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The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is one of the most important grand tourers Aston Martin has ever produced.
Powerful, elegant and devastatingly fast, the DBS Superleggera marked the return of one of the most revered names in Aston Martin history while simultaneously redefining what a modern Aston Martin flagship could be.
When it launched in 2018, the DBS Superleggera immediately positioned itself at the very top of the Aston Martin range. More aggressive than the DB11 AMR, more luxurious than the Vantage and significantly more powerful than anything Aston Martin had produced in series production at the time, the DBS combined immense performance with genuine long-distance GT capability. Aston Martin describe it as a Super GT.
It was not simply a faster DB11. It was a complete re-engineering of Aston Martin’s second-generation architecture, designed to deliver supercar levels of performance while retaining the sophistication, beauty and theatre expected of a flagship Aston Martin.
At launch, the DBS Superleggera became:
The result was a car capable of extraordinary duality:
For many enthusiasts, the DBS Superleggera represents the perfect modern Aston Martin.
The Meaning Behind the “Superleggera” Name
The return of the “Superleggera” badge was hugely significant.
Originally associated with the legendary Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, the name translates as:
“Super Light”
The Superleggera name carries enormous heritage within Aston Martin history, having previously appeared on:
Reviving the badge for the modern DBS was Aston Martin’s way of acknowledging both its heritage and the extensive lightweight engineering programme that underpinned the new flagship.
Although the DBS Superleggera was not literally lightweight in the manner of a stripped-out race car, the philosophy remained the same:
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Engine: The Twin-Turbocharged V12
At the heart of the DBS Superleggera sits one of Aston Martin’s greatest modern engines: a 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12. Derived from the DB11 AMR powerplant but substantially upgraded, the DBS engine was engineered to deliver vastly increased performance and torque while maintaining the refinement expected of a luxury GT car.
DBS Superleggera Engine Specifications:
| Specification | Aston Martin DBS Superleggera |
| Engine | 5.2L Twin-Turbocharged V12 |
| Power | 715bhp |
| Torque | 900Nm |
| Transmission | ZF 8-Speed Automatic |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 0-62mph | 3.4-3.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 211 mph |
At launch, the figures were staggering.
The DBS produced:
making it the fastest and most powerful production Aston Martin ever created at the time.
But the raw numbers only tell part of the story.
The character of the engine is what truly defines the DBS.
Unlike many highly-strung supercars, the DBS delivers enormous performance with seemingly effortless ease. The vast torque output arrives low in the rev range, creating immense overtaking capability and devastating real-world pace.
Yet despite the turbocharging, Aston Martin worked extensively to retain:
The result is a car that feels both brutally fast and beautifully refined.
900Nm: The Torque Monster
The headline figure most people remember is:
900Nm
That immense torque output fundamentally shaped the DBS driving experience.
Compared with the DB11 AMR’s 700Nm, the DBS delivered an enormous increase in mid-range performance.
This gave the car:
Even at motorway speeds, the DBS feels almost limitless in reserve power.
Few GT cars in history have combined such immense torque with this level of refinement.
ZF Eight-Speed Transmission
The DBS Superleggera utilised the superb:
This transmission became widely regarded as one of the finest modern automatic gearboxes thanks to:
Aston Martin recalibrated the gearbox specifically for the DBS to deliver:
Unlike dual-clutch systems that can sometimes feel abrupt or artificial, the ZF unit suited the DBS perfectly by balancing:
Rear-Wheel Drive and Grand Touring Balance
Crucially, the DBS remained:
Rear-wheel drive
At a time when many manufacturers moved toward all-wheel-drive systems to manage high power outputs, Aston Martin deliberately retained a traditional rear-driven layout.
This decision preserved:
The DBS utilised:
The result was a car that felt:
rather than overly electronic or synthetic.
Aerodynamics: Beauty with Real Function
One of the greatest achievements of the DBS Superleggera is that it manages to integrate significant aerodynamic functionality without compromising elegance.
Aston Martin engineers developed a sophisticated aero programme that generated:
180kg of downforce at top speed
while avoiding the oversized wings and visual aggression common among rival supercars.
Key Aerodynamic Features Included:
The most fascinating element was Aston Martin’s:
Aeroblade II system
This innovative system channels airflow through the bodywork itself, exiting through the rear deck to create downforce without requiring a large, fixed rear wing.
The system delivered:
The DBS therefore maintained the elegant proportions expected of an Aston Martin while still achieving meaningful aerodynamic performance.
Carbon Fibre Construction and Lightweight Engineering
Although the DBS Superleggera was a luxurious GT car, Aston Martin engineers worked extensively to reduce weight and improve structural rigidity.
