SUBLIME SUPERLEGGERA

Dramatic. That’s probably the most accurate way to sum up the stunning Aston Martin DBS Superleggera. A multi-faceted, addictive, irrepressible, exotic, beautiful drama. It starts with the design. Spot one rumbling down the high street and you can’t help but stare in awe at its breath-taking proportions. Low, muscular, angry; it exudes a road presence that even the glitziest SUV’s struggle to achieve.

The huge front grille guides the eyes towards the vast clamshell carbon-fibre bonnet and as you work your way along its side profile, it tapers beautifully into a set of powerful rear haunches which glisten with confidence. The same level of authority continues around the back. A carbon fibre spoiler sits proudly atop the boot lid, whilst the complex rear quad-exhausts and carbon diffuser gives it a distinctly menacing appearance. Make no mistake, the DBS is a work of art.

But don’t go away thinking that it’s all looks and no substance. Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, and Head of Vehicle Dynamics, Matt Becker have worked in tandem on the DBS to create an intoxicating package that satisfies not only the need for sensational aesthetics, but jaw-dropping performance as well. And they’ve succeeded.

Catapulting the DBS into the horizon is a beefier, more advanced version of the 5.2 litre twin-turbocharged V12 which originally powered the DB11 GT car. Delivering 715bhp and 900Nm torque, and going on to a top speed of 211mph, there is plenty of power on tap for even the maddest of drivers. These days, a simple ECU-tune was all that was needed to achieve such performance increases, whilst a stronger 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox prevents the beast from throwing its toys out of the pram when it’s asked to convert power into traction.

Similarly, a mechanical limited-slip-differential with advanced torque vectoring facilitates the carefully-managed distribution of torque along the rear axle, providing greater confidence-inspiring agility around tricky corners or complex bends. There are, after all, otherworldly reserves of power under your right foot – although you can’t be off your guard, the system does a tremendous job of keeping everything neat and tidy. Unshackled, and without this tech, you’d most likely be thrown into the nearest hedgerow, but with it, you’ll be forgiven for putting your foot down once in a while.

Moreover, a freshly-developed 3-stage Skyhook adaptive damping system alongside a carefully-matched 3-stage powertrain setting allows for the ideal balance of comfort, handling, and power delivery depending on what mood you’re in. GT calms things down, whilst Sport mode offers a more playful chassis and a more evocative exhaust note, with Track mode slackening off the traction and stability control to give you the ultimate driver-control. But be warned, venturing into this setting will be so frightening that you’d have wished you hadn’t. Sport is the sweet spot.

So, then, is the DBS the “Brute in a Suit” that Aston’s marketing department claim it to be? In short, yes, they’ve hit the nail on the head. If you go to a Michelin-starred restaurant you expect the basics: superb service, epic flavours, and a comfortable, luxurious setting. But, most importantly, you want flair. You want different, exotic, complex courses that excite your palette and make you want to keep eating. And that’s what the DBS delivers – an intriguing, beguiling, addictive dish that you want to keep sampling again, and again, and again…

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