Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

The Aston Martin DBS, formerly called the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera before the 2022 model year, is a high-performance grand tourer produced by British luxury car manufacturer Aston Martin since 2018. In June 2018, Atin 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 DBS name plate used by both the original DBS and the DB9-based DBS V12. In addition, the car also uses the Superleggera name which is a tribute to Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, who helped Aston Martin develop their lightest grand tourers in the 1960s and 1970s.

Design

The front of the DBS features a new front bumper with a large centre grille compared to the DB11 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 German built 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 Volante

A Volante (convertible) model of the DBS 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 Superleggera to celebrate 50 years of the James Bond film '' On 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.

DBS GT Zagato

In October 2019, Aston Martin revealed the Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato at the Audrain’s Newport Concours in the United States. The car is based on the DBS Superleggera and peak power has been raised from 715 hp to 760 hp. It can only be purchased as part of the £6 million before tax "DBZ Centenary Collection" pack which includes a DB4 GT Zagato continuation as well as a DBS GT Zagato. Only 19 "packs" were available for sale.

DBS Superleggera 007 Edition

The DBS Superleggera 007 Edition was revealed in August 2020. The 007 Edition features Ceramic Grey exterior paint with contrasting black carbon fiber roof, mirror caps, splitter, diffuser, and rear spoiler. It also has gloss black, diamond-turned 21-inch wheels. Production is limited to 25 units.

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 "endlessly 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 made an appearance in the James Bond film ''No Time to Die''.

Gallery

File:2018 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera V12 Automatic 5.2 Rear.jpg, DBS Superleggera (rear view)
File:Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante IMG 4413.jpg, DBS Superleggera Volante with top down
File:Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, Paris Motor Show 2018, IMG 0294.jpg, Interior (DBS Superleggera)
File:Aston Martin DBS Superleggera OHMSS Top Marques 2019 IMG 1061.jpg, DBS Superleggera OHMSS
File:Aston Martin DBS Superleggera OHMSS Top Marques 2019 IMG 1063.jpg, DBS Superleggera OHMSS (rear view)
File:Aston Martin DBS Superleggera OHMSS Top Marques 2019 IMG 1074.jpg, Diamond-turned forged wheel
File:2019 Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato (Maquette).jpg, DBS GT Zagato model
File:2019 Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato (Maquette) - 50683236347.jpg, DBS GT Zagato model (rear view)
File:2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante 5.2.jpg, DBS Superleggera Volante

References

Coupés
Rear-wheel-drive vehicles
2010s cars
Convertibles
Grand tourers
Aston Martin vehicles
Cars introduced in 2018

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