The Aston Martin DB12 is the mainstream grand touring 2+2 in the British sports car manufacturer’s line-up and the latest in a long line of DB badged Astons. Logically enough, it’s the successor to the DB11, albeit one that does without that car’s V12 engine. Instead, there’s an uprated 680hp version of the AMG V8 that’s found in a wide variety of other cars and SUVs, not to mention the Vantage and DBX SUV.

As such, it’s a luxury performance rival to the likes of the Porsche 911 and Maserati GranTurismo. The kind of GT sports car that proffers occasional rear seats, an epic drive and a boot big enough to swallow a weekend’s luggage for a romantic getaway.

The DB12 represents a step up from the entry-level Vantage range: in power, performance and price. Delivering its grand tourer (or Super Tourer, in Astonspeak) credentials is a more luxurious vibe, a bigger boot and a pair of occasional +2 rear seats.

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What’s it like inside?

The exterior is an aggressive evolution of what came before with the DB11 – but it’s inside the new DB12 where the serious change is wrought. There is an all-new interior, and not before time. Its predecessor’s cabin was let down by an aged design, poor quality construction and disappointingly old-tech electronics.

It’s a shortcoming that Aston Martin has readily admitted and it has invested heavily in a new cockpit design. Everything from the seats to the dashboard is changed and the starring feature is the first application of the company’s new infotainment system.

This is significant, marking the end of old Volvo and Mercedes-Benz hand-me-downs. It’s a new Aston-developed digital set-up that controls stereo, navigation and multiple other services, all controlled through a state-of-the-art touchscreen. It’s responsive to commands and has sharp graphics, although it is mounted rather low in the centre console. Thankfully maps and other information can be displayed in the equally sharp driver’s display.

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Don’t worry if you hate digital touchpoints for things like heating controls: you can also swivel old-fashioned physical dials, while there are buttons for other key features. These feel expensive in their operation and make for a more user-friendly interior than the Ferrari Roma, for instance.

Those rear seats are pretty vestigial, but will accommodate small children, while the boot capacity is a decent 262 litres. No doubt many will end up using the rear seats as additional luggage space, although the boot is big enough for a couple of carry-on suitcases with room to spare.

Quality is certainly an improvement on the old DB11, although our pre-production test car did have a few flimsy bits of trim.

Comfort

Those new seats come with a multitude of electric adjustments that make it easy to find a driving position that suits. An electrically operated adjustable steering column helps, and allows the memory function to take control here. The seats remain comfortable even after hours of cruising, yet they hold you in place exceptionally well in the bends, too.

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When you are being sensible, the V8 becomes a distant background rumble while wind and even tyre noise is well contained. You hear rubber meet road far more in the Porsche 911, for instance. The DB12 is a wide car with very kerbable wheels, so the high-definition surround-view camera makes tight manoeuvres less stressful.

Safety

Euro NCAP are unlikely to crash test the DB12, although there’s nothing to suggest it should perform poorly. The body structure is rigid and there’s plenty of safety kit as standard, too. This includes:

• Autonomous emergency braking with forward collision alert
• Adaptive cruise control with stop/go, lane centring and speed limit adaptation
• Traffic sign recognition
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Front and rear cross traffic alert
• Adaptive LED headlights

With an advanced stability control system to keep you out of trouble in the first place, the DB12 should protect you well.

What’s it like to drive?

A figure of 680hp might sound daunting, but the DB12 is perfectly tractable in normal use. The engine pulls well from low rpm and automatic gearbox changes smoothly, making it no more stressful than a big luxury saloon to schlep along in. With the suspension in its softest setting, you’re aware of bumps passing beneath you yet their impact is always softened with no crashes or thuds.

Turn the knurled drive selector to Sport, and the engine and gearbox both wake up a little. Throttle response is a bit sharper and the gearbox is keener to kick down, while the suspension is firmed for greater control without losing too much Comfort. Sport+ is a bit much for the road with gears held too long and stiff suspension.

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The steering also gains weight as you go through the modes, and even in Comfort there are subtle messages regarding the road’s surface filtering through the rim. This keeps you involved even at sane speeds, giving you the confidence to push a little harder.

You soon find a combination of huge mechanical grip and subtle electronic assistance means you can really use the power on offer. Not that you can do it for long, the 3.5 second 0-62mph time doesn’t do justice to the immense performance.

It corners well, too. Comfort mode is a little too soft, with Sport bringing sharper responses and better body control. Body roll is minimal and the brakes are strong with good feel, even after a few hard stops. The DB12 has fine balance in the bends and if you turn off the stability control, is very controllable beyond the limits of grip. It’s not quite as agile and flighty as a Ferrari Roma, but it’s exceptionally good fun and very rewarding.

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We do wish the automatic gearbox was a bit more intelligent during hard driving, although the manual mode does help a great deal. Even then, it’s not as sharp as the dual-clutch PDK ‘box found in the Porsche 911.

We expect a more comfortable ride, owing to the fitment of new active dampers in the suspension to soak up bumps in the road; the company claims a broader range between comfort and sporty settings with a choice of GT, Sport, Sport+, Wet and Individual modes selected by the driver.

A rotary dial on the centre console tunes the chassis, throttle response and gearbox settings, giving the Aston Martin DB12 the character of a soft grand tourer to soak up the motorway miles or sharpen the suspension to tackle your favourite back road – all at the flick of a switch.

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What models and trims are available?

A single DB12 will be offered in the UK, powered by the V8 engine. Standard specification comes with single-colour bodywork but buyers can choose metallic paint and special finishes from the Q personalisation department. There’s also a gloss black or carbonfibre pack for details such as door mirrors, side spats and roof pillar running from the windscreen to the back of the car.

Alloy wheels are 21 inches in diameter and every model comes with leather upholstery and Alcantara headlining. All manner of optional extras are available, from 16-way adjustable electric seats, walnut or aluminium dashboard inlays, deep-shagpile carpets and an upgraded Bowers & Wilkins stereo.

Hand-in-hand with the new tech stack come cutting-edge digital services and an app. The DB12 is the first connected Aston Martin and features include the usual convenience functions, car tracking, trip data and diagnostics with over-the-air updates. It’s a significant step forwards for the brand.