New DBS Superleggera
Discussion
Someone drag raced a heavy car with less torque in 1st gear against a much lighter car with more torque.
The quoted 0-62 times are close (DBS is quoted as 0.2 seconds quicker), but with the power reduction in 1st and 2nd gears to get the most out of it probably requires a carefully practiced balance of revs and short shifting.
The quoted 0-62 times are close (DBS is quoted as 0.2 seconds quicker), but with the power reduction in 1st and 2nd gears to get the most out of it probably requires a carefully practiced balance of revs and short shifting.
Jon39 said:
When I first saw it, I thought "here we go, some ammunition for the Aston bashers and Merc fanboys[1]". I wasn't disappointed, they appeared from under their bridges, grunting and heckling like trolls do, all over the comments section (it turned out most aren't old enough to possess a driving license). I think a less ham fisted approach to getting the DBS off the line would have helped. A few websites have strapped data loggers to it and the numbers mostly correlate with the quoted figures, so on a different day, with a different driver - it would murder the GTR I expect. I'd like to take the DBS to a RWYB at the Pod and see how it gets on (of the few abilities I have, one is some knowledge about launching cars on drag strips 
).Something it highlighted was the lack of parity in how a high performance car is measured. When it suits, some journos want a car with clever electronics that gloss over the driver's ham fists, and launch control that does everything for you. Other times, they want the car to need some finesse and mechanical sympathy to get the most out of it. The DBS leans toward needing some finesse to get its power down effectively. Personally I don't mind that, but it does mean there's a lack of repeat ability when these drag races are undertaken and portrayed as gospel for how the car performs. Perfect for confirmation bias if the agenda is to detract from just how good a car it is.
[1] Unfortunately for the detractors, Aston are producing cars that now, when objectively measured, can compete, or beat their contemporaries, and the very foundation of arguments is now null and void i.e. "pretty but really slow". That's a nice place to be IMO. The DBS looks to be a fantastic all rounder.
60kg does not make the AMG 'much lighter' considering the HP disparity. Also, the DBS gets off the line first and maintains that lead for a good bit, so I don't quite understand why it couldn't hold that lead given its HP advantage.
German cars always seem to win drag races that on paper they shouldn't based on power to weight ratio, which makes one suspicious of their published HP. This goes for all Marques, not just against AM.
German cars always seem to win drag races that on paper they shouldn't based on power to weight ratio, which makes one suspicious of their published HP. This goes for all Marques, not just against AM.
DB9VolanteDriver said:
60kg does not make the AMG 'much lighter' considering the HP disparity. Also, the DBS gets off the line first and maintains that lead for a good bit, so I don't quite understand why it couldn't hold that lead given its HP advantage.
German cars always seem to win drag races that on paper they shouldn't based on power to weight ratio, which makes one suspicious of their published HP. This goes for all Marques, not just against AM.
I think it's down to the complexity of the launch control, look at this launch, the GT does everything for you, switching gears at optimal torque; the Top Gear guy was doing it for himself, did he even properly launch it?German cars always seem to win drag races that on paper they shouldn't based on power to weight ratio, which makes one suspicious of their published HP. This goes for all Marques, not just against AM.
PantsFire said:
I think it's down to the complexity of the launch control, look at this launch, the GT does everything for you, switching gears at optimal torque; the Top Gear guy was doing it for himself, did he even properly launch it?
I presume that this must be the answer to my question.
An unfair match therefore. M-B robot versus AM human.
Jon39 said:
Something seems off there. New DBS is supposed to be quicker from 50-100 than the 812 Superfast is it not?I was suprised. Especially given the stats on the two cars but it was a pretty convincing win by the AMG. AM DBS got the jump on the AMG GTR but was reeled in and passed easily.
Makes me wonder if AM will launch some hotter tunes with their turbocharged V12s & V8s in the DB & Vantage applications. That V8 engine output with a simple tune is certainly amazing.
TeeRev said:
The reg no is in the photos, someone cleverer than me might be able to find out the date of registration from that.
At your service.
May 2018.
The lack of DVLA details (no engine capacity etc.) indicates it probably is a development car. They are usually eventually scrapped.
Oh, and the official registered colour is green!
Perhaps continuing the Aston-Martin (note the hyphen) 1920s (rumoured) practice.
Edited by Jon39 on Monday 17th September 12:42
That looks like the DBS mule. only one digit away from this one https://www.autogespot.com/aston-martin-dbs-superl...
Also I see there is one set of photos for the DBSS volante mule on that site too
Also I see there is one set of photos for the DBSS volante mule on that site too
Jon39 said:
TeeRev said:
The reg no is in the photos, someone cleverer than me might be able to find out the date of registration from that.
At your service.
May 2018.
The lack of DVLA details (no engine capacity etc.) indicates it probably is a development car. They are usually eventually scrapped.
Oh, and the official registered colour is green!
Perhaps continuing the Aston-Martin (note the hyphen) 1920s (rumoured) practice.
The matt black certainly looked more like a wrap than a paint job so that sounds about right, still a bit strange that it should be meandering around Sussex when it was a development car, mind you Firle Hill Climb does attract a few unusual vehicles.
Did you notice the Unipower GT in the background of pic 2, a very rare thing as only 71 were built, I tested one in 1968 but bought an Elan instead, I'm planning on buying an Aston Martin next year in case you were wondering why I spend a lot of time lurking here.
Edited by Jon39 on Monday 17th September 12:42
V12Manual said:
That looks like the DBS mule. only one digit away from this one https://www.autogespot.com/aston-martin-dbs-superl...
Also I see there is one set of photos for the DBSS volante mule on that site too
Also I see there is one set of photos for the DBSS volante mule on that site too
This was in a mid Wales hotel over the weekend just posted it on the spotted page.
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