DBS Superleggera Volante breaks cover
First sighting of Aston's topless super GT as launch of the coupe version nears
We're rather excited about the new DBS Superleggera. Replacing the Vanquish - Aston's outgoing flagship model - was never going to be easy because it really lived the super GT theme; being large and swift and achingly pretty. Succeeding in the latter virtue ought to be the firm's priority, and as the latest spy pictures show, the model is set to receive a host of Vantage and DB11 design cues.
The eagle-eyed among you will also notice that this particular car has shed its roof, making it the Volante variant of the Superleggera. Confirmation of the convertible's development is significant because it will inevitably sit above the coupe in the range pecking order, and will likely be the quickest Aston drop-top yet.
Serious speed will come courtesy of what's expected to be a suitably serious configuration of Aston's 6.0-litre V12. Early word suggests the unit - already outputting beyond 600hp in the outgoing Vanquish S - might go to beyond 700hp in its new setting. That level of power is not just for show either; Gaydon wants the DBS to really excel at the 'super' end of the GT segment, and rival anything built on the continent in performance terms.
Much has been made of this higher level of intent, especially when compared to the DB11 - the car it shares most of its architecture with. The relationship apparently extends to the interior, too (our spy snapper revealing virtually the same layout in the DBS as in its sibling) although being a test mule, there's plenty of time for this to be Superleggera-ised.
The coupe version of the model launches next month, with Aston already describing its potential as 'pushing the boundary of performance and design'. The Volante, naturally, will come later, as the brand build towards next year and the introduction of the DBX SUV.
Of course, if you can't wait until then, there is ample choice awaiting you in the PH classifieds - from an utterly lovely and almost new Vanquish S Volante Zagato (a snip at £800k) to the £55k you'll pay for the still incredible looking first generation coupe from 2003.
[Photos: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien]
For the first time I can think of I'm glad I can't afford one, because deciding between the DB11 or DBS would be damn near impossible.
There’s absolutely no way the wonderful n/a V12 in the outgoing Vanq S is going to get anywhere near 700bhp.
The V12 TT unit is highly unstressed in DB11 guise, so getting the output to start with a ‘7’ should be a relatively straight forward case of boost, ECU and induction/exhaust. I expect the torque to be monstrous.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff