ASTON MARTIN DB7 Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Aston Martin built a limited edition of the Aston Martin DB7, named DB7 GT. It was produced in a limited number and it was different in many ways than the standard DB7.

The Aston Martin DB7 was a GT car built on the base of the older Jaguar XJS model, which was launched in 1975. But it was not a bad platform. Its handling was ahead of its time and, when fitted with the right sub-components, it was still on the game three decades later. It was that good. And the DB7 GT and the DB7 GT A were the proof. There were 190 models of the GT and 112 GTA built. The difference was that the GTA was fitted with the Aston Martin Touchtronic gearbox which was a ZF 5-speed automatic with buttons on the steering wheel to manually select the gears.

The DB7 GT featured a silver mesh grille with a special, red, logo on top of the Aston Martin badge. The hood was redesigned and gave the car a sportier look. On the side, the specific 5-spoke light-alloy wheels were fitted only on the GT model. In the back, the spoiler on the trunk lid was wider than the one fitted on the regular DB7.

Inside, the cabin was almost the same, but with nicer materials and different seats installed, which offered better side support. Black oak wood or carbon-fiber trim were offered exclusively for the GT and GTA.

The DB7 GT featured the same 6.0-liter V12 that was found on the DB7, but it was tuned to offer more power. The suspension was reinforced and a limited-slip differential was installed.

Aston Martin inked a deal and built a Zagato version for its successful DB7 in 2003 and sold it in 99 copies. The hundredth unit was stored in the British automaker's museum.

Aston Martin and Zagato built a few vehicles throughout their history and decided to create another one based on the DB7. Thus, Andrea Zagato and Henrik Fisker (who was running Aston Martin's design department) started to pen a vehicle like no other from the DB7 lineup. It wasn't just a line here and there and a new set of wheels. Since the car was shorter than its regular siblings, you might say that this was a different vehicle.

Unlike the Vantage or the GT versions, the Zagato featured a single, broader grille than the other two. The headlights and fog lamps were similar, though. The profile, however, showed the distinct Z-shaped roof line design signature. In addition, the wide rear quarter panels gave a muscular impression to the car. Finally, at the back, the DB7 Zagato featured round taillights instead of horizontal, wide ones.

Inside, due to the shorter wheelbase, the Zagato version received only two sport bucket seats but not a rear bench. Instead, behind the occupants, Aston Martin installed an upholstered shelf for some expensive, fine-leather luggage. The dashboard's layout and features were similar to those installed in the Vantage. Still, here the designers created a unique interior, with two-tone leather on the doors and a distinct color for the dashboard.

Under the hood, the automaker installed the same engine as the one from the Vantage. Yet, it bumped the power figures a little bit higher. Surprisingly, though, it wasn't faster than its sibling.

The Aston Martin DB7 was the rich brother of the Jaguar XK8 and, in 1999, it received a new version named Vantage.

The British brand was famed for staring in James Bond movies. But the DB7 was not chosen for any movie with the famous British spy agent. Strangely, in the 1999 movie "The world is not enough", James Bond drove an Aston Martin DB5. Yet, the DB7 was already launched since 1997 when "Tomorrow never dies" appeared and 007 drove the same, classic, DB5.

The Vantage was considered by many as a more powerful Jaguar XK8 instead of a true thoroughbred Aston Martin. There were many similarities between the two cars, starting with the base platform and with the styling. The curved long hood, shaped headlights, and low beltline. The coupe line was oriented more for a GT vehicle than for a race-oriented one.

Inside the vehicle, there were four seats even though the rear ones were big enough to accommodate a tiny toddler. But the front seats were far more important, and those offered enough comfort for long cruises. The Aston Martin Vantage was a true Gran Tourer with a powerful engine. Its amenities were exclusive and the mix between wood and leather was typical for a British engineered car.

The standard vehicle came with a 6-speed manual transmission, but an option for a 5-speed automatic was available. The manual version was considerably faster but, for a more relaxed drive, the automatic was chosen more often.

Aston Martin introduced the gorgeous DB7 in 1993 while it was under Ford's umbrella and later on shared its platform with the XK8 from Jaguar.

When Tom Walkinshaw wanted a GT based on the same platform as the Jaguar XJS he drove in the European Touring Car Championship, he tried to find a designer to pen the car. The answer came from a young automotive designer named Ian Callum, who used many off-the-shelf parts to cut production costs. At that time, Ford had already owned 75% of the Aston Martin and green-lighted the project. Thus, in 1993, the British brand unveiled the DB7.

Nobody cared that the front blinkers, door handles, and taillights came from Mazda. The organic shapes of the vehicle seduced the audience at the 1993 Geneva Motor Show, where it was launched. Its clear headlights covered the dual headlamps and flanked the specific Aston Martin grille that was made slimmer than on the Vantage, for instance. From its profile, the DB7 featured a raked windshield and a short roof extended in the back by the sloped rear windscreen.

Inside, the leather-wrapped cabin offered a luxurious experience for DB7's customers. Moreover, the wood trims on the center stack and console amplified that sensation. But, unfortunately, the Ford Fiesta-sourced buttons for adjusting the mirrors and other dials left a bitter taste for those who paid big money for the car.

Under the hood, the carmaker installed a Jaguar 3.2-liter supercharged engine. Its inline-six provided 340 hp, which was considered adequate for those times.