Lightweight Features Included:
The second-generation bonded aluminium platform provided:
The DBS achieved a kerb weight of approximately:
Considering:
Chassis and Suspension Development
The DBS Superleggera was engineered to feel fundamentally different from the DB11 AMR despite sharing the same basic architecture.
Aston Martin significantly revised:
Suspension Specification:
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Mult-link Torque Tube |
| Dampers | Adaptive Coil Over |
| Damper Modes | 3 Stage |
| Steering | EPAS |
The adaptive damping system allowed the DBS to transition between:
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Interior
Inside, the DBS Superleggera combined:
The cabin featured:
Unlike many extreme supercars, the DBS remained genuinely usable for long-distance touring.
The seating position, ride quality and cabin insulation allowed the car to function as:
while still delivering immense performance when required.
Exterior Design: Aggressive Yet Elegant
Visually, the DBS Superleggera is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful modern Aston Martins.
The proportions are exceptional:
Compared with the DB11, the DBS featured:
Yet despite the increased aggression, the car retained remarkable elegance.
That balance between:
is one of the reasons the DBS has aged so well.
Performance: Aston Martin’s 211mph Flagship
The performance figures remain deeply impressive even today.
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Performance:
| Metric | Figure |
| Power | 715mph |
| Torque | 900Nm |
| 0-62mph | 3.4-3.6 sec |
| Top Speed | 211 mph |
The most remarkable aspect is how effortless the performance feels.
The DBS does not require:
to access enormous pace.
Instead, it delivers performance with:
This is what separates the DBS from many rivals.
It feels truly engineered for high-speed grand touring.
The DBS Superleggera Volante
Aston Martin later introduced the:
DBS Superleggera Volante
Unlike many convertible supercars that suffer from reduced rigidity or compromised design, the Volante remained astonishingly capable.
The folding fabric roof preserved:
while still delivering:
Many enthusiasts consider the Volante one of the finest open-top Aston Martins ever produced.
Special Editions and Limited Variants
DBS 770 Ultimate
The final evolution of the DBS lineage was the DBS 770 Ultimate.
This is a car that we will publish a separate blog on.
Driving Experience: The Character of the DBS
What makes the DBS Superleggera special is not simply the numbers.
It is the character.
The car combines:
in a way very few modern cars achieve.
The DBS feels:
every time it is driven.
Press Reception and Industry Reviews
The automotive press praised the DBS extensively on launch.
Top Gear
Top Gear described the DBS as:
“Aston Martin at its best.”
The publication particularly praised:
Evo Magazine
Evo celebrated the DBS’s:
Autocar
Autocar praised:
PistonHeads
PistonHeads noted that the DBS succeeded because it felt:
rather than trying to imitate rivals from Ferrari or Lamborghini.
Why the DBS Superleggera Matters
The DBS Superleggera may ultimately be remembered as one of the last great traditional Aston Martins.
It represents:
It combines modern performance with traditional Aston Martin character in a way few cars have achieved.
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Technical Specifications
Category | Specification |
Engine | 5.2L Twin-Turbocharged V12 |
Power | 715bhp |
Torque | 900Nm |
Transmission | ZF 8HP95 8-Speed |
Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
Differential | Mechanical LSD |
Top Speed | 211mph |
0-62mph | 3.4-3.6 sec |
Weight | 1846kg |
Front Tyres | 265/35/21 |
Rear Tyres | 305/30/21 |
Boot Volume | 280 litres |
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera use?
The DBS Superleggera uses a 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 producing 715bhp and 900Nm of torque. It is an Aston Martin, hand-built engine.
How fast is the DBS Superleggera?
The DBS Superleggera has a top speed of 211mph and can accelerate from 0-62mph in approximately 3.4 to 3.6 seconds.
What does Superleggera mean?
“Superleggera” is Italian for “super light” and references Aston Martin’s historic relationship with Touring Superleggera which began with the DB4.
Is the DBS Superleggera rear-wheel drive?
Yes. The DBS Superleggera uses a rear-wheel-drive layout with a mechanical limited-slip differential.
Is the DBS Superleggera collectible?
Yes. The DBS Superleggera is increasingly regarded as one of the most desirable modern Aston Martins due to:
What replaced the DBS Superleggera?
The DBS 770 Ultimate became the final evolution of the DBS platform before Aston Martin transitioned to the Vanquish. Since the Vanquish 1 was launched, Aston Martin have alternated between Vanquish and DBS as the pinnacle of the GT range.