Meet the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera – a V12 Powered Super GT
DBS Superleggera. A true thoroughbred that marks the return of not one, but two illustrious names. With DBS, Aston Martin is reviving an iconic nameplate that first appeared on in 1967, while Touring’s famous mark – Superleggera – will once again adorn the bonnet of an Aston Martin.
A collaboration that originally paved the way to the DB4, 5 and 6 Mark 1, DBS Superleggera pays homage to the historic super lightweight construction technology of the famous Italian coachbuilder.
In the new DBS Superleggera, Aston Martin has a Super GT that’s a breed apart. One that takes the fight to the world’s best on its own terms. Clad using immaculately sculpted carbon fibre body panels this latest model is blessed with muscular, highly individual styling. A look that’s perfectly matched by epic performance courtesy of Aston Martin’s 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12, tuned to produce tremendous power and immense torque for breath-taking response and extraordinary in-gear performance.
As the British marque’s magnificent new Super GT flagship, DBS Superleggera replaces the esteemed Vanquish S. That’s a tough act to follow, but one it was born to do. With 725PS, 900Nm of torque, a top speed of 339km/h and blistering acceleration that dispatches 0-100km/h in just 3.4 seconds, DBS Superleggera is a car dedicated to delivering an unforgettable driving experience and class-leading in-gear acceleration.
While being resolutely modern in design and engineering, DBS Superleggera proudly evokes the towering reputations of Aston Martin’s hardest hitting and best-loved flagships from the past.
Combining generous proportions with aggression and athleticism, DBS Superleggera expresses itself with an explicit design language. One that combines compelling curves with advanced aerodynamics for a sleek shape that both cheats the wind and clamps the car to the road.
Evolving innovative aerodynamic concepts first seen on the DB11 – such as the curlicue and Aeroblade – and then taking things further with an F1-inspired double-diffuser, DBS Superleggera generates 180kg of downforce at VMAX: the highest figure ever for a series production Aston Martin. This significant increase comes with no additional drag penalty.
The heart of DBS Superleggera is Aston Martin’s 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 engine. Set low and and as far back in the chassis as possible to optimise the centre-of-gravity and weight distribution, this high-performance engine develops 725PS at 6500rpm and 900Nm from 1800-5000rpm.
Detailed tuning of the V12 together with a new exhaust strategy with active valves and quad tail pipes ensures DBS Superleggera has a commanding and powerful sound character, particularly in the more aggressive dynamic modes, while retaining a level of refinement and civility that compliments its role as the consummate Super GT.
DBS Superleggera deploys its prodigious power and torque to the rear wheels via a new rear-mounted ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. Featuring a mechanical limited-slip differential and torque vectoring for precise, predictable and exploitable handling and a lower final drive for explosive in-gear acceleration, DBS Superleggera combines the responses of a supercar with the refinement of a GT.
The chassis is an evolution of the latest generation lightweight bonded aluminium structure first seen on the DB11, with forged double wishbones at the front and a sophisticated multi-link system at the rear.
Latest generation adaptive damping is fitted as standard, with sensors detecting the prevailing driving conditions, as well as the demands the driver is making of the car. Both the powertrain and chassis have a choice of three dynamic modes – GT, Sport and Sport Plus – which can be selected by the driver to intensify or relax DBS Superleggera’s responses according to the needs of the driver.
DBS Superleggera features a generous level of standard equipment, including keyless entry, tyre pressure monitoring system and a 360-degree camera with Parking Distance Display and Park Assist. The audio system has DAB plus Bluetooth audio and phone streaming, iPod, iPhone and USB playback. There is also an integrated satellite navigation system and wi-fi hub. All the in-car infotainment systems use a central LCD screen, controlled via a central dial.
As befits its flagship status, DBS Superleggera features a high level of craftsmanship with extensive scope for personalisation via a generous choice of options. Supple, aromatic leather and Alcantara upholstery comes as standard, as do the Sports Plus performance seats and steering wheel.
There is a choice of two alloy wheel designs: the standard ‘Y’ Spoke Forged Wheel and the Lightweight Twin Spoke Forged wheel. Both are 21” in diameter and fitted with Pirelli tyres developed specifically for DBS Superleggera. There is also a choice of striking Designer Specifications, with specially chosen colour and trim combinations selected by the Aston Martin Design Team to accentuate certain aspects of DBS Superleggera’s character.
