The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera occupies an interesting position in the British brand’s lineup: it sits above the DB11 as the more powerful, more extreme grand tourer, but lacks the track-focused brief of the Vantage. The DBS is, in the Aston Martin tradition, the car that combines maximum grand touring refinement with genuine supercar performance credentials.
Superleggera – The Name
Superleggera means “super light” in Italian – a reference to the coachbuilding technique developed by Carrozzeria Touring in the 1950s and 1960s, which used lightweight tubular frames covered in thin alloy panels to achieve exceptional rigidity with minimal weight. Aston Martin has licensed the Superleggera name for its DBS since 2018, acknowledging the car’s commitment to keeping weight manageable despite its substantial equipment.
The Engine
The DBS Superleggera uses Aston Martin’s 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12, producing 533 kW (725 hp) and 900 Nm of torque. This is the most powerful version of Aston’s V12 road car engine, and it gives the DBS a character that the AMG-sourced V8 (available in the DB11 and Vantage) cannot replicate.
The V12 sound is extraordinary. At full throttle, the DBS produces a layered, multi-octave sound that is deeper and more complex than the V8 variants. It is the sound of a large-displacement naturally turbocharged V12 being asked to work, and it rewards those who seek out the upper portion of the rev range.
Performance
The 0-100 km/h time is 3.4 seconds. Top speed is 340 km/h. For a 1,843 kg grand tourer, these figures are impressive – and on the road, the DBS Superleggera feels noticeably more muscular than the DB11 V12. The additional power is immediately accessible from 2,500 rpm and the car pulls with a consistency that makes motorway driving effortless.
Australian Pricing
The DBS Superleggera was priced at approximately $470,000 to $520,000 new in Australia before options. LCT adds approximately $126,000 to $143,000. Total on-road costs for a standard car regularly exceeded $600,000.
On the used market in 2026, clean DBS Superleggeras with under 20,000 km are trading from approximately $320,000 to $420,000 – representing good value relative to new pricing.
Volante and Coupe
The DBS is available in Coupe and Volante (convertible) form. The Volante uses a cloth soft-top that folds elegantly and provides better acoustic insulation than many comparable convertibles. The Volante commands a premium of approximately $30,000 to $50,000 over the coupe in Australian pricing.
Who It Is For
The DBS Superleggera suits buyers who want maximum grand touring performance with Aston’s most powerful road engine. It is not the driver’s car the Vantage is – the focus is on comfort, refinement, and muscular performance rather than precise dynamics and driver feedback. For long journeys at speed, it is the most capable Aston Martin available.
Verdict
The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is the grand tourer with supercar credentials. The V12 engine is the definitive Aston Martin experience, and in this car it is in its most accessible and most comfortable packaging. For buyers who want performance, exclusivity, and the prestige of Britain’s most storied sports car brand, the DBS Superleggera makes a compelling case.
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