2020 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Review

In mid-2018, to coincide with its global launch, Cars Guide was invited to a private preview of the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera. 

Tucked away in a maze of black velvet drapes in an unassuming area of ​​Sydney is the iconic British brand's new flagship, a stunning 2+2 GT with performance, dynamics and luxurious quality to match its exotic looks and $500+ price tag. label.

That day, for some reason, I never thought that I would have the opportunity to drive it. But two years later, almost today, I had the key to this beauty of Sabiro Blue.

The DBS Superleggera is one of the top coupes, mixing it with Bentleys, Ferraris and the best Porsches. But you may already have one (or more) of them. Which begs the question: is that formidable V12 engine enough to qualify for extra space in your garage? 

Aston Martin DBS 2020: Superleggera
Safety Rating	-
engine's type	5.2 L turbo
fuel type	Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	12.4l / 100km
Landing	4 Places
Price from	No recent ads

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 9/10

The DBS Superleggera is like a well-tailored suit. Impressive without being flashy, impeccable finishes, first-class materials and remarkable attention to detail. And, like everything that has been carefully crafted and mostly handmade, the price is significant.

Excluding travel expenses like registration, dealer shipping and mandatory insurance, this Aston will set you back $536,900.

There are some serious competitors at the estimated $500k level, the closest being Bentley's W6.0-powered 12-liter Continental GT Speed ​​($452,670), the V6.3-powered 12-liter Ferrari GTC4 Lusso ( $578,000) and a 3.8 liter twin Porsche. 911 Turbo S turbocharged flat-six ($473,900K). All 2+2, all insanely fast and teeming with luxurious features.

There is no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for the Superleggera yet.

So, aside from the security and dynamic technologies detailed below in this review, what does this special DBS offer in terms of standard equipment?

First up is the Aston Martin, a nine-speaker premium audio system (including a 400W amplifier and digital radio, but no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay), an 8.0-inch LCD-controlled infotainment system, and a console-based touchscreen. dial control panel/system (source from Mercedes-AMG), satellite navigation, Wi-Fi hub and Surround Camera with Parking Distance Display and Park Assist.

The standard upholstery on the seats, dash and doors is Caithness leather (Aston says the dry drumming process gives it a particularly soft feel) paired with Alcantara (synthetic suede) and Obsidian Black leather on the edges (ish) sports steering wheel emblazoned with the DBS logo, embroidered on the headrests. 

The "Exterior Body Pack" consists of glossy carbon fiber on the rear bumper.

Sport Plus Performance (memory) seats are 10-way electrically adjustable (including lumbar) and heated, the steering wheel is electrically adjustable, the "interior decorations" (trims) are "Dark Chrome", and the interior trims are "Dark Chrome" . Piano Black.

Also included are a customizable digital instrument display, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control (non-adaptive), automatic LED headlights and DRLs, and LED taillights. light and dynamic indicators.

The "Exterior Body Pack" consists of glossy carbon fiber on the rear bumper and spoiler on the trunk lid. rear diffuser and front splitter, and the standard rims are 21-inch forged Y-spoke alloys with (large) dark anodized brake calipers behind them.

All in all, a subtle and exclusive approach to the equipment package, which concerns both the overall quality of design, technology and performance of the car, as well as individual features. 

The standard upholstery of the seats, instrument panel and doors is Caithness leather.

But in terms of performance, "our" car was equipped with a number of special options, namely: Bang & Olufsen audio system - $15,270, "special leather color option", "copper brown" (metallic) - $9720, contrast stitching - $4240 dollars. , ventilated front seats $2780, power seat sills $1390, triaxial stitching $1390, headrest embroidery (Aston Martin fenders) $830.

It costs $35,620 and there have been other ticked boxes like a colored steering wheel, blacked out taillights, plain leather headlining, "Shadow Chrome" rims, even an umbrella in the trunk... but you get the idea. 

And if you really want to personalize your car, Q by Aston Martin offers a range of "unique enhancements that go beyond the basic range of options." Q Commission then opens a bespoke, atelier-style collaboration with the Aston Martin design team. Perhaps a completely custom car, or just machine guns behind the headlights.

Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10

The term Superleggera (Italian for "superlight") is commonly associated with the Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring, which has historically applied its fine eye and handcrafted aluminum bodywork technique to a variety of local brands including Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lancia and Maserati.

As well as some American, German and British connections, the latter covering classic Aston Martin and Lagonda models from the 1950s and 60s (your Silver Birch DB5 is ready for you, Agent 007).

But instead of hand-stamped aluminium, the body panel material here is carbon fiber, and the exterior of this DBS is the product of Aston Martin chief designer Marek Reichman (his name may sound German, but he is of British origin). -and via) and his team at the Gaydon brand headquarters.

Based on the DB11 platform, the DBS is just over 4.7m long, just under 2.0m wide and less than 1.3m high. But it's only when you're near the Superleggera that its intimidating musculature comes into focus. 

