Aston Martin reveals DBS Superleggera

Having cranked the DB11 up to eleven with a new AMR version, Aston Martin has pushed the boundaries of V12 performance even further with a new DBS Superleggera coupe.

Based on the current DB11, the new machine is a lighter, faster and more expensive version of Aston Martin’s gran turismo, one intended to poach customers from the supercar elite. Lean and focused in the flesh compared with the DB11, the new machine presents a sharper and more purposeful take on the company's modern design ethos.

Kevin Wall, regional manager of Australia and New Zealand for Aston Martin, hosted previews of the new DBS in Australia for a small number of prospective customers and journalists.

Asked to nominate a rival for the new machine, Wall drew parallels with Ferrari’s range-topping 812 Superfast, which features a front-mounted V12 engine in a similar layout to the new Aston.

“A few 812 clients popped in to take a look at it,” Wall says.

“I think it’s an interesting comparison to make. The Superfast is clearly an amazing car, and ‘super fast’ it is, but no faster than DBS Superleggera. They both top out at 340km/h.

“All I can say is people who are very familiar with 812 Superfast found this car interesting.”

Powered by a development of the twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V12 of the DB11, the new DBS Superleggera sends an impressive 533kW and 900Nm to the rear wheels through an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. That makes it less powerful than the 588kW Ferrari, though a significant 182Nm torque advantage in the Aston’s favour should make it feel stronger in the real world. Aston’s claimed 3.4 second dash to 100km/h is 0.5 seconds slower than the Ferrari, however its $517,000 (plus on-roads) asking price undercuts the Italian by almost $100,000.

Rivalries aside, the DBS Superleggera is an awesome piece of kit. Revised aerodynamics building on the DBS’ clever front wheel arch ‘curlicue’ and rear ‘aeroblade’ lend 180 kilograms of downforce at top speed, while lightweight carbon fibre elements for the bonnet and roof contribute to 85 kilograms saved compared to its sibling – hence the Superleggera or ‘super light’ name.

In a way, the DBS is a successor to the outgoing Vanquish, a car which served up a hotter engine and lighter bodywork connected to the same aluminium chassis as the Aston Martin DB9.

But Aston Martin says the DBS is not a replacement to that car. Rumour has it the Vanquish name could return on a hotly anticipated mid-engine model set to challenge Ferrari’s 488 GTB in the near future.

Wall says the DBS and new Vantage should win the attention of customers previously dismissive of the marque.

“Nothing feels like Aston Martin the way it does now,” he said.

“There were times when it hasn’t been so healthy. Just two years ago everything was old, the dealerships needed some investment and we needed new product.

“There is a momentum with this brand.”

Promising a more focused, track-honed driving experience than current models, Aston also doesn’t want you to think of this as a DB11 spin-off. But the DBS’ cabin makes it feel exactly that. We had a look at the new model shortly after test-driving the latest DB11 Volante and struggled to identify differences behind the wheel.

It features the same instrumentation and Mercedes-sourced infotainment hardware as the DB11, with a similar cabin layout finished – at least in this gorgeous demonstrator model – to a higher standard than a regular DB11.

Standard equipment includes smart keys, an 8-inch screen hooked up to sat nav, a 360-degree camera, Bluetooth and USB smartphone connectivity. Heated sports seats with electric memory adjustment are nice to have, though the standard piano black finish might look cheap at this price.

As ever, customers can choose from an extraordinary range of colour and trim options including open pore wood, standard or eye-catching ‘chopped’ carbon fibre, interior jewellery and special quilting for textile trim. Other extras worthy of consideration include a titanium exhaust and Bang and Olufsen audio system. Enormous 410mm carbon ceramic brakes are standard, as are forged 21-inch wheels with 305mm-wide Pirellis on the back end.

Priced from $517,000 plus on-road costs, the DBS Superleggera is available for order now, with deliveries set to begin in late 2018 or early 2019. Potential customers who have not placed an order will have to wait longer, as the initial Australian allocation has sold out.

2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera pricing and specifications:

Price: From $517,000 plus on-road costs

On sale: Late 2018/early 2019

Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 petrol

Power: 533kW at 6500rpm

Torque: 900Nm at 1800-6500rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel-drive

Fuel use: TBC