DBS Superleggera arrived!
Discussion
Sorry for the late response - was out of town for the weekend. Thanks for all the positive comments!
Last Friday, I had driven my Superamerica to the dealer to do all the paperwork, but then promptly took the family to Lake Tahoe thru New Year's. I officially picked the DBS up this morning and boy oh boy, what a hoot. I've only put 30 miles on it, then dropped it off to get paint correction (paint is actually pretty good on it... much better than Ferraris and some of the new Porsches...), full body film protection, and ceramic coating.
First (second?) impressions... phenomenal GT. I haven't driven a car that's put such a big grin on my face at all times. The interior could be newer/more innovative like the new Continental GT, but I got used to everything pretty quickly and love the whole package. It's simple, but it all works together in such an incredible fashion. And I can break traction in 4th gear (I heard you can do it in 5th too)... completely bonkers.
Also, to answer some questions (and more photos will come eventually):
1) Exterior: went nuts and did Zaffre Blue. What a beautiful color (I did love the Vanquish S in Ming). This is darker and deeper than Ming.
2) Interior: I was boring and did Obsidian, but with blue welting and stitching. I think it works. I had originally thought about going for saddle, but wasn't too keen on duotone, and wouldn't do a single color saddle due to the dash topper reflecting off the windshield.
Last Friday, I had driven my Superamerica to the dealer to do all the paperwork, but then promptly took the family to Lake Tahoe thru New Year's. I officially picked the DBS up this morning and boy oh boy, what a hoot. I've only put 30 miles on it, then dropped it off to get paint correction (paint is actually pretty good on it... much better than Ferraris and some of the new Porsches...), full body film protection, and ceramic coating.
First (second?) impressions... phenomenal GT. I haven't driven a car that's put such a big grin on my face at all times. The interior could be newer/more innovative like the new Continental GT, but I got used to everything pretty quickly and love the whole package. It's simple, but it all works together in such an incredible fashion. And I can break traction in 4th gear (I heard you can do it in 5th too)... completely bonkers.
Also, to answer some questions (and more photos will come eventually):
1) Exterior: went nuts and did Zaffre Blue. What a beautiful color (I did love the Vanquish S in Ming). This is darker and deeper than Ming.
2) Interior: I was boring and did Obsidian, but with blue welting and stitching. I think it works. I had originally thought about going for saddle, but wasn't too keen on duotone, and wouldn't do a single color saddle due to the dash topper reflecting off the windshield.
Jon39 said:
Beautiful, you must be thrilled.
Your first photograph also shows a Ferrari, in what might be an identical colour.
Is there a story connecting the two cars?
Enjoy.
A more fulsome review to come from my end, but I've been having too much fun. Took it out for its first track day yesterday (with the AMOC), now even more in love with the DBS. Say what you will about it vs. the previous generation, this thing is a complete beast and amazingly chuckable around some tight corners.
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.
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...
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
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.
Thanks JohnG1 - helpful suggestion! Hopefully get something resolved so I can get back on the road with it.
CSK1 - unfortunate bump (think pothole-sized). Totally my fault, just surprised this happened to the wheel on that with no discernible damage at all to the tire or loss of air. What I fear the most is not getting a wheel for 3 months, which seems like a real possibility as I know someone who has been waiting for over a month for their set of rims (Rapide).
CSK1 - unfortunate bump (think pothole-sized). Totally my fault, just surprised this happened to the wheel on that with no discernible damage at all to the tire or loss of air. What I fear the most is not getting a wheel for 3 months, which seems like a real possibility as I know someone who has been waiting for over a month for their set of rims (Rapide).
Thanks guys. I will say, Andy is quite responsive and takes these matters very seriously. I know they probably have some stuff to work on, but there aren't many companies out there with a CEO that is as responsive to their customers. Kudos to him for that, and sounds like the wheel is coming.
CSK1 said:
Sorry to hear about your misfortune and I hope this gets sorted. AML should treasure their clients, client satisfaction is key in any business these days
Indeed I can see Dr Palmer takes these stories seriously and does everything he can to find a solution.
Which other car company has its CEO so personally involved.
That's what we love about Aston Martin.
Please be profitable but don't grow too much.
I absolutely agree with most of your points. Unfortunately (or fortunately?), at this point as a public company, Aston has some responsibility to its public market shareholders and so will have to grow (and be profitable at the same time). Partially because it's a relatively small company, it is a great perk that Andy takes these issues to heart.Indeed I can see Dr Palmer takes these stories seriously and does everything he can to find a solution.
Which other car company has its CEO so personally involved.
That's what we love about Aston Martin.
Please be profitable but don't grow too much.
JohnG1 said:
I've always been somewhat jealous of the car owners in States that don't require front number plates. So much cleaner looking.
Handsome DBS-S. What's the white car with all the dive planes, spoiler and what-not?
California actually requires a front plate, I (and many others) just don't put it on because it looks better without.Handsome DBS-S. What's the white car with all the dive planes, spoiler and what-not?
The white car is a Dodge Viper ACR. It's nuts...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1FSMIxEbAM
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