DB7

DB7. The DB7 is a grand tourer produced by the British manufacturer Aston Martin from 1994 to 2004. Conceived as a crucial model for the company's revival under Ford Motor Company ownership, it became the best-selling car in Aston Martin history at the time. Its elegant design, penned by Ian Callum, successfully evoked the classic lines of iconic predecessors like the DB5 while utilizing a platform derived from the Jaguar XJS.

Overview

Introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 1993, the DB7 was positioned as an accessible entry point into the Aston Martin brand, aiming to significantly increase sales volume. The model played a pivotal role in the financial and commercial rejuvenation of the Newport Pagnell-based marque during the 1990s. It was initially offered as a coupé, with a volante convertible version following later to broaden its appeal. The car's success is often credited with funding the development of subsequent flagship models and securing the company's future.

Development and design

The DB7's development, known internally as Project NPX, originated from a proposal by Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) to create a new sports car using existing Jaguar components. After Ford Motor Company's acquisition of Aston Martin in 1987, this concept was greenlit to create a more affordable model. Designer Ian Callum, then at TWR Design, crafted the bodywork, drawing inspiration from classic Aston Martin models like the DB4 GT Zagato and incorporating design cues from earlier concept cars such as the Lagonda Vignale. The chassis was a heavily modified version of the Jaguar XJS platform, with engineering work carried out at the TWR Group facility in Kidlington.

Production and variants

Manufactured at Aston Martin's new factory in Bloxham, the DB7 entered production in 1994. The initial model, known as the DB7 Coupé, was powered by a supercharged 3.2-litre straight-six engine sourced from Jaguar. In 1996, the DB7 Volante convertible was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. A significant evolution arrived in 1999 with the DB7 Vantage, which replaced the straight-six with a 5.9-litre V12 engine developed from the unit in the Aston Martin Virage. Special editions included the high-performance DB7 GT and the final DB7 Zagato, a limited-run coupe designed in collaboration with the famed Italian coachbuilder Zagato.

Technical specifications

The early DB7 featured a supercharged 3.2-litre AJ6 engine, producing 335 horsepower and 361 lb⋅ft of torque, paired with either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic. The DB7 Vantage's 5.9-litre V12 engine, related to the powerplant in the V12 Vantage prototype, generated 420 horsepower. This model used a six-speed manual transmission from Tremec or a five-speed automatic transmission from ZF. The chassis employed an independent double wishbone suspension setup at both the front and rear, with ventilated disc brakes on all four wheels providing stopping power.

Reception and legacy

Upon its launch, the DB7 received widespread acclaim for its stunning aesthetics, with praise from publications like Autocar and Car and Driver. It was awarded the Motoring Press Guild's "Most Significant New Car of the Year" in 1995. While some critics noted its Jaguar mechanical origins, the model was commercially triumphant, with over 7,000 units sold. The DB7's success provided essential capital for Aston Martin, enabling the development of the Vanquish and the entirely new DB9, which replaced it. Today, it is recognized as a modern classic that revitalized a legendary British marque and remains a cornerstone of Aston Martin's modern history.

Category:Aston Martin vehicles Category:Grand tourers Category:Vehicles introduced in 1994