stated that the car was ‘A unique model and not for sale’ but potential buyers must have made a little fuss as by December 1997, it was announced that the production and sale of upto 150 examples would begin in 1998. The only difference of note from the original car was that a ‘non smoking’ version was also offered where the humidor was replaced by a Dunhill grooming kit.

Although the car was only initially offered in coupe form, a Volante version was also made available. Despite the projected build of 150 examples, I believe a mere 78 cars (coupe and Volante) were actually produced before the i6 DB7 was retired and replaced by the V12 Vantage. Most were supplied with automatic transmission making the manual Dunhill most desirable.

One of the cars featured here was photographed at Aston Sales Kensington in March 2008. The wheels are the optional Saturn Plus by OZ (as used on the V8 Coupe/V8 Volante); the badge on the mesh grille is I believe an after market addition.

Another particular Dunhill DB7 (seen below) is possibly the most expensive i6 DB7 ever specified. The total cost of the car in 1999 was almost £120,000 as it features the full Works Service Driving Dynamics package including bodykit and GT wheels. I believe that this particular car was ordered new by Arsenal football legend Ian Wright.

For more information about the products of Alfred Dunhill, try their website, Dunhill.com.

  • Body/Coachwork:
    • Two door 2+2 coupe
    • Steel under-frame with steel body panels. Steel bonnet, front wings, sills, boot lid and front & rear bumper/apron
    • Side-impact protection in doors
    • Dunhill Silver coachwork
    • Cd 0.31
  • Interior:
    • Full Connolly leather in Obsidian Black with brushed aluminium facias
    • Alcantara headlining, Firth black carpets
    • Electrically operated front seats
    • CFC free automatic climate control
    • Driver and front passenger airbags
    • Alpine radio cassette with CD auto changer
    • Megamos alarm system and PATs engine immobiliser
  • Engine:
    • All-alloy, twin overhead camshaft, 24 valve, 3,239cc straight six cylinder
    • Single Eaton M90 ‘Roots’ supercharger, maximum boost 14 p.s.i. (1 bar)
    • Water cooled intercooler for the compressed air with bypass valve
    • Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system
    • Compression ratio 8.3:1
    • Max power 335 bhp @ 6000rpm
    • Max torque 361 lb/ft @ 3000rpm
    • EECV engine management system with multi-point sequential fuel injection and electronic distributorless ignition system
  • Transmission:
    • Getrag 290.711, five speed manual gearbox
    • Optional switchable GM 4L80E four speed automatic
    • Final Drive, GKN Powerlock limited slip differential. Ratio 3.54 : 1, giving  28.6 mph per 1,000rpm
  • Steering:
    • Rack and pinion , power assisted 2.76 turns, lock-to-lock
    • Column reach and rake adjustment
  • Wheels and tyres:
    • Lightweight 8J x 18 alloy wheels
    • Bridgestone Expedia 245/40 ZR18 tyres
    • Smoke silver finish
    • Unique wheel centre trims
  • Suspension:
    • Front:    Independent double wishbone, coil springs, mono-tube dampers with anti-roll bar, anti-dive geometry.
    • Rear:     Independent double wishbone with longitudinal control arms, coil springs, mono-tube dampers and anti-roll bar
  • Brakes:
    • Front:    285mm ventilated steel discs with four piston calipers
    • Rear: 295mm vented steel discs with sliding aluminium calipers
    • Teves Mk IV anti-lock braking system
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 4646mm
    • Length for North American market – 4722mm due to deeper rear bumper
    • Width: 1830mm excluding wing mirrors
    • Height: 1238mm
    • Wheelbase: 2591mm
    • Front Track: 1516mm
    • Rear Track: 1531mm
    • Kerb Weight: manual 1775kg, auto 1825kg
    • Fuel Tank Capacity: 89litres
  • Performance:
    • Top Speed: 165mph (manual), 160mph (auto)
    • Acceleration: 0-62mph, 5.7 seconds (manual), 6.4 seconds (auto)