The 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is a long, refreshing breath of fresh air with its 715 hp, twin-turbo, 5.2L V-12 and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
As if it's a statement of defiance to the rising horsepower ratings from its competitors, the 715 hp coupe transcends both the DB11 and Vantage models, both fast and powerful in their own right with the 503 hp, 4.0L twin-turbo standard loadout. The $308,081 price tag suggests its target market is that of a demanding one, the Aston Martin appears eager to deliver.
Car and Driver says the Superleggera is positively framed with phrases like “endless thrust” and “incredible noise” generously applied throughout. The interior is spacious enough for the daily driver while maintaining the trademark luxury with premium materials and craftsmanship throughout. However luxurious and spacious it may be, with the pricetag breaking the $300K marker, the question to ask is "why buy?" The 715 hp package is the same engine as the DB11 platform it’s based on.
RELATED: LISTEN TO ASTON MARTIN'S VALKYRIE HIT FULL THROTTLE
The answer is for the Aston Martin salesman to solicit to a listening ear, but the difference between the over-muscled DBS and the DB11 is more than just simple tuning. As far as the engine goes, the additional 85 hp and 147ft/lbs of torque are unlocked with a simple reprogram and an additional 4.4 lbs of boost. The increased power is passed to a higher-rated 8HP95 eight-speed automatic transmission twisting a carbon-fiber propeller shaft inside an aluminum torque tube.
Turbo lag is virtually undetectable and the powerful engine has been torque-limited for the first three gears in GT and Sport modes, while Sport+ limits it only up to second gear. The shorter final drive ratio (2.93:1) compared to the DB11’s 2.70:1 assists acceleration off the line and tackles 60mph and 100mph in 3.4 and 6.4 seconds respectively. Handling all that power is managed by a self-claimed 132 lbs and 265 lbs of downforce at the front and rear wheels at the car’s top speed of 211 mph.
Although the prohibitive price tag places this Aston Martin high above the average man’s budget, the car should be a solid purchase for those in the market for one and looking for, as Car and Driver describes, “…one-hand…[stability] at triple-digit speeds.” As fun as the car sounds to drive, a look at the average mileage for older, pre-owned models suggests they are not extensively driven by first owners.