Equipped with a 725PS, 900Nm V12

The new "DBS Superleggera" is the successor to the "Vanquish S," a highly successful flagship model from Aston Martin. This marks the revival of two names with glorious traditions.

First, "DBS" is the name of an iconic model first used by Aston Martin in 1967, while "Superleggera" is an homage to the innovative lightweight bodywork pioneered by Italian coachbuilder Touring.

Patrick Nilsson, Aston Martin's Asia Pacific President, took the stage before the pristine white DBS Superleggera unveiled to the press that day.

"Aston Martin is the oldest luxury car company in Britain, founded in 1913. In our 105-year history, we have produced 90,000 cars. While a mass-production company might produce that many in just a week, what's remarkable is that 95 percent of them are still on the road today. Our mission is to build the most beautiful cars in the world," he introduced the company.

He further endorsed the new model, stating, "As you know, the DBS Superleggera is a name that signifies the ultimate super GT. To live up to that title, we have raised the bar for performance and design, incorporating the essence of heritage and lightweight construction. This car will never disappoint you."

Next, Shoichi Terajima, Managing Director of Aston Martin Japan, explained the vehicle's specifications. Comparing the car to a Batman movie, he said, "If Bruce Wayne, the actor playing Batman, is a cool and intelligent gentleman before his transformation, and his car is the DB11, then the new DBS is Batman himself after the transformation. It's a ferocious GT, a car that expresses the world of dark art. It is characterized by the highest levels of performance, craftsmanship, and design, and was developed as the pinnacle of our sports car series."

0-100km/h in Just 3.4 Seconds

The Aston Martin-made 5.2-liter V12 twin-turbo engine, mounted in the front-mid position, delivers a maximum output of 725ps and peak torque of 900Nm. This immense torque is said to exceed that of the Ferrari 812 Superfast by 25 percent. Consequently, the top speed is approximately 340 km/h. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and from 0 to 160 km/h in 6.4 seconds. Furthermore, in terms of intermediate acceleration, it achieves an astonishing 4.2 seconds for 80-160 km/h in fourth gear.

The transmission is a ZF 8-speed automatic located at the rear, which, with DBS-specific software, selects the optimal gear for any driving condition, allowing the driver to control the car at will. Additionally, the new exhaust system with quad tailpipes promises an aggressive exhaust note.

The exterior, measuring 4,712mm in length, 1,968mm in width, and 1,280mm in height, further evolves the aerodynamic concepts of 'Carré' and 'Aeroblade' debuted with the DB11, incorporating an F1-inspired double diffuser for an aggressive, athletic stance. Enhanced aerodynamics result in a maximum downforce of 180kg. The large front grille, a signature Aston Martin feature, is inspired by the honeycomb shape, the most common form in nature.

The body utilizes a bonded aluminum underframe and extensively incorporates carbon fiber panels for exterior components such as the bonnet, resulting in a structure that offers a modern interpretation of the Superleggera concept. This achieves a dry weight of 1,693kg, a remarkable 72kg lighter than the DB11. This weight reduction is also attributed to the dedicated wheels (6kg for all four) and Pirelli-specific tires (23kg for all four).

The interior features an ergonomic design for clear and intuitive operation. This includes the highly supportive and comfortable Sports Plus seats for long journeys, the Sports Plus steering wheel with fixed full-length paddle shifters, and the familiar P/R/N/D buttons arranged on the upper center console.

A Conversation with Patrick Nilsson About Aston Martin and Japan

The price of the DBS Superleggera in Japan is 34.5 million yen. Sales are expected to begin just before the end of the year (according to Mr. Nilsson). We spoke with Mr. Nilsson after the press conference.

When asked about the differences between Aston Martin and his previous employers, Porsche, Koenigsegg, and McLaren, he cited three points: "First, the heritage of over 100 years is different. Second, it's very enjoyable to work with CEO Andy Palmer. Third, Aston places great importance on feedback from the regions to headquarters, rather than from headquarters to the regions."

"Japan, in particular, is our number one market in terms of sales growth and is the country with the second-largest number of affluent individuals in the world, making it extremely important to us." As a specific example of this feedback, he shared, "Regarding the new SUV (DBX) that will debut soon, we initially planned to create a compact model, but we received strong requests from Japan that SUVs need to have ample space, and we are incorporating that feedback into its development."

He also mentioned that Japanese concepts such as "omotenashi" (hospitality), along with terms like "kaizen" (improvement) and "hoshin kanri" (policy management), are frequently used within the company, and "we are learning them like students." He added that these are universally applicable tools and highly effective methods.

Regarding Aston Martin cars themselves, he said, "Not a single person I know speaks ill of them. You wouldn't find this level of satisfaction with other car manufacturers. In Japan, you could choose a Vantage for a drive on the Turnpike or a DB11 for a trip to Hokkaido, depending on your destination. Ideally, one would own about four cars," he said with a smile.

He concluded, "The brand center in Japan, the second established in the world (Aston Martin Tokyo), is ten times larger than the one in London. This is proof of our commitment to Japan. (In Japanese) Yoroshiku onegaishimasu."