The engine in question is an AMG, hybridised 3 litre turbocharged unit, developing a peak output of 435 bhp.The new straight-six doesn’t have quite the poke of the V8 but DBX Straight-Six can get to 62 mph in 5.4 seconds and has a top speed of 161 mph, so it’s no slouch. Although at launch, the straight-six is only available in China, the model could be rolled out to other markets in time.

China is a very important market for Aston Martin and the DBX is a very important model. During the first half of 2021, the DBX accounted as 50% of worldwide sales; China took 16% of AML production and of those cars, 70% were DBX.

The DBX Straight Six was discontinued in 2024 with dwindling sales and stronger demand for the high-performance DBX 707.

Then by surprise, AM released a few select pictures of the Bond car in early May 2006 but with virtually no technical details at all. The prototype workshop had pulled out all of the stops and delivered two working ‘hero’ cars to the film producers late in April 2006 that could be used in close-ups and for regular driving sequences. It was obvious that the DBS was closely based on the DB9 chassis but had a new front (with carbonfibre splitter) and rear boot lid spoiler and diffuser, deeper sills and more vents on the bonnet. The interior was covered in Alcantara and the DBS had a conventional manual gear change with the shift pattern illuminated; the six speed Graziano gearbox was from the V8 Vantage. The car was a strict two seater with space behind the seats to hold a race helmet, a fire extinguisher and a gun holder,  both features never intended for production cars. The DBS V12 also had side indicator repeaters in the wing vents and clear rear light clusters both as previewed on the Rapide concept.

As well as the two ‘hero’ cars, AML had to prepare three former development DB9’s for use as DBS look-a-like stunt cars. The prototype DB9 manual was also supplied to the film crew so that the stunt drivers had something to practice with. The spectacular stunt involved the DBS swerving to avoid the Bond girl, Vesper Lynd, who was tied up and left on a country road at night in Montenegro. Initially the team practiced at Dunsfold Aerodrome near Guildford with battered BMW 5 series that when driven up a 12 inch ramp at 65 mph would barrel roll three of four times as intended.

The team moved on to the location of the shoot at the hill circuit at Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire. Practice continued with the manual DB9 but this proved more difficult to roll due to the stiff suspension and low centre of gravity, the DB9 refused to roll. For the first real take, the stunt DBS was driven at 70 mph upto a taller 18 inch ramp. but again, the car took off but landed back on all four wheels. As a back up, the team moved to the second of the stunt DBS and installed a nitrogen gas powered ram to punch the tarmac at the correct moment to start the car rolling. At a speed of 75 mph, the ram was deployed and the DBS started to roll. And it didn’t stop rolling until it had competed seven complete barrel rolls, a new Guinness World Record. The car landed back on it’s wheels and Adam Kirley, the driver walked away unharmed. The third stunt DBS was used a couple of weeks later at Millbrook for a bridging shot which became necessary so establish the start of the roll being due to a severe swerve rather than hitting the grass verge where the ramp was to be hidden.

Aston Martin have retained one of the hero cars and also the second DBS that achieved the world record for barrel rolls. They were both shown at the Kensington Palace Centenary Celebration during July 2013. The colour of the Bond cars was called ‘Casino Royale’ and became a standard DBS colour once production began later in 2007. as of 2017, the world record breaking car is on display as part of the ‘Bond in Motion’ exhibition near Covent Garden in London.

What was really odd was that Corgi, the British die-cast manufacturer, famous for the ever popular Goldfinger DB5, actually previewed their model DBS V12 at the British Toy Fair held in London during January 2006 – needless to say, pictures flew around the internet instantly. After all, the Corgi DB5 is one of the greatest toys of all time, the Corgi DBS V12 had a tough act to follow.

The radiator shell had a slight but definite V shape which helps to identify the cars known by the AMOC & AMHT as belonging to the second series. The ‘New’ International was something of an interim model and only about 12 were built when it was effectively replaced by the Le Mans later in the same year.