No gaudy wings or giant spoilers, just a thin, efficient and carefully engineered airfoil.

A giant black honeycomb grille defines the front of the car, and a one-piece clamshell hood that flips forward has a raised center section formed by longitudinal slats on both sides, with deep vents above the front axle line to facilitate hot air evacuation. from the bottom of the engine compartment.

The wide shoulders around the front wheel arches are balanced by powerful rear lugs, giving the car beautiful proportions and an imposing posture. But behind this purposeful form lies a scientific function. 

Aston's vehicle dynamics team has put a lot of effort into wind tunnel testing, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, aerothermal and performance simulations, and real track testing to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of this vehicle. 

The DBS Superleggera's overall drag coefficient (Cd) is 0.38, which is commendably slippery for a beefy 2+2 GT. But the fact that in parallel with this number it is able to generate a huge 180 kg of downforce (at 340 km / h VMax) is noteworthy.

The aerodynamic trick includes a front splitter and choke working in unison to speed up the flow of air under the front of the car, transferring downforce and cooling air to the front brakes. 

From there, an "open stirrup and curl" device at the top of the front wheel arches releases air to reduce lift and create vortices that reattach the trail of air from the front wheels to the side of the car.

Slipping behind the wheel is a complete hands-on experience with leather gloves.

"C-Duct" starts at an opening behind the rear side window, directing air through the bottom of the trunk lid to a subtle "Aeroblade II" spoiler at the rear of the car. The nearly flat underside also feeds air to an F1-style dual diffuser below the rear.

No gaudy wings or giant spoilers, just a thin, efficient and carefully engineered airfoil.

The slim but characteristic Aston Martin LED taillights, combined with a series of horizontal character lines at the rear, visually increase the car's width, while the giant 21-inch dark rims match the car's proportions perfectly.

Slipping behind the wheel is a complete hands-on experience with leather gloves. The wide instrument panel is divided by a vaguely teardrop-shaped center console with the classic "PRND" shift buttons and an illuminated push-button starter in the center.

The compact instrument binnacle with customizable digital display gives a sense of purpose, while the Mercedes-AMG infotainment system with rotary control dial feels familiar. Overall, simple, subtle, but very impressive.

How practical is the interior space? 7/10

The notion of practicality is naturally at odds with the 2+2 GT, but the 2805mm wheelbase means there's plenty of room between the axles to provide enough space for at least front-seat passengers.

And the usual compromises associated with long coupe doors are lessened by the fact that the DBS swings slightly up when opened and down when closed. A really useful touch.

The driver and passenger in the front seat are snug but not cramped, which feels right in this context, and come with a lidded center box that doubles as an armrest between the seats.

The driver and front passenger are comfortable, but not cramped.

Flick the switch and its power top gradually slides back to reveal two cup holders and a shared storage space with a 12V outlet, two USB-A ports and an SD card slot on the back.

There's a small coin tray in front of the media dial on the center console and in the long door pockets, but bottles will be a problem unless you want to lay them on their side.

The "+2" seats protruding from the rear bulkhead look very cool (especially with our car's three-axle quilted trim), but for those close to the average adult height, they will feel decidedly inadequate.

The back, however, is cramped for adults.

Legs or head don't fit, so this place is best left for kids. And at the back, there are two 12V outlets to help charge their devices and put them at ease.

Boot space is a useful 368 liters and the opening curves forward at the top to help load larger suitcases, but remember the rear seats don't fold down.

Hidden in the back wall are small cabinets, one of which contains a flat tire repair kit, so don't bother looking for spare parts of any description.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 9/10

The DBS Superleggera is powered by an all-alloy 5.2-litre V12 twin-turbocharged, dual-variable valve timing, direct-injection engine with 533 kW (715 hp) at 6500 rpm and 900 Nm at 1800-5000 rpm. 

In keeping with the custom build nature of this car, a polished metal plaque sits on top of the engine, proudly reading "Hand Built in England" and noting that the final inspection was done by (in our case) Alison Beck. 

The DBS Superleggera is powered by an all-alloy 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine.

Drive is sent to the rear wheels via an alloy torque tube and carbon fiber driveshaft to an eight-speed automatic transmission (from ZF) incorporating a mechanical limited-slip differential with manual shifting accessible via paddle shifters.

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How much fuel does it consume? 7/10

Claimed fuel economy for the combined (ADR 81/02 - urban, extra-urban) cycle is 12.3 l/100 km, while DBS emits 285 g/km CO2.

After driving just under 150km with the car on city, suburban and freeway (as well as hidden B-road), we recorded an average of 17.0L/100km, which is a significant number but expected for a roughly 1.7 12-ton meteor on wheels .

Stop start is standard, the minimum fuel requirement is 95 octane premium unleaded petrol, and you'll need 78 liters to fill the tank (corresponding to a real range of about 460 km).

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10

The Aston Martin DBS has not been rated by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, but an "expected" suite of active safety technologies is present, including ABS, EBD and BA, as well as traction and stability control.

