Return of the Super GT Flagship
Aston Martin has revived one of its most celebrated historical pairings: the legendary DBS badge and the storied coachbuilder mark of Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera. Stepping directly into the shoes of the naturally aspirated Vanquish S, the new Aston Martin DBS Superleggera takes over as the British marque’s premier production flagship. Where its predecessor championed high-revving atmospheric charm, this new Super GT delivers monumental force through a 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12, wrapped in lightweight carbon composite bodywork engineered to master airflow at speeds beyond 200 mph.
A Worthy Successor to the Vanquish S
Replacing an established icon is never a simple assignment in Gaydon. The outgoing Vanquish S bowed out as the ultimate expression of the old guard, defined by a 5.9-litre naturally aspirated twelve-cylinder unit that sang with classical operatic brass. Yet the modern performance frontier has shifted rapidly toward devastating mid-range shove and ruthless aerodynamic efficiency. The DBS Superleggera meets that reality head-on without sacrificing the essential grand touring theater that defines the marque.
Under the sweeping carbon clamshell bonnet resides Aston Martin’s 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12, an engine that transforms the car’s acceleration profile. With 725 PS (715 bhp) produced at 6,500 rpm and an astonishing 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque flowing uninterrupted from 1,800 to 5,000 rpm, the DBS Superleggera dispatches speed with staggering ease. It storms from rest to 62 mph in just 3.4 seconds, hits 100 mph in 6.4 seconds, and will run freely until reaching a maximum speed of 211 mph. Even more telling than its standing-start sprints is its rolling overtaking capability: between 50 and 100 mph in fourth gear, just 4.2 seconds elapse.
Sculpted Aerodynamics and the Superleggera Heritage
The Superleggera nameplate carries immense historical resonance. Milanese coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring patented its super-lightweight construction technique in the 1930s, wrapping thin aluminium alloy skin over an intricate lattice of small-diameter steel tubing. That landmark method gave birth to legendary Aston Martins of the past, including the DB4, DB5, and DB6. On the modern DBS Superleggera, that philosophy receives a contemporary composite execution. Instead of aluminium hand-beaten over tubular frames, the new flagship adopts bespoke carbon fibre composite body panels draped over Aston Martin’s rigid bonded aluminium architecture.
This extensive use of carbon composite skin keeps dry weight to an impressive 1,693 kg while affording the Gaydon styling department exceptional freedom. The visual presence is imposing and predatory. Up front, a colossal honeycomb grille swallows cooling air with unapologetic aggression, flanked by deep aerodynamic splitters and sculpted hood vents that evacuate heat from the twin-turbocharged twelve-cylinder powerplant. The front wings incorporate the functional “curlicue” vents first introduced on the DB11, bleeding high-pressure turbulent air from the front wheel arches to reduce front-end lift.
At the rear, the engineering team expanded the patented Aeroblade concept into a more potent aerodynamic solution. Airflow channels cleanly through the base of the rear pillars, exiting via an elevated aperture along the trailing edge of the decklid to create a virtual rear spoiler. Working in concert with a Formula 1-inspired double diffuser carved beneath the tail, the bodywork generates 180 kg of downforce at VMAX (211 mph). Notably, this represents the highest downforce figure ever recorded for a series production road car from Aston Martin, achieved entirely without resorting to clumsy fixed wings or ostentatious aerodynamic appendages.
Powertrain Engineering: The 5.2-Litre Twin-Turbo V12
At the heart of the DBS Superleggera lies Aston Martin’s in-house 5.2-litre 60-degree quad-cam twin-turbo V12. Gaydon’s powertrain engineers positioned the twelve-cylinder block as low and as far back in the front chassis bulkhead as physically possible, optimizing the front-mid-engine layout to yield an ideal 51:49 front-to-rear static weight distribution. By tucking the mass behind the front axle line, the coupe preserves nimble rotational inertia despite the physical presence of a long-stroke multi-cylinder flagship powerplant.
To extract 725 PS and an immense 900 Nm from the 5,204 cc engine, boost levels were increased and engine calibration thoroughly reworked relative to the DB11. A revised exhaust architecture features quad tailpipes and active bypass valves. In standard GT mode, the exhaust keeps a cultured, deep burble that allows long motorway journeys to pass in quiet composure. Switch the drive mode selector to Sport or Sport Plus, however, and the electronic valves swing open earlier, transforming the soundtrack into a thunderous acoustic barrage of crackles, pops, and resonant twelve-cylinder howl under load.
Drivetrain and Chassis Dynamics
Channeling 900 Nm through the rear wheels requires an exceptionally robust drivetrain. Aston Martin engineers fitted a rear-mounted ZF 8HP95 eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, linked to the front-mounted engine via a rigid carbon fibre propeller shaft running inside a cast aluminium torque tube. This transaxle arrangement places substantial drivetrain weight over the driving wheels, aiding mechanical traction during hard acceleration.
The transmission features an uprated torque capacity and a shorter 2.93:1 final drive ratio compared to the 2.70:1 gearing of the DB11. This mechanical alteration yields immediate, punchy responsiveness when dipping into the throttle at any road speed. A mechanical limited-slip differential works in close coordination with dynamic torque vectoring by braking, gently trimming excess understeer on entry and managing power delivery when exiting tight bends under heavy load.
