The 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 fiber 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 211mph and blistering acceleration that dispatches 0-62mph in just 3.4 seconds and 0-100mph in 6.4 seconds, DBS Superleggera is a car dedicated to delivering an unforgettable driving experience and class-leading in-gear acceleration, with 50-100mph achieved in fourth gear in a mere 4.2 seconds.
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 as far back in the chassis as possible to optimize the center-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, with the capability of a maximum speed of 211mph.
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.
Aston Martin President & Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Andy Palmer said: “DBS Superleggera not only marks the return of a great Aston Martin name but signals our return to the very pinnacle of the Super GT sector. Handsome beyond measure, its lightweight carbon composite and aluminum body is sculpted into a shape with tremendous presence and charisma. Thanks to the remarkable torque available from its twin-turbo V12, DBS Superleggera also packs a breath-taking punch, yet its dynamics have been carefully honed to engage drivers of all ability levels. Immaculately styled, obsessively engineered and outrageously potent, the new DBS Superleggera is every inch the Aston Martin flagship”.
Priced from £225,000 in the UK, EUR 274,995 in Germany and $304,995 in the USA, deliveries of DBS Superleggera are scheduled to begin in Q3 2018.
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera: Return of an icon
- DBS nameplate first used in 1967 on William Towns-designed fastback GT.
- More potent DBS V8 launched in 1969 to ‘World’s fastest four-seater production car’ acclaim
- Production of both inline-six and V8 DBS models ceases in 1972
- All-new V12-engined DBS unveiled in 2007 and enters production in 2008
- Joined by DBS Volante in 2009. Production of both Coupe and Volante ends in 2012
- All-new DBS Superleggera launched
- Styled by Aston Martin’s in-house designer William Towns, DBS was a dramatic departure from the DB6 it was conceived to complement as a flagship model for the brand. Powered from launch by Aston Martin’s celebrated Tadek Marek-designed inline-six engine (in both regular and more powerful Vantage specifications) the fastback four-seater DBS was produced alongside the aging DB6 for three years until the older car was finally phased out in 1970.
Two years into production, the six-cylinder DBS was joined by the DBS V8, which was powered by Aston Martin’s all-new, all-alloy 5.3-litre V8 engine. Featuring distinctive alloy wheels in place of the original car’s wire wheels and ventilated disc brakes to cope with the increased performance, DBS V8 was hailed as the world’s fastest four-seater production car. In total, just over 1000 DBS examples were built between 1967 and 1972, including both V6 and V8-powered editions.
After a 35-year hiatus, the DBS name was revived in 2007, when the all-new DBS was unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. A development of the DB9, DBS went on-sale the following year, replacing the first generation Vanquish S.
Featuring more aggressive styling and weight-saving carbon fiber bodywork the new DBS was powered by Aston Martin’s 6.0-litre, 510bhp V12 engine. It boasted formidable 190+mph performance, Aston Martin’s new Adaptive Damping Suspension and carbon ceramic brakes. Initially launched with a six-speed manual transmission, later versions of DBS were available with a choice of manual or ‘Touchtronic 2’ automatic transmission. In 2009 Aston Martin introduced DBS Volante - the first open-top DBS ever. Mechanically identical to the Coupe it proved an immediate hit with Aston Martin customers. Production of the second-generation DBS and DBS Volante ceased in 2012.
Adding to the mystique that surrounds the name, both first and second generation DBSs have appeared in James Bond movies: the original being used by George Lazenby in the 1969 film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service; DBS in 2006’s Casino Royale and 2008‘s Quantum of Solace alongside Daniel Craig.
Now, with the introduction of the all-new DBS Superleggera, one of Aston Martin’s most charismatic and highest performing models is making a welcome return.
_websize.jpg)
