A complete guide to Aston Martin models: the DB line, Vantage, DBS, Vanquish, Lagonda, the DBX SUV and the Valkyrie and Valhalla hypercars.
Aston Martin models form one of the most prestigious bloodlines in motoring: more than seventy years of British grand touring, from the elegant DB coupes to the most extreme hypercars. This complete guide reviews the great families of Aston Martin models, their philosophy and their milestones, to help you understand a range as rich as it is desirable, from the classic collector car to the sharpest modern sports car.
The DB line, heart of the Aston Martin models
Launched by David Brown in 1950, the DB series is the soul of the marque. The DB2 opened the way, the DB4 (1958) introduced Touring Superleggera coachwork, and the DB5 (1963) became world-famous thanks to James Bond. The DB6 and the 1970s DBS carried on the grand touring spirit. In the modern era the line continues with the DB7 (1994), the DB9, the DB11 and the DB12 (2023), a true contemporary Super Tourer. These grand tourers embody the blend of comfort, elegance and performance that defines the Aston Martin models.
Vantage: the everyday sports car
More compact and more incisive, the Vantage is the most accessible sports car in the range. From the V8 Vantage of the 1970s to the current model, by way of the V12 Vantage cherished by purists, it targets drivers in search of pure thrills and a sharp chassis. Now powered by a twin-turbo V8 developed with Mercedes-AMG, it is often the gateway into the world of Aston Martin models.
DBS and Vanquish: the V12 flagships
At the top of the grand touring range sit the DBS and Vanquish, powered by mighty V12 engines. The first Vanquish (2001) introduced a paddle-shift gearbox and a structure blending aluminium and carbon fibre; the modern DBS Superleggera tops 700 bhp. These flagships combine sovereign power with refinement, and include some of the most coveted cars the marque has ever built.
Lagonda: avant-garde ambition
The 1976 Lagonda, with its wedge silhouette penned by William Towns, was one of the most daring saloons of its time and a pioneer of electronic instrumentation. The marque revived the name in 2015 with the Lagonda Taraf, an ultra-exclusive luxury saloon, a reminder that the Aston Martin models are not limited to sports coupes alone.
DBX: the first SUV from the marque
Launched in 2020, the DBX marked a historic turning point: it is the first SUV in Aston Martin history. In DBX707 form, with its 707 bhp, it proves that an SUV can combine family practicality with the dynamism of a sports car. It quickly became the best-selling model of the marque and a commercial cornerstone of its balance sheet.
The hypercars: Valkyrie, Valhalla and limited editions
At the absolute summit, the hypercars push every limit. The Valkyrie, born of Formula 1 with Adrian Newey, exceeds 1,000 bhp thanks to its naturally aspirated V12; the hybrid Valhalla follows in its wake. Alongside them, ultra-limited series such as the One-77 and the track-only Vulcan showcase the exceptional craftsmanship of the Aston Martin models.
How to choose among the Aston Martin models
It all depends on use: the DB line for grand touring, the Vantage for sportiness, the DBX for everyday versatility, the hypercars for collecting. When choosing, also weigh the running costs and the rarity, which make certain Aston Martin models genuine passion investments. Whatever your choice, the Aston Martin models share the same DNA: the British art of the exceptional car. Across more than seventy years, the Aston Martin models have remained handbuilt, exclusive and unmistakably British, blending motorsport know-how with everyday usability. To dig deeper, explore the official Aston Martin website or the Aston Martin page on Wikipedia.
