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- Highs Boastful exhaust note, breathtaking acceleration, stunning exterior styling.
- Lows Very heavy for something called Superleggera, heavily weighted steering, grabby brakes.
- Verdict The DBS Superleggera's beauty and V-12 accelerative punch are hard to beat, but its handling doesn't quite live up to expectations.
Overview
The DBS Superleggera combines the best of the modern Aston Martins with a historic name and presents it in a stunning package. While the DBS shares its design with the all-aluminum DB11, carbon fiber adorns much of the body in order to save weight. Lucky buyers can choose from the DBS coupe or the Volante convertible, which offers the same claimed 211-mph top speed but looks the business with its soft top folded. Unlike the DB11, all DBS Superleggeras come with a 715-hp V-12 engine that provides shocking acceleration and a spine-tingling exhaust note. But it's not perfect, and ironically so: Superleggera stands for "super-lightweight" but the DBS is heavy, which keeps it from being a superhero on curvy back roads. That bulk makes it more challenging to drive quickly than many other exotic sports cars.
What's New for 2020?
Very few changes are in store for the DBS Superleggera for 2020. Five new wheel designs are available as well as new available contrasting leather upholstery options. Aston Martin offered an On Her Majesty's Secret Service special edition coupe to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the James Bond film of the same name. Only 50 were made and all have already been sold.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Since they both retail for the same base price, choosing the hardtop coupe or the soft-top Volante convertible is a choice best left to the individual who's writing the check. Aston Martin offers a plethora of customization options for the DBS so we challenge you to create a distinct look that'll help the car stand out at concours car shows in 50 years.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Superleggera ("super light" in Italian) is perhaps not the best descriptor for this Aston; "super quick" might be more accurate, with a claimed zero-to-60-mph time of 3.2 seconds for the coupe and a 211-mph top speed for both coupe and convertible. A twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V-12 engine makes 715 horsepower and drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic; mash the gas pedal and the DBS takes off like a Saturn V rocket. Encounter some twisty roads and the DBS is rewarding—if challenging—to drive quickly. The ride is compliant over rough pavement, but don't expect the same level of refinement as in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Like other high-powered exotic sports cars, the DBS Superleggera isn't particularly fuel efficient, but its 22 mpg highway fuel economy rating from the EPA puts it ahead of rivals such as the Ferrari F8 Tributo (19 mpg highway) and the Lamborghini Huracán (18 mpg highway). We haven't had the chance to test the DBS's fuel efficiency on our 200-mile highway fuel economy test, but if we ever do, we'll update this story with results.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The DBS Superleggera is a grand touring sports car and as such comes standard with plenty of luxuries to make your trip comfortable. Leather-wrapped power-adjustable sports seats with heat and memory settings are standard. The cabin can be styled with several different types of trim, including open-pore ash wood, carbon fiber, or satin-finished chrome. We aren't sure how many carry-on suitcases will fit inside the DBS's trunk because, unfortunately, we've not had one in our office for testing. But Aston Martin will sell you a four-piece custom luggage set that's even color-matched to the interior of your specific car.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All DBS Superleggera models come with an 8.0-inch infotainment display with navigation as well as Bluetooth phone and audio streaming connectivity. The infotainment interface itself is a lightly reskinned version of Mercedes-Benz's COMAND software; a click wheel and touchpad are provided on the center console to navigate the menus, and it’s a fairly intuitive system overall. A nine-speaker stereo is standard but buyers can upgrade to a Bang & Olufsen setup.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have crash tested a DBS Superleggera, and it's unlikely that either agency will. As far as driver-assistance features are concerned, Aston Martin offers few such items on the DBS. Key safety features include:
- Standard front and rear parking sensors
- Standard 360-degree exterior camera system
- Standard airbags and electronic stability control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
As a boutique automaker, Aston Martin offers a unique warranty package that consists of a straight three-year protection policy that doesn't expire at a specific mileage. Buyers of the DBS Superleggera will be stuck paying for their own dealer maintenance visits, however, as the brand offers no complimentary scheduled maintenance policy as standard.
- Limited warranty covers 3 years with unlimited miles during that time period
- Powertrain warranty covers 3 years with unlimited miles during that time period
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2020 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2+2-passenger, 2-door coupe
BASE PRICE
$314,186
ENGINE TYPE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 48-valve V-12, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement
318 in3, 5204 cm3
Power
715 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque
663 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 110.4 in
Length: 185.5 in
Width: 77.5 in
Height: 50.4 in
Passenger volume: 72 ft3
Trunk volume: 9 ft3
Curb weight (C/D est): 4100 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 3.2 sec
100 mph: 7.3 sec
¼-mile: 11.0 sec
Top speed (mfr's claim): 211 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 17/14/22 mpg
