2018 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera revealed as Ferrari 812 competitor

Also new is a quad exhaust system, which has been tuned to produce a “more expressive” noise, according to chief engineer Matt Becker. That makes it 10db louder than the DB11. Becker added: “We don’t just want more noise, we want quality noise.”

The bodywork features a front splitter, extensive underbody aerodynamics, a rear diffuser and a new Aeroblade 2 rear wing, generating 60kg of downforce at the front of the car and 120kg at the rear. The 180kg total downforce is the most of any road-going Aston Martin, yet the DBS produces the same drag as the DB11, which makes just 70kg of downforce.

The DBS Superleggera has a dry weight of 1693kg. It sits on bespoke Pirelli P Zero tyres, with 21in wheels.

Despite those figures, Becker said the car has been designed to combine comfort and performance. “We wanted to develop something that’s incredibly fast but feels Vantage-like in its size and response,” he said.

“The performance figures might look scary —and this car is incredibly quick — but you don’t have to be a hero to get the most out of it performance-wise.”

Becker said extensive tuning work has been done on the ESP and traction control to cope with the torque and how quickly it builds up. He added: “It has a playful nature. If you slide the car and know how to drive, it gives you all the information you need to make the right decision about when to put your foot on or off the throttle.”

Aston Martin is targeting existing Vanquish customers as well as Ferrari buyers who want “something that is as quick but less intimidating”, according to Nurnberger. The DBS Superleggera follows the DB11 and Vantage as the third product in the firm’s ‘second century’ plan to launch seven models in seven years, and Nurnberger said that broadening the product range will enable Aston Martin to push for customers who aren’t part of its existing base.

The DBS Superleggera is due to go on sale later this year in coupé form, with pricing starting from £225,000. A Volante version, which has already been spied testing, is set to arrive in early 2019.

Transmission:

Not only does DBS have a brand-new gearbox, necessary to handle the monstrous 664lb ft peak torque, it also comes with a lowered final drive ratio for even more punchy in-gear performance. It carries the same 2.9:1 ratio as the Vantage, reduced from 2.7:1 of the DB11.

Performance:

The DBS has a 0-62mph time of 3.4sec, a 0-100mph time of 6.4sec and a 0-124mph (200km/h) time of less than 9sec. All these figures are traction-limited. In-gear times, which don’t depend on longitudinal grip, suggest performance close to the Ferrari 812 Superfast.

Engine: 

The V12 engine produces 715bhp in its latest state of tune, but don’t presume it’s just a matter of time before it makes it into the Vantage. “Anything’s possible and the engine fits — just,” says Aston’s Matt Becker, “but it takes a hell of a lot of cooling and there’s just not the space for that in the Vantage as it is.”

Wheels and tyres:

The car comes on bespoke Pirelli P Zeroes that look the same as those fitted to the Vantage but are in fact of completely different compounds and constructions, and are filled with PNCS noise- cancelling material. Wheel rims are 21in in diameter and come with a choice of forged alloys: one standard, one lightweight.

Aerodynamics:

The Aeroblade II rear wing, venturi under the car, the front splitter and the double diffuser at the back all combine to create 60kg of downforce at the front and 120kg at the rear. By comparison, the DB11 has 50kg of front lift and 20kg of rear downforce.