Wednesday 18th April 2018

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera confirmed

New Vanquish replacement to be the "definitive Aston Martin Super GT"

---

With the DB11 having been out for some time now, and the new Vantage launch done and dusted, Aston Martin is fast closing in on its goal of replacing each of its cars with a 'Second Century' equivalent. There are just two left to go now but, though we've previously caught several glimpses of Aston Martin's successor to the current Vanquish, there have been no firm details to go on until now.

The expectation is still that it'll borrow quite a bit from the DB11, both in terms of the junior car's aluminium platform and its 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 - putting out around 650hp in uprated guise. But while we may not have any confirmation of performance or specification, we do now have our first solid information on the new car: that it won't be a Vanquish at all.

Instead, Aston is set to revive the DBS name for its next flagship - the title having been first used on its 1967 grand tourer and revived again in 2007 before being dropped for the current Vanquish.

That isn't the only thing Aston is pulling from the history books as it looks to the future though, with Touring's famous Superleggera script also set to adorn the - heavily sculpted - bonnet of a Gaydon car once more. Having previously made an appearance on the DB4, DB5 and DB6, its inclusion on the DBS is designed to pay homage to the super-lightweight construction once enabled by Touring. Aston claims that the name also provides a hint of what can be expected from the upcoming model, set to feature "the highest levels of performance, craftsmanship and design."

Speaking on the significance of the naming, Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman said, "When you hear the name DBS Superleggera, you know what it is. It's the definitive Aston Martin Super GT. It's an icon, a statement, and this one will be no different. We've pushed the boundaries of performance and design to give this car a distinct character and ensure it's worthy of the heritage and weight that this name carries".

Some pretty bold claims for the car to live up to already, then, and some pretty big shoes to fill too. Full details of the new 'Super GT' are set to be revealed in the second quarter of 2018, with cars expected to reach showrooms by the end of the year. More news when we have it.

[emiliotony]

Cant wait

[myhandle]

Aston Martin are delivering on everything Andy Palmer promised . It’s great news.

[irocfan]

superb. Not that I'm in a position to buy one (nor am I ever likely to be in that position) but this is my 'dream brand', you can't take your Porsches/Ferraris/Lambos etc.

[FN2TypeR]

Yes please

[Ares]

Will it be lightweight though? Always baffled by brands that use the Superleggera tag with an 1800kg supercar.

[Nightshade]

Isn't 'Superleggera' a bit Italian for a British marque? Wouldn't something like 'Superlight' be better fitting?

[mwstewart]

Lovely. I wish the wheels weren't so brash but overall it is stunning.

[urquattroGus]

Fantastic!

Aston seem to be on a roll right now!

Great idea using the Superleggera link to older DB's.

[FTW]

mwstewart said:

Lovely. I wish the wheels weren't so brash but overall it is stunning.

The wheels on what?

[Duffman83]

Are they actually going to be allowed to call this a Superleggera? I thought Ducati had the rights to that name and it's why Lamborghini has to use Performante now rather than Superleggera.

[Triumph Man]

Nightshade said:

Isn't 'Superleggera' a bit Italian for a British marque? Wouldn't something like 'Superlight' be better fitting?

There was a DB6 Superleggera

[rivercar1981]

No DB6 was ever superleggera in build, nor did it have it on its bonnet.

Only the DB4 and Db5 had the build and name on its bonnet.

[Triumph Man]

rivercar1981 said:

No DB6 was ever superleggera in build, nor did it have it on its bonnet.

Only the DB4 and Db5 had the build and name on its bonnet.

Whoops sorry my mistake! One for the "stupid things petrolheads say" thread haha

My point was that Superleggera was used in the past and is not a new thing.

[FourWheelDrift]

rivercar1981 said:

No DB6 was ever superleggera in build, nor did it have it on its bonnet.

These DB6s all have Superleggera on the bonnet.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[rivercar1981]

FourWheelDrift said:

rivercar1981 said:

No DB6 was ever superleggera in build, nor did it have it on its bonnet.

These DB6s all have Superleggera on the bonnet.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Ah OK. Early ones were badged as such. Apologies.
But they are not Superleggera construction.

http://astonmartins.com/car/db6/

Pointless using the name if its not also backed up by being lightweight IMHO.

[E65Ross]

That Vanquish is a stunningly pretty car, isn't it!

[Ares]

Duffman83 said:

Are they actually going to be allowed to call this a Superleggera? I thought Ducati had the rights to that name and it's why Lamborghini has to use Performante now rather than Superleggera.

I'd be surprised if Ducati had any rights. Superleggera has been used across many brands for decades. I've even got a pair of shoes with superleggera soles

[Gandahar]

Aston really should have learnt the Italian for

Mutton dressed up as lamb

Before giving us this teaser.

It better be light, Mclaren 720 light given that name.

I bet it is a Superporkerra

[gforceg]

Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman said, ".......and weight that this name carries".

Quack quack.

[spyker138]

Touring of Milan originated the use of Superleggera in the 1950's as a lightweight construction technique, manufactured the first DB4's and I imagine they own the branding, especially in that typeface. Maybe they were involved in the design of the new DBS (hope so), or are licensing the name, or maybe AM still have rights to it from the DB era? Most of all let's hope the car really deserves the name and it's not just a whim of the 'creative' director.

Anyway they still exist and make some nice cars..... Touring of Milan