DBS Superleggera Returns Aston Martin to the Peak of Super GT Sector

The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera has gone official as the British company’s new flagship car, replacing the Vanquish S. Powered by a revamped 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12, the DBS is dubbed as the fastest and most powerful Aston Martin to date.

This new model marks the return of the DBS and Superleggera iconic names to the Aston Martin line-up since their last appearances in 2012 and 1967 respectively. The tweaked V12 engine can pump out 725HP at 6500rpm and 900Nm of torque from 1800 to 5000rpm, giving the DBS a quick 3.4-second acceleration to reach 62 mph, with the top speed clocks at 340km/h.

The engine’s power is transfered to the rear wheels via a new rear-mounted ZF automatic transmission with eight speeds. The weight distribution and center-of-gravity have also been optimized as the engine is placed low and far back in the frame. A mechanical limited-slip differential and torque vectoring are also there to ensure driving stability and quality handling.

In terms of appearance, the DBS Superleggera has more muscle compared to the DB11 on which it is based. It’s all thanks to the new stylish carbon fibre panels that clads the extruded bonded aluminium body structure.

Old aerodynamics on the DB11 such as the ‘curlicue’ and ‘Aeroblade’ are retained, with the addition of an F1-style double diffuser that generates 180kg of downforce at full speed without drag penalty.

Forged double wishbones are used to suspend the DBS at the front, while a multi-link system is employed at the back. Adaptive dampers comes standard with the car, offering three selectablbe drive modes: GT, Sport, and Sport Plus.

Made to rival the Ferrari 812 Superfast and the likes, the DBS Superleggera is expected to hit the UK this autumn with a starting price of £225,000. The new flagship beast is essentially a signal that Aston Martin has returned to the “pinnacle of the Super GT sector”.