Both coupe and convertible versions of the hardcore AMR-branded DB12 have been spied at Aston’s Nurburgring testing HQ
April 13, 2025 at 07:27
- Aston Martin’s DB12 AMR prototypes have been spotted pounding the Nurburgring.
- AMR – Aston Martin Racing – trims usually get more power and a sportier chassis.
- Both coupe and convertible were spotted with a new grille, bumpers and tailpipes.
Aston Martin’s long awaited Valhalla broke cover this month, its mid-engined layout pitting the brand directly against Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren. But spy shots of a pair of DB12 AMRs at the Nurburgring show Aston isn’t about to abandon its front-engined roots, even on its hardcore enthusiast models.
AMR stands for Aston Martin Racing and is the badge the automaker applies to more driver-focused variants of its cars. The previous generation Vantage and DB11 both got AMR variants and CEO Adrian Hallmark hinted that we could see more of the badge in the future as Aston looks to capitalize on its recent and costly new model blitz by spinning off variants.
Related: V12 Vanquish Volante Is The World’s Fastest And Most Powerful Front-Engine Convertible
AMR models traditionally get more power, a sportier chassis tune and subtle design enhancements, including improved aero treatments, and we can certainly spot the last of those in these images of the DB12 coupe and convertible making their spy shot debuts.
The stock DB12 already has an aggressive front end design with a prominent lip spoiler built into the bumper, but the AMR tacks on an extra front lip featuring a miniature slats at either end. It also swaps the horizontal grille bars for an egg-crate design that references the grille on some of Aston’s classic racing cars.
Changes at the rear are easier to spot because the brand has swapped the one-at-each-corner oval tailpipe layout for a stacked pair at each side, something we’ve seen Lexus (on the IS F) and Ferrari (on the California) do before. And instead of the trunk lid being fitted with an active spoiler that is neatly tucked away when you don’t need the downforce, the AMR has a small, fixed Gurney flap.
Aston’s new Vanquish comes with V12 power but the switch from the DB11 to the DB12 coincided with a move to the 4.0-liter AMG bi-turbo V8 used in other models like the Vantage and DBX. It pumps out 671 hp (680 PS) in the standard DB12, which is actually 41 hp (41 PS) more than the old DB11 AMR’s V12 could muster, and we can expect the DB12 AMR to inflate that figure even further. The DBX 707 SUV already employs a version of the same AMG M177 V8 with 697 hp (707 PS) so, the DB12 AMR being a sports car, it stands to reason that it might boast an even higher output.
We’re expecting to get a proper look at the AMR later this year, but it’ll cost you if you want to do more than look. The stock DB11 Coupe and Volante convertible are priced at $252,000 and $272,000 respectively, so AMR prices could nestle either side of the $300k mark.
