ASTON MARTIN DBS SUPERLEGGERA VOLANTE

James Bond 007 has a new convertible and it’s his fastest ever. The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante, is one of the most attention-getting vehicles Napleton.news has ever driven. And not just for the obvious reasons. It is unmistakeably one of the most beautiful cars on the road. The ultimate Grand Tourer, the Superleggera (Superlight in Italian) Volante (AM speak for Convertible), is stunning to look at from nearly every angle.

This British-built ragtop is a 2+2 sport grand touring machine that truthfully has room for two and a few shopping bags. It has a gorgeous throat that makes a glorious murmur when you push the starter button. In fact, it sounds as though you are using a small VW engine to turn over the larger V12 engine nestled under the Superleggera’s carbon fiber clamshell, er, bonnet. At the rear, it has a lip spoiler that, when combined with all the other aero around the vehicle, can add approximately 400 lbs of downforce to keep this British touring car well-planted.  Oh, and then there’s the California license plate.

BUSY BODIES EVERYWHERE

As we are writing this, we find ourselves at the beginning of April, along with most of the country (including Florida) ordered into lock-down mode because of the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic that is circulating the globe. When it is over is anyone’s guess, but to say it has been an inconvenience is a mere understatement.

So we are having a case of cabin fever, except with great temperatures and sunny skies. Our neighbors are minding their distances, and have been reasonably active, walking around in this area near Napleton Auto Group’s Southeastern headquarters.

We usually receive one vehicle a week to review for these online pages. As mentioned above, the Aston Martin DBS is sporting a California tag. Another vehicle in our drive features a plate from Georgia. Both reflect the states where each vehicle is titled. So imagine the ruckus that ensued when local busy-bodies spied two out-of-state license plates in our drive. We heard comments like, “Well, it’s clear they are doing their part to maintain a social distance from the rest of us,” or “despite the orders, these people (referring to us) have relatives bringing their germs in from out of state.”

We finally set them straight.

HOW LIGHT IS SUPERLIGHT WITH ASTON MARTIN?

Our Superleggera officially weighs in at 1863 kg. That’s just slightly above 4,100 pounds. In the grand scheme of things, that’s not too light, considering there are Paganis, McLarens and Porsches that weigh substantially less than this Aston. But does that make the DBS a lesser car as a result? Absolutely not. The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is motivated by a 5.2-liter Biturbo (twin-turbocharged) V12 that embodies the concept of full force. Think of it as a pair of Doc Martens boots smacking you squarely in the chest while accelerating. For example, 0-60 mph will come on in 3.4 seconds. Fifty to 100 mph comes in 4.2 seconds and the DBS finally taps out at 211 mph. That sounds pretty lightweight to us. With a nod towards a sense of conservatism, this V12 also offers cylinder deactivation and auto start/stop.

The DBS harnesses all that power through a rear-mounted ZF 8-speed automatic transmission with magnesium steering wheel-mounted paddle shift levers. These allow the gearbox to be run as a manual system, complete with pops and gurgles while the car is in Sport and Sport+ drive modes. As most of the driver safety applications switch off when in the Sport+ mode, let the buyer beware. Power is sent to the rear axle via an alloy torque tube with a carbon-fiber propshaft.

Brakes are carbon-ceramic in composition, which immediately lets you know they work when you want them to. In addition to the brakes, the Aston Martin is complete with Hydraulic Brake Assist, Traction Control, Positive Torque Control and Dynamic Torque Vectoring to help shorten the radius of any turns you may encounter flat out.

ASTON MARTIN INTERIOR REFINEMENT

The DBS Superleggera features a new level of interior refinement that has been missing from Astons of the past. Craftsmanship is prevalent throughout, from the performance-oriented steering wheel to the 8-inch central display screen and the electronically sliding center console storage bin.

The seating is top shelf from the adjustability they offer to the ability to grip you and keep you firmly in place. Cooling and heating functions keep you in the manner to which you have become accustomed. The attractive part of the new Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante is how refined it is now, thanks to controls and software from its minority stake owner, Daimler Benz. Design engineers at A-M were smart enough to pick through the all-stars of the Mercedes parts bins. We’d say they got the best of the bunch.

BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE ASTON MARTIN DBS SUPERLEGGERA

We climb inside by doors that slightly rise to meet us. Not full gullwing style like on a 300 SL Mercedes but just enough to make you realize this is a special roadster. Completely different from the rest. Buckle in and hit the starter button located in the central console. A small electric motor turns over, yielding to a rumble coming from the twin pairs of exhaust pipes emerging from the rear diffuser. Back out, absent the sound of any cowl creak present in lesser convertibles, hit the drive button and we are on our way.

The A-M’s steering is agile enough to make us think we are driving a rather large Luxo-barge rather than a 2+2 sports touring roadster. Acceleration is slow and steady until you punch it. The rearward window view reminds us of a letter slot in our grandmother’s front door, but the reality is, there isn’t anything worthwhile to see behind you. Instead, keep your eyes on the road ahead.

Cruising topless through South Florida is a task that is better suited to nighttime drives. It’s just too hot outside. But even with the roof in its upright and locked position, it is well insulated and offered a chance to let us use our “inside voices.” We did wait, however, until it was cool in the evening before dropping the Aston’s top.

At that point, it was time to feel the wind in our hair. Squeezing the accelerator unleashed a band of demons that, while not quite like the piercing noise from Charlie Daniel’s fiddle, sounded “other-worldly” just the same. The sound of 715 horses and 663 lb-ft of torque will do that to you.

GET YOURS

It was around that moment that we felt totally one with this car. It’s just too bad that we will have to give it back in a day or so. While we must return our sampler, you can get your own at Aston Martin of Downers Grove.