The New Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Is Nearly Here

A front end leak today. Hopefully a full reveal tomorrow.

Its debut is imminent. In fact, many expected it to happen this weekend at Le Mans. Perhaps it still could. In any case, the all-new Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is nearly here, and today we can at least show you a leaked image of the upcoming Ferrari 812 Superfast rival’s front end, courtesy of Instagram. Apparently, this photo was taken earlier this month at a private showing of the final car minus camouflage at the UK company’s Gadon headquarters for select customers.

The image clearly shows a huge front grille with mesh inserts, with large air intakes on both sides. The previous spy shots we’ve seen were actually quite revealing, showing the DBS Superleggera’s general shape and many other exterior styling details, such as aggressive side skirts and other elements heavily borrowed from both the gorgeous DB11 and new Vantage. Under the long hood will be an upgraded version of the DB11’s twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12 with a projected 700 hp or so. To compare, the recently unveiled DB11 AMR has the same engine, only with 630 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

The interior, from what we’ve heard, is said to strongly resemble that of the DB11, although with various upgrades such as carbon fiber air vent surrounds and a supposed Mercedes-Benz-sourced rotary control for the infotainment system. Along with the coupe, the DBS Superleggera Volante convertible is also in the works, though we doubt both will debut at the same time. Expect the coupe to arrive first, and that can happen at just about any time. Stay tuned.

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Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante Spied Dancing At The Ring

Same V12 engine. Same stunning looks, only without a roof. We’re fine with that.

There’s one thing the Ferrari 812 Superfast doesn’t have the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera soon will: a drop top version. We’ve known for some time now that Aston Martin has been developing the DBS Superleggera Volante but our previous spy shots showed test mules still covered in bits of camouflage. Today, however, that’s not the case. Caught at the Nurburgring is this camo-free DBS Superleggera Volante.

Unfortunately, because of rainy weather, the test drivers were forced to keep the top up. But no matter, you still have a very good idea about what it’ll look like without a roof. We don’t know exactly when it’ll be revealed in full to the public, but a good guess will be at Geneva in March.

Under that long hood will be the very same 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 that powers the coupe. Expect a total of 715 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Power will be directed to the rear wheels through an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox. Zero to 62 mph should take about 3.4 seconds, assuming it matches the coupe’s performance. If so, top speed will be clocked at 211 mph.

As it typically goes, the convertible version of any coupe adds a few pounds to the total weight. The DBS Superleggera tips the scale at 3,732 pounds (158 pounds lighter than the DB11), but chances are some of that fat will be regained with the Volante.

How much exactly remains unknown at this point. We doubt that alone will deter buyers. Aston Martin has been on a new product blitz as of late, beginning with the DB11 and DB11 Volante, Vantage, and the DBS Superleggera coupe. Also set to arrive is an SUV, rumored to be called Varekai. It’s not due to go on sale until 2021, so we’re probably about a year out from its debut. In the meantime, expect the DBS Superleggera Volante to be the next big Aston Martin reveal.

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante Could Have Up To 820 HP

More than enough to surpass the Ferrari 812 Superfast.

The Aston Martin Vanquish coupe and Vanquish Volante are living on borrowed time. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Quite the opposite in fact. We’ve long known Aston Martin has been busy developing a pair of replacements that will revive the DBS and Superleggera nameplates. While we’ve already seen the new DBS coupe out testing decked in camouflage, today marks the first time the convertible version has made an appearance.

Not surprisingly, it’s at the Nurburgring and our spy photographers were there to catch it in action. Slotted above both the Vantage and DB11 in the UK automaker’s lineup, the new DBS will, at least until the mid-engined supercar arrives, serve as the brand’s flagship. Therefore, a V12 engine is required. Power will most likely come from a hopped up version of the DB11’s twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12, where it produces a healthy 630 hp (in the new DB11 AMR), and is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Expect the DBS, which will be targeting the likes of the Ferrari 812 Superfast, to be even more powerful. Just how much more so is the big question.

There have been rumors, of course, regarding this matter, one of which claims Aston Martin engineers have managed to extract around 820 hp. By comparison, the 812 Superfast offers up 789 hp thanks to its (naturally aspirated) V12. Aston Martin has rightly kept quiet on the details, but we should have the fully skinny sometime this fall, either at Paris or Los Angeles, when the DBS Superleggera Coupe is expected to make its first appearance. The Volante is expected to follow six to eight months later.

View the original article here

The New Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Is Nearly Here

A front end leak today. Hopefully a full reveal tomorrow.

