DBS Superleggera arrived!
Discussion
So now that I've racked up a few miles on the DBS, I think I've formulated my viewpoint on this machine. Spoiler: I haven't owned / driven a car that's put such a big smile on my face, so much of the time.
First, I think the car is stunning. The DBS isn't a small car, being actually almost 2" wider than my Mulsanne. Nor is it a superlight car, at right around 4000 lb. However, the proportions are almost perfect in my eyes. Having had a 2005 Vanquish S in the past, and a Rapide S also, well, those two are beautiful, elegant cars, with the Vanquish S being the more subtly aggressive of the two. The DBS looks stunning and goes a few steps further above those (and pretty much anything else in the Aston line-up, Zagato included... excluding Valkyrie/Vulcan here) and is just downright menacing while still having gorgeous, curvy lines and those amazing rear haunches. I fell in love with it when I first saw it back in May, and in the right spec (read: not dark colors) I can't imagine a more beautiful contemporary car. All subjective, of course.
Secondly, the drivetrain. The 5.2L twin turbo V12 (all Aston-built) is unbelievable. I thought I would miss the NA 6.0L, but this engine makes all the right noises, generates an absurd amount of power (715hp) and torque (664 lb-ft from 1,800-5,000rpm) paired to an 8 speed ZF gearbox. In GT mode (aka standard), everything is mellow, the exhaust is quiet (kind of), and it's perfect for gobbling up tons of miles on the highway. I tracked it in both Sport and Sport+ which both seemed to unleash ridiculous throttle and steering fun. Sport+ is the way to go for crazy fun for sure, with instantaneous throttle and kickdown response and all the glorious noises of the V12. And oh, it can break traction in 5th gear.
Thirdly, the comfort. The DBS has 3 suspension settings, which you can set independently from the transmission modes. Comfort is great, Sport is tighter all around but still not uncomfortable, and Sport+ is perfect for the track. Not much to say beyond that.
Now for the interior... it's not as high tech as pretty much most things out there, but the materials are wonderful. I'd say I wish it was a bit more differentiated from the DB11 (and there are little things), but it's thoughtfully laid out and very easy to get used to. There's not much to distract you from the driving experience, and works super well on the highway and the track. The seats are quite comfortable and they even cool and heat at the same time (I guess another Mercedes trait). The infotainment does everything I need it to do (radio and Bluetooth), so I'm not complaining.
Finally, the driving experience. This car is insane. I can be at any speed, and if I stomp down on the accelerator, I get to something much faster quicker than I could ever expect. There's so much wonderful steering feel, the car feels so chuckable around fast corners, it's so predictable and easy to build up your confidence, and go even faster the next time around. On the track, there was an unreal amount of grip, and when you started running out of grip, you could get it into a very controllable slide. The front end is just beautiful - the right amount of weighting, neutrality, and feel. Bursting out of the corners onto any straight, accelerating from 50-100 or even to 130... you're there before you know it, while the carbon ceramic brakes reel the car in time after time with such force.
The only real downsides I feel it has are probably more trivial than anything. First, the rear bootlid should not have the ASTON MARTIN script, it should have the wings badge. I remedied that pretty much immediately (yep, either tell the Q division to do it, or order an extra "Wings" badge before the car gets delivered). Second, the backseat could be a tiny bit bigger, but as it is, I've test-fit the car seat in it and it fits (forward facing... so not quite ready for that yet). Third, I wish it was a hatchback, for the practicality. The boot isn't that big.
TL;DR: the DBS Superleggera is a car with a simple mission - to put the biggest smile on your face. It isn't trying to be the best car out there, and by no means is it, but it succeeds so wonderfully by connecting the driver to the driving experience and road without overwhelming you with crazy tech and settings. And I can't get enough from the full power acceleration runs and the noise that accompanies those.
