Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

The case for the DBS Superleggera

The DBS Superleggera took the DB11's platform and turned everything up: 715 bhp from a revised 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12, aggressive aerodynamic bodywork, and chassis tuning to match. The result is one of the fastest front-engined GTs ever built, with 0-62 mph in 3.4 seconds and a 211 mph top speed.

What makes the DBS special is that it remains a usable GT: comfortable, refined at a cruise and genuinely long-legged. It is a DB11 that has been to the gym, and for many buyers it is the more charismatic car. Used values have now fallen well below the original £225,000-plus list price.

What it costs to run

This is a 715 bhp flagship, so costs are significant. Annual specialist servicing runs £1,200 to £2,000. Carbon-ceramic brakes are standard and extremely expensive to replace when worn, though they last well in road use. Tyres are substantial items. Fuel economy is 15 to 20 mpg. Insurance is premium.

The V12 has proved robust, and the car shares its fundamental structure and electronics with the DB11, which helps. But everything is priced at flagship level.

Known weak points

The DBS shares the DB11's electrical and infotainment quirks, now dated. Check that all software updates have been applied. The carbon-ceramic brakes should be inspected for disc condition; replacement is a five-figure job. Body panels include extensive carbon-fibre, which is expensive to repair. Front splitter and underbody scrapes are common on a low car. Battery condition and storage practices matter, as with all modern Astons.

What to check before buying

Full Aston Martin history is essential. Inspect the carbon bodywork and splitter carefully, check the carbon-ceramic discs for wear and damage, and verify all electrical systems. Confirm recall and campaign completion. Check tyre age and condition, and look for evidence of hard use. A specialist inspection is strongly recommended, with particular attention to the brakes and carbon panels.

Market and depreciation

DBS Superleggera values have fallen substantially, with early coupes now available from around £130,000 to £160,000 against original list prices well above £225,000. Depreciation has been steep but is likely slowing as the car approaches modern-classic status. The Volante carries a premium. This is currently a lot of performance for the money in the context of the original price.

Who it suits

The buyer who wants one of the fastest and most dramatic front-engined GTs ever made and can budget for flagship running costs. It is more usable than its performance suggests, but it is not a cheap car to own.

Alternatives

Ferrari 812 Superfast, Bentley Continental GT Speed, McLaren 720S, or a DB11 AMR at much lower cost.

The DBS Superleggera, launched in 2018, sits at the top of the DB11-derived range with 715hp from its uprated twin-turbo V12, extensive carbon-fibre bodywork and standard carbon-ceramic brakes. The torque figure, 664lb ft, demanded careful traction management, and the car delivers its pace with an effortlessness that borders on surreal for a front-engined grand tourer. Aerodynamic additions, including the F1-inspired double-diffuser arrangement, are functional rather than decorative.

Despite the supercar numbers, the DBS remains usable: the ride is firm but controlled, the cabin is well trimmed, and the boot will take luggage for a weekend away. It is a car that can credibly play both continent-crosser and back-road entertainer, which is exactly its intended role. The carbon-ceramic brakes provide enormous stopping power but inspect discs carefully, as replacement is a very significant expense.

Running costs reflect the flagship status: tyres, insurance and servicing all sit at the upper end of the Aston range. Check for evidence of hard use, particularly clutch-smoothed launches and track days, and verify the carbon bodywork has not suffered stone or parking damage. Values have followed the expected luxury-flagship depreciation curve, making early cars increasingly tempting; a well-documented 2018 or 2019 car with a clean file represents the value point.

The aerodynamic work is a significant part of the DBS package: the F1-derived double diffuser, the carbon-fibre body panels and the careful management of airflow all contribute to genuine high-speed stability. This is a car designed to cover ground at serious pace with complete composure, and it delivers that capability with remarkable refinement.

Against rivals such as the Ferrari 812 Superfast, the DBS offers a distinctly British take on the front-engined super-GT formula: less frenetic than the Ferrari, more relaxed in its delivery, but with comparable real-world pace and a character all its own. Depreciation has followed the expected pattern for a flagship, and early cars now offer tremendous value for the performance on offer. The buying priorities remain documentation, carbon bodywork condition and evidence of careful use. A well-maintained DBS Superleggera is one of the most capable and charismatic grand tourers of its era.

Model-year updates were incremental, with detail refinements rather than major changes. The key inspection priorities are the carbon-ceramic brakes, the carbon bodywork and the service history. Verify the car has been maintained by a dealer or recognised specialist, and check for evidence of track use. The DBS Superleggera's values have followed the expected depreciation curve, making early cars increasingly attractive. For the buyer seeking Aston Martin's flagship performance in a usable grand touring package, the DBS Superleggera delivers in full.

How this review was compiled

Research-based ownership review using Aston Martin specifications, independent buying guides and owner reports. We have not driven this car. Verify condition, service history and brake condition for any individual car before purchase.