Underneath, the chassis utilizes forged aluminium double wishbones up front and an independent multi-link axle assembly at the rear. Latest-generation adaptive damping comes standard, riding 5 mm lower than the standard DB11 with increased static negative camber to widen the front contact patch. Sensors continuously monitor road surfaces and driver inputs, adjusting damper firmness in milliseconds. Drivers can tailor the suspension independently from the powertrain, selecting from GT, Sport, and Sport Plus settings to match relaxed touring cruising or aggressive country road driving.
Braking performance matches the car’s extreme velocities. The DBS Superleggera comes equipped as standard with massive carbon ceramic brake discs measuring 410 mm in diameter up front clamped by six-piston monobloc calipers, and 360 mm discs at the rear with four-piston calipers. These lightweight carbon ceramic rotors dramatically reduce unsprung rotational mass while resisting fade even under relentless, repeated high-speed stops.
Cockpit Luxury and Bespoke Craftsmanship
Inside the cabin, the DBS Superleggera balances grand touring comfort with genuine track-focused support. The 2+2 seating layout provides comfortable accommodations for front passengers, while the sculpted rear buckets serve as convenient supplemental luggage space for extended weekend escapes. Supple Strathmore leather and technical Alcantara upholstery come standard, trimmed by hand at Aston Martin’s Gaydon workshops. Sports Plus performance seats provide deep lateral support during hard cornering without sacrificing long-distance padding, matched by a flat-bottom Sports Plus steering wheel wrapped in tactile materials.
The dashboard layout embraces modern electronic convenience while maintaining tactile driver controls. A full digital instrument cluster displays vital driving metrics, changing its graphic theme according to the chosen drive mode. Centered on the dashboard, an LCD infotainment screen managed by a rotary controller on the centre console handles integrated satellite navigation, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth audio streaming, and smartphone connectivity. The standard convenience suite includes keyless entry with push-button start, automatic tire pressure monitoring, and a comprehensive 360-degree surround-view camera system with Parking Distance Display and automated Park Assist.
Wheels, Personalization and Designer Specifications
To put its 725 PS effectively to the asphalt, the DBS Superleggera rides on bespoke 21-inch forged alloy wheels. Buyers can choose between two distinct rim designs: the standard ‘Y’ Spoke forged alloy wheel and an optional ultra-lightweight Twin Spoke forged wheel that further pares down unsprung weight. Both wheel choices measure 9.5J x 21 inches at the front and 11.5J x 21 inches at the rear, wrapped in custom-developed Pirelli P Zero performance tires (265/35 ZR21 front, 305/30 ZR21 rear) compound-matched specifically to handle the car’s 900 Nm torque output.
Aston Martin provides an exhaustive range of aesthetic customization. In addition to open-ended paint palettes and interior trim choices, the Gaydon design team curated bespoke Designer Specifications. These packages combine harmonized exterior paint shades, tinted carbon fibre accents, interior leather contrasts, and distinctive stitch patterns to showcase different facets of the car’s character, ranging from discreet executive understated elegance to vivid motorsport flair.
Market Position and Deliveries
Positioned squarely at the summit of the production sports car market, the DBS Superleggera enters direct competition with elite front-engine V12 grand tourers, chief among them the Ferrari 812 Superfast. Where Maranello delivers high-revving atmospheric screaming performance, Gaydon answers with an immense wall of low-end twin-turbocharged torque and an exceptionally composed long-distance chassis demeanor.
Speaking at the car’s unveiling, Aston Martin President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Andy Palmer highlighted the strategic significance of the model: “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.”
Order books opened immediately following the June 2018 launch, with retail pricing starting at £225,000 in the United Kingdom, €274,995 in Germany, and $304,995 in the United States. First customer deliveries are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2018, bringing a legendary badge and formidable engineering presence back to highways and circuits around the globe.
Vehicle data
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Make | Aston Martin |
| Model | DBS Superleggera |
| Generation / chassis code | First generation (VH / DB11 platform evolution) |
| Model year(s) covered | 2019 |
| Body style | 2-door, 2+2 grand tourer coupe |
| Powertrain / engine | 5.2-litre (5,204 cc) 60° quad-cam twin-turbocharged V12 |
| Power / torque | 725 PS (715 bhp / 533 kW) @ 6,500 rpm / 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) @ 1,800–5,000 rpm |
| Transmission | Rear mid-mounted ZF 8-speed automatic with torque converter |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) with mechanical limited-slip differential and torque vectoring |
| Key performance figures | 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) in 3.4 s; 0–100 mph in 6.4 s; 50–100 mph (4th gear) in 4.2 s; top speed 211 mph (340 km/h); 180 kg downforce at VMAX |
| Price (as stated) | Priced from £225,000 (UK), €274,995 (Germany), $304,995 (USA) |
| On-sale / announcement period | Unveiled June 2018; customer deliveries commencing Q3 2018 |
| Market | Global (UK, Europe, North America) |