Its debut is imminent. In fact, many expected it to happen this weekend at Le Mans. Perhaps it still could. In any case, the all-new Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is nearly here, and today we can at least show you a leaked image of the upcoming Ferrari 812 Superfast rival’s front end, courtesy of Instagram. Apparently, this photo was taken earlier this month at a private showing of the final car minus camouflage at the UK company’s Gadon headquarters for select customers.

The image clearly shows a huge front grille with mesh inserts, with large air intakes on both sides. The previous spy shots we’ve seen were actually quite revealing, showing the DBS Superleggera’s general shape and many other exterior styling details, such as aggressive side skirts and other elements heavily borrowed from both the gorgeous DB11 and new Vantage. Under the long hood will be an upgraded version of the DB11’s twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12 with a projected 700 hp or so. To compare, the recently unveiled DB11 AMR has the same engine, only with 630 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

The interior, from what we’ve heard, is said to strongly resemble that of the DB11, although with various upgrades such as carbon fiber air vent surrounds and a supposed Mercedes-Benz-sourced rotary control for the infotainment system. Along with the coupe, the DBS Superleggera Volante convertible is also in the works, though we doubt both will debut at the same time. Expect the coupe to arrive first, and that can happen at just about any time. Stay tuned.

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante And Hot AMR Version Officially Confirmed

The hardcore AMR version could pack up to 750 horsepower.

A couple of months ago, Aston Martin lifted the wraps off its new flagship grand-tourer, the DBS Superleggera. It’s currently only available as a coupe, but more variants are in the pipeline. Like the Vanquish it replaces, a convertible Volante was expected to join the coupe, but now it’s official.

As reported by Autocar, CEO Andy Palmer has confirmed that both Volante and AMR versions of the DBS Superleggera are already in the works. “I’m on record as saying that there will be an AMR version of every car, so you can take that as read, and the Volante is a given. In fact, testing has already begun,” he said. In truth, we’ve already seen a prototype of the DBS Superleggera Volante being tested, but this is the first time the car’s existence has been officially confirmed by Aston Martin.

Palmer emphasized the DBS Superleggera’s superior torque to the Ferrari 812 Superfast, suggesting this could be further improved on the AMR without sacrificing power. “The standard DBS Superleggera is designed to be a car that anyone can drive without feeling intimidated, but the punch it packs from that torque is what sets it apart. It is a sensational characteristic that every driver can enjoy,” he said. “But the engine can be turned up more and it will be on the AMR. As for how much and how, you will have to wait and see.”

The standard DBS Superleggera is powered by a 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 that produces 715 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque, but an Aston Martin executive recently confirmed the V12 has been engineered to produce a maximum of 750 hp without any major modifications. Palmer also described the Volante as a “no-brainer”, citing growing customer demand for more model variants.

“In 2016, we had the V12 DB11. It had 50% of the V12 market, which sounds great but isn’t a very wide base on which to sell from,” said Palmer. “As we rolled out the V8, the Volante and the AMR, we were able to stretch that vehicle’s appeal – to the point that the V12 has now moved from where it was originally pitched, so we have space between all the vehicles and room for a more diverse portfolio across the board. “The DBS Superleggera Volante makes a lot of sense. It’s fast and purposeful, but it's a car designed to be driven rather than be edgy and intimidating.”

Expect the DBS Superleggera Volante to have similar specs as the Coupe, but the extra weight will inevitably affect the 3.4-second sprint time by a few tenths of a second.

2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera First Look Review: A Brute In A Suit

Combining brute force with Aston looks is a recipe for success.

Let's take a moment to be thankful that we now live in a world were we can walk into a new car showroom, and drive away in a 700-horsepower car. The base Aston Martin DB11 with its 600-hp 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 isn't what we'd call slow, but the British automaker decided to take it up a notch with the new DBS Superleggera. Strike that, Aston has taken things up several notches. The 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 now produces a whopping 715 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque, making it an match for almost any car on the market.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through an eight speed automatic transmission - sorry manual lovers. 0-60 mph takes 3.4 seconds, 0-100 mph takes 6.4 seconds, and the top speed is 211 mph. These numbers are staggeringly quick when examined in a void, but how does the DBS stack up against its rivals? To be frank, there aren't too many luxury coupes that can hold a candle to the Aston. The now out-of-production Bentley Continental Super Sports was close with a 700 hp twin-turbo W12, matching the Superleggera's 0-60 time and hitting a top speed of 209 mph. A Super Sports version of the new Continental will arrive eventually, but nothing is confirmed.

