Aston Martin DB7

If you look back 30 years (think of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper), you
will remember the release of Aston Martin's DB-6.  Then in 1970 the last
DB-6 was made.  Since then the Astons have been derivative of the DBS V-8
(including the current Vantage and Virage).  And since then Astons have
evolved to become an upper-class British muscle car; think of 150% scale
Mustangs put together by Rolls-Royce.

Structurally, the DB7 consists of the stillborn Jaguar F-Type chassis, which
was actually a modification of the old XJS platform.  The F-Type, of course,
was canceled in favor of the XK8, but oddly, the XK8 is also founded on an XJS
chassis variation, meaning that the DB7 and XK8 are--structurally at least--
rather close cousins.

In addition to the DB7's Jaguar sourced skeleton, a variety of its innards are
also transplanted from the feline.  These parts are primarily the Jaguar XJR's
2-cam, 4-valve, supercharged inline-6.  With some re-modification by the Tom
Walkinshaw Racing, the engine has been destroked to 19 mm, reducing the engine
displacement from 3980 to 3239 cubic centimeters.  This in turn allows the car
to rev faster and raising the redline 500 rpm to 6000.  Increasing the XJR's
10.0 psi to 14.7, the horsepower has been jacked from 322 bhp to 355, and the
torque has been lessedn from 378 pound-feet to 361.

With a bulky curb weight of 3890 pounds, the DB7 nevertheless accelerates
briskly, climbing to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds.  If it were not for a terrible case
of rear-wheel tramp, and sudden clutch drop, the DB7 could easily do 60 mph in
the 5.0 sec range.  The 3.2-liter engine in this near 2 ton car, lacks the
needed torque.  However, running full throttle to redline the engine's urge
climbing is quite linear, with little vibration and maximum rev limits.

Design-wise the DB7 maybe the best-looking car for many years to come.  With a
thorough and seductive blend of past Aston Martin themes with modern and quite
timeless form.  From the glaring, angry headlights to the trademark Aston side
vents to the power suggestive broad squat rear, the DB7 drips with sex, panache
and class.

The elegant DB7 comes along with a $135,000 price tag.  Although it is not an
exceedingly fast car, all qualms will be dismissed after a few days behind the
wheel.