Love It or Leave It - The 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

Having seen the gorgeous designs and solid performance figures of the DB11 and the new-generation Vantage, we were extremely anxious to see what Aston Martin has in store for next-generation Vanquish. The flagship grand tourer was finally unveiled this month, and alongside everything that is new inside and out, it also gained a new badge. Say goodbye to the Vanquish (for the second time), and hello to the DBS Superleggera.

Revived after six years, the DBS nameplate replaces the Vanquish for the second time. But this time around, it's joined by the "Superleggera" badge, which Aston Martin is using as a tribute to the Carrozzeria Touring, the design firm that helped pen the iconic DB4, DB5, and DB6. What do we think about this new design and the tech under the skin? Find out from the TopSpeed staff below.

Jonathan

Who doesn’t love an Aston Martin flagship? While it certainly isn’t perfect, the new DBS Superleggera does have a lot going for it. Let’s start outside, where we find one very handsome profile and rear end. I’m really digging those vents, and the sharp, technical cues add a lot to the styling. Unfortunately, the front end seems to be suffering from an acute case of grilletoobigitis. That’s a shame, but not totally unexpected - it’s been going around a lot lately.

Then there’s the engine. Yeah, natural aspiration would have been ideal, but it’s hardly even worth mentioning at this point. Forced induction is just where the world is headed, and I’d be quite the Luddite to dock the DBS Superleggera for going with turbos. Plus, it still keeps 12 cylinders on deck, and while the turbine housings might dull the sound slightly, you just know this thing will howl good enough to send shivers up your spine. If not, there’s more than 700 horses and 660 pound-feet of torque on tap to finish the job. Throw in a curb weight under the 4,000-pound mark, and things are looking good on the performance front.

Step inside, and the interior once again pulls from the DB11, and while the overarching design looks like it came from 15 years ago, Aston makes the most of it thanks to some slick material treatment and lovely upholstery stitching.

Overall, this thing certainly has my attention. Whether or not it has what it takes to beat the competition remains to be seen.

Ciprian

From where I stand, it's hard to find something not to like about the new DBS Superleggera. Aston Martin managed to combine aggressive styling cues and elegant features seamlessly, placing the grand tourer right between the Bentley Continental GT and the Ferrari 812 Superfast. While it's not as bland as its British counterpart, it's not as menacing as the Ferrari either. Sure, I do like that Superfast's supercar looks, but I like that Aston Martin added some of that classic grand tourer vibe to the DBS. The Brits already have the Vulcan in the supercar department, even though it's not street-legal, so the Superleggera is right where it should be with this design.

The DBS is quite solid as far as performance goes too. The twin-turbo, 5.2-liter V-12 cranks out an impressive 715 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque and needs 3.4 seconds to hit 62 mph. Surprisingly enough, it's not a lot quicker than the Vanquish S, but it's an improvement nonetheless. Luxury-wise, it has everything a $300,000 grand tourer should. There are acres of leather and Alcantara, quilted upholstery, contrast stitching, and even carbon-fiber.

My main complaint with the DBS is that the cabin is basically identical to the DB11. I know this is a heritage thing, as the old DBS and Vanquish were also based on the DB9, but the DBS needs a few more unique features. It deserves to stand out from the DB11, and Aston Martin should have designed the grand tourer as a much more exclusive car in order to move it even closer to the Ferrari 812 Superfast.

Safet

"A brute in a suit." These are the words Andy Palmer, Aston Martin CEO, used when talking about the new Aston Martin DBS Superleggera. I doubt Samuel Clemens would have said it better if he were here. Ian Fleming might have, though.

Aston Martin is finally showing what it’s made of - elegance, sophistication, and hardcore power. Honestly, it is difficult to cherry pick words and describes the car that epitomizes everything my personal favorite car producer stands for. The list of things I like about it is probably way too long for the confines of this text, but let’s just say that if I were to choose between the new DBS Superleggera and the James Bond’s DB5, I would take the new one. Hate me as much as you want, but just look at it.

Sure, that massive grille might be a put-off for some, but I do have some experience with Aston Martins. The photographs, even the best ones, do not do them justice. The proportions are always right. Perfect in fact. The appeal is almost organic and emotional. Have no doubt that this is the case with the newest of them all as well.

"A brute in a suit" then? The 5.2-liter, V-12 has been comprehensively improved to deliver 715 horsepower. A lot! You can hear all 715 of them as they sound through the quad exhaust now screaming louder than the DB11. Basically everything else "screams louder" than the DB11, including the transmission with shorter gearing to deliver an even brisker performance. With 145 lbs less than before, more power, and sportier suspension, the DBS Superleggera is the perfect Aston Martin.

There is one thing I’d like changed a bit! The interior should have a tad more flamboyance to it. Sure, it is a gentleman's car, but just a tiny bit of madness here would not harm anybody. Personalization will do the trick probably.

The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is a testament to the new generation of Aston Martin cars which brought the company to profitability for the first time in a long, long time. It is a flagship for the brand incorporating all that matters - technology, power, style, and prestige.

Jonathan

Ciprian

Safet

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