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Specification
BODY
Two-door body style with 2+2 seating
Extruded bonded aluminium body structure with composite panels
LED high and low beam headlamps with integrated direction indicator, daytime running lights, position lamp, lock/unlock graphic theatre
Signature LED tail lamp with stop tail and dynamic indicator functions
Clamshell bonnet
Side louvre
Aeroblade ll
ENGINE
All-alloy quad overhead cam, 48-valve 5.2-litre bi-turbo, V12 with stop/start cylinder deactivation
Water-to-air Charge Cooling
Front mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
Fully catalysed stainless-steel exhaust system with cross pipes
Compression ratio 9.3:1
Dual Variable Camshaft Timing
Knock-sensing
Fully CNC machined combustion chambers
Electrically controlled exhaust
Maximum power: 715bhp/725PS @ 6500rpm
Maximum torque: 900Nm/663lb ft @ 1800-5000rpm
Acceleration: 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in 3.4 seconds
Maximum speed: 211mph
FUEL ECONOMY
Combined MPG: 22.9*
Combined l/100km: 12.28*
CO2: 285g/km*
*Estimated figures
TRANSMISSION
Rear mid-mounted ZF eight-speed automatic transmission
Alloy torque tube with Carbon Fibre propeller shaft
Final drive ratio: 2.93:1
STEERING
Electric power assisted steering rack with 13.09:1 steering ratio
Speed-dependent rack and pinion power-assisted steering, 2.4 turns lock-to-lock
SUSPENSION
Front independent double wishbone design coil springs, anti-roll bar and adaptive damping
Rear multi-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar and adaptive damping
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) with Skyhook technology modes GT, Sport and Sport Plus
WHEELS AND TYRES
21” Forged Y spoke wheel – silver
Front 21” Pirelli P Zero 265/35/21
Rear 21” Pirelli P Zero 305/30/21
BRAKES
Front ventilated carbon ceramic brake discs 410mm diameter
Rear ventilated carbon ceramic brake discs 360mm diameter
Electric park brake
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Traction Control (TC)
Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
Positive Torque Control (PTC)
Dynamic Torque Vectoring (DTV)
DIMENSIONS
Length: 4712mm
Width: 2146mm (including door mirrors)
Rear width: 1968mm (excluding door mirrors)
Front width: 1942mm (excluding door mirrors)
Height: 1280mm
Wheelbase: 2805mm
Front overhang: 915mm
Rear overhang: 995mm
Ground clearance: 120mm (excluding air dam)
Ground clearance: 90mm (including air dam)
Front track: 1665mm
Rear track: 1645mm
Angle of approach: 9.5 degrees
Angle of departure: 13 degrees
Turning circle: 12.4m
MASS
Dry weight from: 1693kg
Weight distribution: 51:49
STANDARD SPECIFICATION
Primary exterior paint colour
2×2 Carbon Fibre gloss exterior body pack
Quad exhaust with Matte Black finisher
Red tail lamps
Black front grille
Matte Black window surround finisher
Black under bonnet cross brace
Gloss Black side louvre
Black bonnet mesh
Exterior body coloured mirror caps
Exterior body coloured roof
Exterior body coloured roof strake
21” Forged “Y” spoke wheels – silver
Dark Anodised brake calipers
Enamel wing badges
Sports Plus seats
Caithness leather and Alcantara environment
Obsidian Black leather sports steering wheel
Headrest detailing – DBS embroidered logo
Carpet cabin
Dark Chrome interior jewellery
Piano Black trim inlay
Automatic temperature control
Keyless entry
Front and rear parking sensors
Tyre pressure monitoring system
Alarm and immobiliser
Memory and heated seats
Heated rear screen
Side mirror tilt down on reverse
Parking distance display and parking assist
Floor mats
IN-CAR ENTERTAINMENT
Aston Martin premium audio system
Touch pad
8.0” LCD screen
iPod and iPhone integration and USB playback
DAB and AM/FM radio
Bluetooth audio and streaming
Integrated Satellite Navigation System
360-degree camera
OPTIONAL FEATURES
EXTERIOR
Contemporary or Special Aston Martin exterior paint
Exterior body pack finishes – 2×2 Twill Gloss Carbon Fibre Tinted Black2
Roof panel finishes – Gloss Black painted, 2×2 Twill Gloss Carbon Fibre, 2×2 Twill Gloss Carbon Fibre Tinted Black2
Roof strake finishes – Gloss Black painted, 2×2 Twill Gloss Carbon Fibre, 2×2 Gloss Carbon Fibre Tinted Black2
Full titanium exhaust
Side louvres – 2×2 Twill Gloss Carbon Fibre, 2×2 Gloss Carbon Fibre Tinted Black2
Bonnet louvres – 2×2 Twill Gloss Carbon Fibre, 2×2 Gloss Carbon Fibre Tinted Black2
Mirror caps – Gloss Black painted, 2×2 Twill Gloss Carbon Fibre, 2×2 Gloss Carbon Fibre Tinted Black2
21” Forged Y-spoke wheel – Gloss Black Diamond Turned
21” Forged Y-spoke wheel – Satin Black and Gloss Black
21” Forged Y-spoke wheel – Satin Black and Satin Bronze
21” Forged twin spoke wheel – Gloss Black
21” Forged twin spoke wheel – Satin Black
Alternative brake caliper colours – Black, Red, Grey, Yellow
INTERIOR
Full leather interior
Caithness or Balmoral leather
Contrast welt
Colour keyed boot carpet
Carbon Fibre steering wheel
Embroidered headrest – Aston Martin wings
Embossed headrest – DBS logo or Aston Martin wings
Placed or Geode perforation3
Triaxel or Geode quilting3
Option trim inlays – Dyed Open Pore Tamo Ash, 2×2 Twill Carbon Fibre Satin, Satin Chopped Carbon Fibre
Optional seat back veneers – Piano Black, Dyed Open Pore Tamo Ash, 2×2 Carbon Fibre Satin, Satin Chopped Carbon Fibre
Option interior jewellery – Satin Silver, Dark Chrome with 2×2 Twill Satin Carbon Fibre interior pack
Optional seat belt colours – Flint, Champagne, Spicy Red, Mocha, Graphite
Deep pile floor mats
FUNCTIONAL
Aston Martin tracking1
Garage door opener
Bang & Olufsen BeoSound audio system
Ventilated seats4
Only available in certain markets
Carbon fibre type cannot be mixed and therefore is linked to first selected piece
Quilting and perforation are not available on Alcantara
Ventilated seats require seat perforation
About the Author
Subhash Nair Written work on dsf.my. @subhashtag on instagram. Autophiles Malaysia on Youtube.
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