With the Bentley out of contention, there are very few luxury cars that can match the Aston's performance. Sure, a Porsche 911 GT2 RS is faster, but we wouldn't call it a comfortable GT car. To find competitors for the DBS, we have to look below the realm of exotics and examine some of the "normal" luxury automakers, and even a few domestics. First, we have to consider the Mercedes S63 AMG coupe. We recently tested the convertible, and managed a 0-60 mph run of 3.3 seconds (that's faster than DBS' estimated time). Even though the AMG is down over 100 hp on the Aston, it's able to keep up thanks to all-wheel-drive grip.

So if all you care about is 0-60 performance, and you don't need the added prestige of the Aston Martin badge, you could save over $100,000 buying an S63. Likewise, if luxury is less of a concern, you could opt for one of the 700-plus hp domestic cars: the Corvette ZR1 and Dodge Hellcat. Like the GT2 RS, the ZR1 will easily outperform the DBS, though it will fall flat on its face as a luxury experience. The Dodge Challenger Hellcat offers close to the same power as the DBS for a fraction of the price, though we shouldn't have to explain that the materials Aston Martin uses in the interior put the Dodge to shame.

While the S63 comes close, the DBS only really has one car to worry about: the Ferrari 812 Superfast. Not only can the Ferrari match the Aston on quality and prestige, it is powered by a 6.5-liter V12 producing 789 hp and 530 lb-ft of torque. Though it lacks the tiny backseat found in the DBS, the 812 makes up for it with a quicker 2.8 second 0-60 time, a 7.9 second 0-124 time, and a matching top speed of 211. The Ferrari does cost around $30,000 more than the Aston, but what's another $30,000 to someone who is already spending over $300,000? The Ferrari is therefore a very close competitor, but even it has some drawbacks.

Though the Ferrari has a very nice interior, it can not match the elegance found in the Aston. The DBS features some of the most unique leather stitching we have ever seen on a car interior, and the performance-oriented layout of the 812 just isn't as elegant. We also mentioned the rear seat in the DBS. Of course, the back seat isn't huge, but it may make a difference if the purpose for buying the car is to cruise around with friends or family. As a luxury gran tourer, the new DBS Superleggera seems tough to beat. Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman describes the DBS as a "brute in a suit," and we certainly agree.

We said that the standard V12 DB11 isn't exactly slow, but it does lack a certain panache that the DB9 had. Perhaps that is why so soon into the DB11's life cycle, it has already been upgraded with the 630 hp DB11 AMR. We aren't saying the DB11 isn't fast, just not as exciting as we initially hoped. In terms of speed, the 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 feels like a fighter jet compared to the old 5.9-liter V12, which was more like a propeller plane. Still, the old engine would sing a glorious V12 song, while the new turbo unit simply sounds adequate at best. We hope that Aston can take it up few notches with the DBS, and force that turbo V12 to sing.

The DBS features a new active valve exhaust with quad pipes, which is said to deliver “commanding and powerful sound character" while still maintaining the refinement of a grand tourer. This should help it sound a bit livelier, while reduced weight and stiffer suspension should make it feel more giddy from behind the wheel. Hopefully we'll get a turn behind the wheel of the new DBS Superleggera, to see how well it lives up to the "brute in a suit" moniker.

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante Could Have Up To 820 HP

More than enough to surpass the Ferrari 812 Superfast.

The Aston Martin Vanquish coupe and Vanquish Volante are living on borrowed time. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Quite the opposite in fact. We’ve long known Aston Martin has been busy developing a pair of replacements that will revive the DBS and Superleggera nameplates. While we’ve already seen the new DBS coupe out testing decked in camouflage, today marks the first time the convertible version has made an appearance.

Not surprisingly, it’s at the Nurburgring and our spy photographers were there to catch it in action. Slotted above both the Vantage and DB11 in the UK automaker’s lineup, the new DBS will, at least until the mid-engined supercar arrives, serve as the brand’s flagship. Therefore, a V12 engine is required. Power will most likely come from a hopped up version of the DB11’s twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12, where it produces a healthy 630 hp (in the new DB11 AMR), and is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Expect the DBS, which will be targeting the likes of the Ferrari 812 Superfast, to be even more powerful. Just how much more so is the big question.

There have been rumors, of course, regarding this matter, one of which claims Aston Martin engineers have managed to extract around 820 hp. By comparison, the 812 Superfast offers up 789 hp thanks to its (naturally aspirated) V12. Aston Martin has rightly kept quiet on the details, but we should have the fully skinny sometime this fall, either at Paris or Los Angeles, when the DBS Superleggera Coupe is expected to make its first appearance. The Volante is expected to follow six to eight months later.

View the original article here