The launch car, a pre-production prototype, was finished in the special DBS colour of Lightning Silver with Chancellor  Red interior and featured the standard 2+0 seat configuration with the manual gearbox. It was quite some time after production started that the DBS could be specified with occasional rear seats, described as 2+2 and Touchtronic 2 automatic gearbox.

This DBS exactly matched the version seen in Casino Royale; much like a DB9 on which the car is closely based but with considerably more menace, and a 510 bhp version of the familiar V12 engine. Many Aston Martin ‘firsts’ are also attributed to the DBS such as the carbon ceramic brakes, adaptive damping and carbonfibre composite body panels used for the boot enclosure, boot lid, door opening surrounds, front wings and bonnet.

Another pre-production car has survived in the hands of AML. This particular car was shown at Gaydon during Centenary Week and visitors were allowed indeed encouraged to leave messages on the car with permanent marker pens.

Production of the DBS began in late 2007 with the first customers receiving their cars just in time for the spring of 2008.