Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
Aston revives both the DBS and Superleg gera names for its new 715bhp 2+2 ‘ super GT’
READY FOR ANOTHER NEW ASTON MARTIN? Of course you are, so here’s the new DBS Superleg gera, the replacement for the Vanquish S that sits between the Vanta ge and the DB11. ( Although there’s also a new Vanquish on its way, too…)
In Aston speak the DBS Superleg gera is a super GT and mixes the grand- touring attributes of the DB11 with the supercar per formance of the Vanta ge. With 7 15bhp, a 211mph top speed and an aluminium and carbonfibre construction it sounds more like a supercar to us.
As with the car it replaces, and the DBS of 2008- 2012, the new DBS faces some strong rivals in Bentley’s new Continental GT, Ferrari’s ferocious 812 Super fa st and Mercedes- AMG’S imperious S63 ( or S65 if you must have 12 cylinders). The sales numbers may be small, but customers will demand the ultimate from their grand- touring supercar.
ENGINE & GEARBOX
There are no hardware changes to the DB11’ s 5.2- litre twin- turbo V 12, but a thorough remapping of the ECU, and a new induction system and exhaust, have allowed Aston to ex tract an additional 115bhp and 148lb f t from it. ‘ We always knew the per formance wa s in the engine when we designed it for the DB11. For DBS we’ve called on some of its reser ves,’ explained Aston’s Mar tin’s chief engineer Matt Becker.
That per formance is quite phenomenal: 7 15bhp produced at 6500rpm, 664lb f t from 1800rpm through to 5000rpm, a 0- 62mph time of 3.4sec and a 6.4sec 0- 100mph time.
There’s a new eight- speed ZF auto, with the shor ter final drive taken from the Vanta ge, while a mechanical limited- slip dif f and torque vectoring are also standard.
DESIGN & AERODYNAMICS
The DBS’S body shares only its gla sshouse and doors with the DB11. It’s sleeker, lower and wider, and the design incorporates the aerodynamic and cooling requirements of the engineering depar tment, with Marek Reichman creating the most successful design yet in terms of conveying the company’s current styling direction – to our eyes at lea st.
Aeroblade II, which channels air into the car’s body via ducts in the C- pillars and out ahead of the rear spoiler, enhances the aerodynamic balance first seen on the DB11 and contributes towards 180k g of downforce at the car’s 211mph V- ma x. The front grille and splitter provide cooling air to the engine and brakes, a s well a s channelling air to the double dif fuser fixed to the rear of the car.
CHASSIS & BRAKES
When developing the DBS, Aston wanted to blend the DB11’ s GT comfor t with the responsiveness and supercar focus of the Vanta ge. Therefore the rear subframe is stif fer, the ride is 5mm lower, the suspension geometr y is bespoke, and the front and rear cambers have been increa sed and new bush geometr y introduced to improve traction.
Adaptive dampers of fer three modes – GT, Spor t and Spor t Plus – while the engine mounts are stif fer and the electric steering ha s been recalibrated to generate improved feedback. The 410mm ( front) and 360mm ( rear) carbon- ceramic brakes are taken from the Vanta ge but feature DBS- specific sixand four- piston calipers. The compound of the 21- inch Pirelli P Zero tyres ( 265/ 35 front, 305/ 30 rear) is also bespoke.
INTERIOR
Just as its exterior continues to evolve Aston Martin’ s design language, so too the interior of the DBS Superleg gera provides a different offering to the Vantage and DB 11, even if it is a subtle one.
There are new sports seats( called Sports Plus seats) and a new steering wheel, as well as a new instrument cluster.
Leather and Alcantara are the default materials, with piano black trim standard, although, of course, the interior can be personalised to your exact requirements, right down to the colour of the seatbelts and whether you have Tria xial or Geode quilting on your seats.
You can also specify that some of the leather surfaces are replaced with carbonfibre, too.
SPECIFICATION
Engine V 12, 5204cc, twin- turbo Power 7 15bhp @ 6500rpm Torque 664 lb ft@1800-5000r pm Weight 1693k g ( dr y) Power- to- weight 429bhp/ ton ( dr y) 0- 62mph 3.4sec Top speed 211mph Basic price £ 225,000 On sale Autumn 2018
The rear subframe is stiffer, the ride 5mm lower, the suspension geometry bespoke and the cambers increased