“I asked what the single key attribute of the car was, and the answer was ‘speed’,” said Nick Knight, the man tasked with producing the new launch film for the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera. Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer, elaborates: “Torque is such an important feature of the DBS Superleggera, it’s the delivery of the power that throws you back into your seat as you accelerate, this power is what defines the DBS Superleggera. This car is about bold, athletic muscularity.“
This ‘Speed’ experience, therefore, forms the basis of the audio-visual treat produced by Knight. The DBS Superleggera is brought to life through Knight’s dazzling use of photography and CGI. He uses Fast-changing angles, “impossible” computer generated camera moves and perspective shifts to convey a sense of speed and power in a sparkling and futuristic monochrome landscape that appears to shift and melt around the car. This elevation in presentation reflects the elevation in Aston Martin’s performance and aesthetic standards with the launch of the DBS Superleggera.
“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 aluminium body is sculpted into 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.” – – Dr Andy Palmer, Aston Martin President & CEO
The “great Aston Martin name” is the return of the iconic ‘DB’ badge that first appeared in 1967. The ‘Superleggera’ badge pays homage to Aston Martin’s successful collaboration with the legendary Italian coachbuilder, Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, whose super lightweight construction technology contributed to the success of the DB4, DB5 and DB6 Mark 1. Superleggera, which means ‘lightweight’ in Italian, also eludes to the extensive weight-saving regime that the new DBS has been put through, from its the lightweight construction, to the wheel-alloys, and brake disks.
The DBS Superleggera replaces the highly acclaimed Vanquish S, a formidable benchmark to succeed in terms of performance and beauty.
In terms of performance, its 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 engine kicks out around 715 HP and 900 Nm of torque which translates into an acceleration of 0 to 100 mph in 6.4 seconds and is capable of achieving a top speed of 340 kmph.
The engine is set low and as far back in the chassis as possible to optimise the centre-of-gravity and weight distribution, while the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission is mounted in the rear. DBS Superleggera has the ability to combine the responses of a supercar with the refinement of a GT because of its mechanical limited-slip differential and torque vectoring which enables precise, predictable and exploitable handling and a lower final drive for explosive in-gear acceleration.
To produce the signature sound of the DBS Superleggera, Aston Martin have developed a new “exhaust strategy” with active valves and quad tailpipes. It ensures that the Superleggera has a commanding and powerful sound character while retaining a level of refinement and civility that compliments its role as the consummate Super GT.
The Superleggera’s signature silhouette borrows from the DNA of its predecessors while evolving into a distinct individual in its own right. It combines compelling curves with advanced aerodynamics for a sleek shape that both cheat the wind and clamps the car to the road. Aerodynamic concepts first seen on the DB11, such as the curlicue and Aeroblade have evolved and combined with new technologies such as the F1-inspired double-diffuser to generate a combined downforce of up to 180 kg, with no additional drag penalty.
The power generated within, and the external forces acting on the car are translated into controlled performance thanks to its chassis, which is an evolution of the latest generation of lightweight bonded aluminium. The forged double wishbone suspension system at the front and a sophisticated multi-link system at the rear, combined with the latest generation adaptive damping, are capable of handling the demands of the race track as well as the civility of the road. Both the powertrain and chassis have a choice of three dynamic modes – GT, Sport and Sport Plus – which can be selected by the driver to intensify or relax DBS Superleggera’s responses according to the needs of the driver. The DBS’ power is transferred onto the road through the 21 inches diameter Pirelli tyres explicitly developed for DBS Superleggera.
As expected, the interior of the flagship offers a high level of craftsmanship with extensive scope for personalisation thanks to a generous choice of options. Supple, aromatic leather and Alcantara upholstery comes as standard, as do the ‘Sports Plus’ performance seats and steering wheel. There is a choice of two alloy wheel designs: the standard ‘Y’ spoke forged wheel, and the lightweight ‘Twin’ spoke forged wheel. There is also a choice of four Designer Specifications, which are specially chosen colour and trim combinations put together by the Aston Martin Design.
The DBS Superleggera also features a generous level of standard equipment as would be expected, such as keyless entry, tyre pressure monitoring system and a 360-degree camera with Parking Distance Display and Park Assist. The audio system has DAB plus Bluetooth audio and phone streaming, iPod, iPhone and USB playback. There is also an integrated satellite navigation system and wi-fi hub. All the in-car infotainment systems use a central LCD screen, controlled via a central dial.
Priced from £225,000 in the UK, EUR 274,995 in Germany and $304,995 in the USA, deliveries of DBS Superleggera are scheduled to begin in Q3 2018.
