The first evolution of the Aston Martin V8, under the V8 name, is widely known as the Series 2. Although the Series 2 is the first V8 generation built, it is known as the Series 2 because the DBS V8 is considered to be the Series 1 (due to it being the beginning of Astons using V8 engines). These cars, which featured many similarities to the DBS V8 they succeeded, were also known as the AM V8. Only available as coupes, the Series 2 V8s were powered by a fuel-injected 5.3L V8 engine that was offered with manual or automatic transmissions and drive being sent to the rear wheels. Just 288 examples of the Series 2 Aston Martin V8 were built until 1973, before the introduction of the Series 3 Aston Martin V8.