Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

We are given the opportunity to drive the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera. IMO the best looking GT currently available. Astons have often looked good but in the end have, when driven, flattered to deceive. NOT this time though, the car drives brilliantly and Autocar in their road test awarded the Supperleggera five stars. A rating only seen amongst the best of the best.

Performance is provided courtesy of the 5.2 Litre Cologne V12 first seen in the DB11, but now with the power increased to 715bhp but it is the torque that defines this car, all 664lb ft of it, providing acceleration in 4th, 5th, and 6th from 30 to 90 faster than either of it's main rivals, the Bentley Continental GT and Ferrari's 812 Superfast. Ultimately it is the Ferrari that is faster to 100mph by over a second and Bentley have yet to produce a Sports version of their current V12. The Superleggera gets to 60mph in 3.4 and on to a 100 in just over 7 seconds. Top speed is 211mph and it weighs in at 1845kgs unladen, not exactly a lightweight contrary to the name, so over 1900kgs fully laden.

To handle the massive torque available this Aston has an all new transaxle gearbox from ZF. Though a torque convertor auto box it does shift fast enough though not with the ferocity that can be experienced from a dual clutch unit. It also benefits from a mechanical limited slip differential at the rear. The chassis is pretty much straight from DB11, so an aluminium platform with double-wishbone at the front and multi-link rear suspension design.

Autocar says on the road the car displays a perfect mix of lateral grip, body control, steering response and handling agility and they should know. But the real trick in our opinion is to balance this with high speed stability, excellent ride and the comfort required of a Grand Tourer. AM have imo succeeded where both the Bentley Continental and Ferrari 812 have been perhaps less successful. All adding up to this being the most accomplished GT currently on sale, and I can confirm that the car rides the bumps like no other.

Using the car's Sport and Sport Plus settings you can alter the Superleggera's dynamic characteristics. Tightening up body control can be at the expense of ride comfort, though in the Aston you can keep the drivetrain in sport plus whilst having the suspension settings in their softest position. For most UK usage this is how I would drive the car when on public roads.

All in all a tremendous car. Expensive when looked at in isolation but against the 812 undeniably good value. Depreciation may be a factor especially when compared with both Bentley and Ferrari's offerings but the previous DBS has held it's values reasonable well.

Thanks for watching guys,

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