Aston Martin DBS 2010

First Impressions: 2010 Aston Martin DBS Carbon Black Special Edition

Monday May 10th, 2010 at 8:55 AM

For the folks at Aston Martin, it’s apparently not enough to make some of the finest sports cars on the planet. With the recently unveiled Carbon Black Special Editions of the DBS and V12 Vantage models, Aston Martin can now claim to make some of the most exclusive cars on the road as well.
Although primarily a stylistic makeover, the Carbon
Black treatment results in an understated but still absolutely stunning automobile. From the rich bespoke metallic black paint, which reportedly takes over 50 hours to apply, to the 10 spoke alloy wheels with diamond turned and gloss black finish, the stealthy look exudes power and sophistication.
We recently had the opportunity to spend a little time with a DBS Carbon Black that is touring the country and after seeing the car in person, we can honestly say that photos don’t fully capture the exquisite design and sheer beauty of this automobile. Take a closer look at the rich, deep paint and the gorgeous wheels, and you start to understand why someone would drop some serious coin to own one of these.
The interior builds on the Carbon Black theme, featuring Obsidian Black leather upholstery highlighted with a contrast silver coarse stitch and an Obsidian Black Alcantara headliner. Although maybe not the perfect vehicle for a hot summer day, the craftmanship is exceptional and the seats are even made from carbon fiber and kevlar, saving close to 40 lbs over the standard setup. Aston Martin has also made sure to cater to discerning ears by including the 1000 Watt Bang and Olufsen Beosound DBS audio system with retracting tweeters. The sound, suffice it to say, is as stunning as the rest of the car.
Any remaining doubt we had about the desire to own this car was quickly dispelled during a brief test drive through scenic Marin County. Despite remaining essentially unchanged since 2007, the DBS still offers one of the most rewarding driving experiences available today. From the glorious exhaust tone of the 510 hp V12, to the effortlessly precise handling, to the advanced adaptive dampers and carbon ceramic brake system, this is one of the few supercars that can be driven comfortably on a daily basis while also offering world class performance.
Although every Aston Martin features breathtaking style, blistering performance, and the exclusivity that comes with a six-figure price tag, there will always be a few customers who clamor for something even more refined, more exclusive, and more unique. For such individuals, the Carbon Black Special Edition cars, which will be available in very limited quantities, should provide the perfect automotive indulgence.