First, I think the car is stunning. The DBS isn't a small car, being actually almost 2" wider than my Mulsanne. Nor is it a superlight car, at right around 4000 lb. However, the proportions are almost perfect in my eyes. Having had a 2005 Vanquish S in the past, and a Rapide S also, well, those two are beautiful, elegant cars, with the Vanquish S being the more subtly aggressive of the two. The DBS looks stunning and goes a few steps further above those (and pretty much anything else in the Aston line-up, Zagato included... excluding Valkyrie/Vulcan here) and is just downright menacing while still having gorgeous, curvy lines and those amazing rear haunches. I fell in love with it when I first saw it back in May, and in the right spec (read: not dark colors) I can't imagine a more beautiful contemporary car. All subjective, of course.
Secondly, the drivetrain. The 5.2L twin turbo V12 (all Aston-built) is unbelievable. I thought I would miss the NA 6.0L, but this engine makes all the right noises, generates an absurd amount of power (715hp) and torque (664 lb-ft from 1,800-5,000rpm) paired to an 8 speed ZF gearbox. In GT mode (aka standard), everything is mellow, the exhaust is quiet (kind of), and it's perfect for gobbling up tons of miles on the highway. I tracked it in both Sport and Sport+ which both seemed to unleash ridiculous throttle and steering fun. Sport+ is the way to go for crazy fun for sure, with instantaneous throttle and kickdown response and all the glorious noises of the V12. And oh, it can break traction in 5th gear.
Thirdly, the comfort. The DBS has 3 suspension settings, which you can set independently from the transmission modes. Comfort is great, Sport is tighter all around but still not uncomfortable, and Sport+ is perfect for the track. Not much to say beyond that.
Now for the interior... it's not as high tech as pretty much most things out there, but the materials are wonderful. I'd say I wish it was a bit more differentiated from the DB11 (and there are little things), but it's thoughtfully laid out and very easy to get used to. There's not much to distract you from the driving experience, and works super well on the highway and the track. The seats are quite comfortable and they even cool and heat at the same time (I guess another Mercedes trait). The infotainment does everything I need it to do (radio and Bluetooth), so I'm not complaining.
Finally, the driving experience. This car is insane. I can be at any speed, and if I stomp down on the accelerator, I get to something much faster quicker than I could ever expect. There's so much wonderful steering feel, the car feels so chuckable around fast corners, it's so predictable and easy to build up your confidence, and go even faster the next time around. On the track, there was an unreal amount of grip, and when you started running out of grip, you could get it into a very controllable slide. The front end is just beautiful - the right amount of weighting, neutrality, and feel. Bursting out of the corners onto any straight, accelerating from 50-100 or even to 130... you're there before you know it, while the carbon ceramic brakes reel the car in time after time with such force.
The only real downsides I feel it has are probably more trivial than anything. First, the rear bootlid should not have the ASTON MARTIN script, it should have the wings badge. I remedied that pretty much immediately (yep, either tell the Q division to do it, or order an extra "Wings" badge before the car gets delivered). Second, the backseat could be a tiny bit bigger, but as it is, I've test-fit the car seat in it and it fits (forward facing... so not quite ready for that yet). Third, I wish it was a hatchback, for the practicality. The boot isn't that big.
TL;DR: the DBS Superleggera is a car with a simple mission - to put the biggest smile on your face. It isn't trying to be the best car out there, and by no means is it, but it succeeds so wonderfully by connecting the driver to the driving experience and road without overwhelming you with crazy tech and settings. And I can't get enough from the full power acceleration runs and the noise that accompanies those.
LOL - It is a beautiful colour - and one I would seriously consider if I had the money (all spent out now!) I would maybe go for a bit more contrasting colour inside, but your point about reflective surfaces in the bright US light is a very valid concern - been there and done that and it was really hard to drive without sunglasses.
Thanks a lot for your feedback, always great to have the owner's experience.
I don't like the New AMG Vantage, I find the DB11 too GT like, too much like driving a big Benz, I haven't driven the DBS Superleggera yet but I do like the looks and it seems they've got this one right.
