The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is a grand tourer produced by British luxury car manufacturer Aston Martin since 2018. In June 2018, Aston Martin unveiled the car as the marque's V12 flagship grand tourer based on the DB11 V12 but featuring modifications that sets it apart from the DB11 lineage as a replacement to the Vanquish. This car uses the iconic DBSname plate since the original DBS and the DB9-based DBS V12, alongside the Superleggera name, which pays tribute to Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, who helped Aston Martin develop their lightest grand tourers in the 1960s and 1970s.
Design and Transmission
The front of the DBS features a new front bumper with a large centre grille in order for improved engine cooling along with two air extractors on the sides to cool the brakes and two vents on the hood that aid in the engine cooling process. The 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine is uprated at at 6,500 rpm and of torque from 1,800–5,000 rpm. In order to optimise the centre of gravity and weight distribution, the V12 unit has been positioned as low and as far back in the chassis as possible. The DBS Superleggera features the new ZF 8HP95 transmission with a shorter final-drive ratio of 2.93:1, in contrast to the DB11's 2.70:1. Chassis-wise, it also comes with torque vectoring and a mechanical limited slip differential for more focused track performance. The car also features the same aerodynamics first seen on the DB11 including Aston Martin's innovative Aeroblade system, but refines aerodynamics with an F1-inspired double-diffuser that helps the car generate of downforce – the highest figure ever for a series production Aston Martin. A new quad-pipe titanium exhaust system ensures improved engine sound while the usage of carbon fibre in major areas of the car lowers the weight down to.
Performance
The DBS Superleggera can accelerate from 0- in 3.4 seconds, and 0- in 6.4 seconds. The car can also accelerate from in 4.2 seconds at fourth gear and can attain a top speed of. Three driving modes are available: GT, Sport, and Sport Plus which adjust the car's responsiveness.
Variants
DBS Superleggera Volante
A Volante model of the DBS Superleggera was unveiled in April 2019. It has nearly identical performance and the same engine and transmission as the coupé but comes with an eight-layer soft top with eight colour options. For the first time on an Aston Martin automobile, the windshield surround is available in carbon fibre as well as the rear tonneau cover.
DBS Superleggera OHMSS
In May 2019, Aston Martin unveiled a DBS Superleggerra to celebrate 50 years of the James Bond filmOn Her Majesty's Secret Service. The car followed the specification of the original DBS used in the film, with an Olive Green exterior colour and a traditional Aston Martin Grill. Only 50 units were made.
Reception and Marketing
Matt Saunders of Autocar rewarded the DBS Superleggera with a perfect five-star score stating, "This is already an outstanding super-GT and represents a rejuvenated British car maker at its absolute best." Motoring journalist Jeremy Clarkson criticized the DBS Superleggera Volante stating that it "endlessley catches it's chin-mounted skid plates on speed humps" while also criticizing the speed claiming, "It's almost too fast" and that buyers "would be well advised to treat the throttle with extreme caution" concluding that buyers would be better off with the DB11 Volante." The DBS is set to make an appearance in the James Bond filmNo Time to Die.
