Performance Review: Aston-Martin DB7 Vantage - [1999]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Aston-Martin DB7 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Aston-Martin DB7 Vantage is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1999. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2000 Ultima GTR 720 and the 2000 TVR Cerbera Speed 12.This particular Aston-Martin DB7 has a 5935cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The DB7 shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the DB7's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1780 kgs (3924 lbs) this makes the Aston-Martin DB7 Vantage in the same weight category as the 2025 Lamborghini Fenomeno V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The Aston-Martin DB7 shares the same bhp with the 2025 Toyota Supra A90 Final Edition (435 bhp)

In terms of power the 5935cc 48V V12 engine produces 420 bhp (313 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2025 Toyota Supra A90 Final Edition (435 bhp) or the 2024 Audi A3 RS 3 Saloon (395 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 400 lb-ft (542.3 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2025 Ford Mustang GT Fastback (418 lb-ft) or the 2025 Toyota Supra A90 Final Edition (421 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Aston-Martin DB7 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2022 BMW 8 Series M850i xDrive 4.4 V8 Turbo G15 (260.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Aston-Martin DB7.

The Aston-Martin DB7 has a Power to weight ratio of 235.9 bhp per ton and 224.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1999 DB7 competing with the 2022 BMW 8 Series M850i xDrive 4.4 V8 Turbo G15 (260.8 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet 991 (260.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Aston-Martin DB7 generating around 224.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2009 Nissan Skyline GT-R Spec V R35 (249.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S 4.8 V8 (249.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.4 secs, this made the Aston-Martin DB7 Vantage as fast as the 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (5.20 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (5.20 secs) the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (5.20 secs) the or the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Mid Range (5.20 secs). This Aston-Martin DB7 Vantage is also faster than the 2020 Toyota Yaris GR RZ High Performance First Edition (5.30 secs) the 2020 Toyota Yaris GR RZ First Edition (5.30 secs) the 2020 Toyota Yaris GR (5.30 secs) the and the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (5.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the DB7 and the 2007 Maserati GranTurismo 4.2 V8

When talking about the performance of the Aston-Martin DB7 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.19 secs @ 103.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 Maserati GranTurismo 4.2 V8 (13.14 secs), the 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 7.4 V8 Sports Coupe 365 (13.15 secs), and the 1969 Lamborghini Espada S II (13.15 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1999 version of the Aston-Martin DB7 Vantage has a maximum speed of 185mph.

Top Speed of the 1999 DB7 equals the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (196 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1999 Aston-Martin DB7 Vantage then how about the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (196 mph), the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 63 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (196 mph), or the 2021 Porsche Cayman GT4 RS 4.0 982 (196 mph).

Related Links:

1999 DB7 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Aston-Martin

Car Comparison