There's also blind spot monitoring, a tire pressure monitoring system, a 360-degree camera with "Parking Distance Display" and "Parking Assist".

But more advanced collision avoidance technologies like active cruise control, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert and, most importantly, AEB, are missing in action.

If an impact is unavoidable, eight airbags will help protect you - two-stage for the driver and front passenger, front side (pelvis and chest), front knee, and double-row curtains.

Both rear seat positions are equipped with top straps and ISOFIX anchorages to securely accommodate a baby capsule or child seat.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

3 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10

In Australia, Aston Martin offers a three-year unlimited mileage warranty including XNUMX/XNUMX roadside assistance.

Service is recommended every 12 months or 16,000 km, whichever comes first.

Aston Martin offers a three-year unlimited mileage warranty.

Aston also offers extended service contract options that can be renewed after 12 months, including features such as transfer and accommodation in the event of a breakdown, as well as coverage while the vehicle is used at official Aston Martin events.

There's also a pickup and delivery service (or a free car) to sweeten the service deal.

What is it like to drive? 10/10

Once you're down in less than three and a half seconds for a sprint from 0 to 100 km/h, strange things happen to your field of vision. Faced with such acceleration, it instantly narrows, your brain instinctively focuses attention on the road ahead, because it senses that something almost unnatural is happening.

Claiming that the DBS Superleggera hits triple digits in just 3.4 seconds (and hits 0 km/h in 160 seconds!), we felt compelled to confirm the number, and of course, peripheral vision turned to nothing when this brutal machine showed its amazing and awesome features. .

The sound accompaniment is quite intense thanks to the electronically controlled exhaust pipe (stainless steel), active valves and four tailpipes, organizing a brilliantly guttural and raucous "sound character". 

Pure pulling power is enormous: all 900 Nm of maximum torque are available from 1800 to 5000 rpm. The mid-range thrusts are huge, and Aston claims the DBS Superleggera sprints from 80 to 160 km/h (in fourth gear) in 4.2 seconds. This is a figure that I have not tested, but I am not going to doubt it.

It has essentially the same aluminum chassis, but thanks to its carbon-rich bodywork, the DBS Superleggera is 72kg lighter than the DB11, with a dry weight of 1693kg (without liquids). The engine is also mounted low and far back in the chassis, to the point where it is effectively front-middle, giving a 51/49 front/rear weight distribution.

The Mode Control allows you to switch between GT, Sport and Sport Plus settings.

Suspension is double (forged alloy) wishbone up front, multi-link rear suspension with standard adaptive damping, and there are three settings available via a switch on the left side of the steering wheel.

On the opposite side of the handlebar, a similar mode control lets you switch between "GT", "Sport" and "Sport Plus" settings, tweaking various features including throttle map, exhaust valves, steering, traction control and shift response. . Steering is speed dependent with electric power steering.

The brakes are professional-grade carbon ceramic with 410mm ventilated rotors up front clamped by six-piston calipers and 360mm discs at the rear with four-piston calipers.

Managing this car's phenomenal traction when it turns into side g-force is an amazing experience. Of course, it hooks on like a Trump handshake, with a special "A7" version of Pirelli's ultra-high-performance P Zero tire on a 21-inch forged alloy rim at every corner.

The 265/35s in the front are big, while the monstrous 305/30s in the back provide strong mechanical grip. But what is unexpected is the steering and the overall agility of the car.

It doesn't look like a beefy 2+2 GT. And while it's not in the 911 league when it comes to responsiveness and dynamic feedback, it's still a long way off the mark.

265/35 big in the front.

I found the Sport mode and medium suspension setting to be the best off-road setting, and with the seven-speed automatic in manual mode, the light DBS just lights up.

Upshifts via manual alloy paddle shifters are quick and precise, and the car remains stable and balanced yet entertainingly sporty through corners with enthusiasm.

When applied hard initially, carbon-ceramic brakes don't bite like steel discs, but the system's ability to quickly decelerate while the car remains steady is exceptional.

At the same time, downshifts are accompanied by a lot of aggressive pops and pops (a feature of Sport and Sport Plus modes), and DBS accurately but gradually indicates the turn.

Road feel is excellent, the sporty front seat is grippy and comfortable, and the car's Dynamic Torque Vectoring (via braking) helps control understeer.

In a quieter mode, thanks in large part to active dampers, the Superleggera is surprisingly comfortable around the city, despite the large rims and low-profile tires.

Under the heading "random thoughts" the simple interior layout (including accurate digital instrument cluster) is great, auto-stop-start jerks a little on restart, including front choke, ground clearance under nose is only 90mm so be very careful in driveways and out of them or get ready for the sound of carbon scratching (it was avoided this time).

Verdict

The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is an instant classic that is likely to hit the high-end auction block in the coming years with a final price far in excess of 2020 demand. But do not buy it as a collectible, although it is a wonderful object. Buy to enjoy. Amazingly fast, meticulously designed and beautifully crafted, this is a phenomenal car.