I like my Aston to be a bit of an animal you need to tame and it sounds like yours is just that kind of car!
They do need to delete the big ASTON MARTIN letters and put a wing badge like you did, it looks so much better.
I wish you plenty of joyful miles at the wheel of this beauty!
I don't like the New AMG Vantage, I find the DB11 too GT like, too much like driving a big Benz, I haven't driven the DBS Superleggera yet but I do like the looks and it seems they've got this one right.
I like my Aston to be a bit of an animal you need to tame and it sounds like yours is just that kind of car!
They do need to delete the big ASTON MARTIN letters and put a wing badge like you did, it looks so much better.
I wish you plenty of joyful miles at the wheel of this beauty!
nickv8 said:
Thank you ntlr! Great write-up and very happy to read it’s an “emotional” beast rather than simply astonishingly fast and efficient.
The size of the thing is my only concern down country lanes around here. But that could be said of many new cars...
You are right, it is a wide car (it's actually a tiny bit wider than my Mulsanne, including mirrors). But when I started chucking it around the track, it didn't feel like a big car at all The size of the thing is my only concern down country lanes around here. But that could be said of many new cars...
The boot lid LETTERING is a bit Marmite,,, changing them for the badge being the way out, the missing indentation being the only niggle. Another way of mitigating the LETTERING effect on darker coloured cars might be to have them specced in a darker (carbon) finish. 
Edited by MO55 on Sunday 20th January 11:15
MO55 said:
The boot lid LETTERING is a bit Marmite,,, changing them for the badge being the way out, the missing indentation being the only niggle. Another way of mitigating the LETTERING effect on darker coloured cars might be to have them specced in a darker (carbon) finish.
I thought about speccing the car with the carbon fiber badges, but ended up wanting the contrast and the beautiful enamel of the bright wings. But agree - the carbon finish may work well on the darker colors.Edited by MO55 on Sunday 20th January 11:15
Petrol Ped on YouTube has a DBS test drive posted today, thought these shots were interesting. My daily is a Cayenne but I still think the new era Astons are to big!
Aston did get the front end design right on this one.
DW
Aston did get the front end design right on this one.
DW
Edited by David W. on Friday 25th January 22:17
Edited by David W. on Monday 29th April 07:36
Had mine delivered for the second time.
trim_157ABA4F-02EA-40CE-9619-CD731577DB27 by v8lemon, on Flickr
trim_157ABA4F-02EA-40CE-9619-CD731577DB27 by v8lemon, on FlickrThanks for the write up, sounds good. Had similar experience during my test drive. Will wait for the Volante (and hopefully upgraded interior and transmission).
hornbaek said:
Its like a yacht ownership. The best days of ownership are the day you buy and the day you sell it. In between it is like standing in a cold shower ripping apart 50 pound notes. Been there done that.
Agree regarding yachts, but I enjoy my current DBS every time I drive it, almost with a smile on my face! Best spend luxury money I can think of. 
Update: had an unfortunate incident, and the rear right rim has to be replaced (see picture) - none of the folks I've showed this to has ever seen something like this (the tire is perfectly fine, too...). I got a price on a replacement from a couple of dealers ($$$$), but they can't get an ETA on arrival for the replacement (and it's been over a week so far). Someone has reached out to the UK folks and no response from them.
I'm hugely disappointed in the level of responsiveness and service from the UK, the lack of availability of any replacements, and the price gouging that Aston is doing to their customers. I'm torn as I really love the car and the design of pretty much all of the new Astons and want to root for the underdog, but this experience has left a sour taste in my mouth with the company, and has caused me to change my mind on putting a deposit down for an RB-003.
I'm hugely disappointed in the level of responsiveness and service from the UK, the lack of availability of any replacements, and the price gouging that Aston is doing to their customers. I'm torn as I really love the car and the design of pretty much all of the new Astons and want to root for the underdog, but this experience has left a sour taste in my mouth with the company, and has caused me to change my mind on putting a deposit down for an RB-003.
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