It must be noted at this point that the familiar enameled Aston Martin ‘wings’ badge (designed by SCH “Sammy” Davis) that exists to this day was first used on the last examples of the ‘New’ International. Strangely, the Le Mans that replaced the ‘New’ International retained the earlier chromed badge.

According to the records from the time, a single 4 door 4 seater International saloon was built in early 1932. It has survived and now has open 4 seater touring coachwork.

This wonderful Q specification DBX 707 was on display at the exclusive Q showroom on Park Avenue in New York. The coachwork is finished in special order Bugatti Blue with Q spec Cote d Azur Blue Semi Aniline leather interior.

This is LM18, which achieved 12th overall at Le Mans and a 5th place in the TT of 1935. It was photographed competing in the Pre-war Sports Car Race at Coys Festival, Silverstone in 1999. It has also been more recently photographed at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegence 2013 competing in the Aston Martin Centenary Class

LM19 was probably the least successful of the 1935 Team Cars after crashing at Le Mans and being flagged off the TT later in the year. But thankfully today it competes with success in AMOC club races throughout the season.

LM20, another of the 1935 Team cars scored a splendid 3rd in the Le Mans 24 hour race plus 1st in class. In the 1935 TT, the car came in a creditable 4th.

LM21 was added to the Team after Le Mans but prior to the 1935 TT event where it was placed 11th. It was photographed in the paddock at Silverstone (number 10) together with LM18, at Coys Festival in 1996

By 1940, the car received some serious modifications with the addition of a 3 litre straight 6 cylinder Sunbeam twin cam engine. In order to get this to fit, the radiator was moved forward and a Lancia Lambda independent front axle fitted. The sump of the new larger engine would have fouled the original Aston Martin front axle. To cope with the power hike, hydraulic brakes were also added.

During the late 1960’s the car was re-discovered, in poor condition, hiding behind a barn in Kent but crucially the original brake and front axle were still with it. It was restored back to it’s original condition although with a 2 litre Rover engine.

Andy Bell of Ecurie Bertelli managed to buy this unique Aston Martin in 2006 in order to prevent it from being chopped up and turned into a race car. It was then fitted with a prototype 2 litre supercharged Speed Model engine, with a claimed output of 165bhp and 160lb.ft. of torque. The owner describes it as a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Written with the kind assistance of Andy Bell at Ecurie Bertelli

All of the cars supplied for the production were built to the same specification. Left hand drive German spec with coachwork in a shade later called ‘Quantum Silver’ and with Obsidian Black semi-aniline leather and silver stitching.

The six hero cars all survived filming unharmed. One was retained by the factory, the other five were all sold off to customers. Below is the DBS retained by AML, photographed at the 2013 Aston Martin Centenary, the Gaydon factory and the 2023 AMHT Walter Hayes Leacture.

One of the stunt cars was totally destroyed when it was driven into the lake in a freak accident. At least two examples of the stunt cars have survived the film and are occasionally displayed in museums and events. One surviving stunt car, was photographed at the  BMIHT Museum at Gaydon in Autumn, 2009. Another example, was exhibited at the Kensington Palace Aston Martin Centenary Celebration in July 2013.

The below (blue) wonderful car (Le Mans 2/4 seater) was purchased new by the World Land Speed record holder, Sir Malcolm Campbell. It this perhaps the same shade of blue as his ‘Bluebirds’? History books describe something of an on / off relationship between Sir Malcolm and Aston Martin. At one time, he had a drive all fixed in a works car only to swap to a Mercedes before the race. Also he was critical of some of the cars that he tested for magazines and even described the Le Mans as ‘slow’. Of course, everything is slow in relation to the fastest car in the world.

The Le Mans was incredibly successful with in excess of 100 examples built. It was good looking with it’s low bonnet line (bodies by E. Bertelli Ltd. of course), plus the roof now folded inside the body. As it had become something of an Aston Martin ‘trade mark’, the cars were all fitted with cycle wings which turn with the front wheels.