Aston Martin DBS Superleggera road test review. The ultimate Aston V12

2018 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is the latest ultimate Aston DB11. With a twin turbo V12, performance is astonishing. To find out more, watch this full road test review.
This video was created with the support of:
www.footmanjames.co.uk/
www.classicandsportsfinance.com/
Follow me on Twitter @harrym_vids & @harrysgaragevids on Instagram

[@williambennett6466]

I didn’t realise straight away that ‘Harry’ was Harry Metcalfe, founder of EVO Magazine. Man is a legend...

[@Wall1885]

Best car channel on KZbin

[@bnevillewood]

Sparky 1 underrated imo

[@davidfarmer2049]

Correction best channel on youtube.

[@marcushogan6613]

Even with the basking shark grille this car is just stunning. Thank you Harry for putting out quality content for real petrolheads.

[@steve-wu7jp]

I love how Harry does longer videos than most car/bike channels, it really allows him to dive into detail about his experiences with the cars/bikes. Harry you blow Top Gear out of the water

[@kznjonno602]

Love you Harry,no messing about with all the details like US reviews,out on the road at 7 minutes. Keep up these tasty reviews.

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Wow that start-up! And the sound at 13:15! Such an amazing sound, especially considering it's turbocharged. Great review Harry, your videos are always some of my favorites!

[@murraygolding8471]

I follow a lot of review sites here Harry's are the most informative

[@johnnyboy1586]

Yes can't understand when people complain that turbo car don't sound good when car makers can make then sound just as good as n/a engine eg.... F40 , Audi quotro, merc agm ,and this Aston

[@ricemagician]

I really like the way he talks. Very calm and not exited even though he is excited.

[@ivanlazarevic78]

Interior of this Aston is big let down in othevise great looking car.

[@dragospahontu]

I'd have a Hellcat

[@ronoccc]

agreed. very unimaginative and dare i say a bit cheap looking. that screen being there like all the time is crap too. astons used to have amazing interiors and like harry said doesn't come anywhere near the bentley

[@johnnyboy1586]

That's what most reviewers say,

[@johnnyboy1586]

@@dragospahontu two totally different cars for different types of people

[@i4details]

@@johnnyboy1586 xxxs

[@wrathgar11]

Harry's Garage and Carfection. The only valid reasons for a KZbin premium account.

[@Alanc419]

Leave it to Mr. Harry to delight us with a wonderful Aston Martin review, and just in time for the Christmas holiday! Thank you Sir!!

[@eoinosullivan5450]

Stevie Wonder did a lovely job designing the steering wheel, even more impressive when his brief entailed making sure that it had to look like it cost less that £20.00

[@andrewmoorhouse687]

Thanks Harry for some great videos this year. Looking forward to next year’s content. In the meantime, I wish you and yours a very merry Christmas 🎄 and a happy new year 🎅🏻🚗🍻

[@LordYoda]

Harry your reviews are so real world & spot on, far better than some of those younger KZbinrs. I had a DB11 and the grabby brakes & loss of traction due to turbo & 2WD ended up with me getting back into a Bentley Conti. Before the DB11 I tried the Ferrari Cali T & sad to say but that didn’t last long either. Harry you rock!

[@121mcvUK]

Its taken me a while Harry, but I have to say that I enjoy this channel more than any other car channel, I do hope you keep reviewing for many years to come :)

[@garylow7167]

Absolutely fantastic video loved every minute! Being a big fan of the Aston Martin gorgeous isn't it many thanks for sharing with us all sir

[@jonholmzee1]

Great review Harry. Honest and intelligent. You are not scared to say what you really think about these mega expensive supercars, which most You Tube reviewer’s are (probably with a fear that they won’t get access to more Aston’s etc). The only problem I have with you is you don’t post enough videos. Keep it up.

[@huskvarsm]

Great test Harry I’m very glad to see you like Aston martins “my all time favourite” as usual great content keep them coming chap.

[@daveglover6115]

Thanks Harry, another great one. Those rear seats should come out, that should lose some weight! Personally I think all the modern supercar interiors are a bit of a mess - too many techno buttons to fiddle with and clutter in limited ergonomic space, many actually useless to the average appreciative buyer.

[@seinsmeld13]

Thank you Harry, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Cheers from a Canadian fan.

[@ToreHansen]

Always a joy to watch the videoes, have a great holiday!

[@johncollymore1697]

Just such good videos from Harry - many many thanks.

[@BrutalTurtle]

Great video. Thanks Harry, keep em' coming.

[@toysandgameswithesmeeandis4096]

Incredible video as always Harry. Always look forward to new content from you. By far the best on KZbin. Should be on Top Gear not those clowns.

[@rumblebelly7429]

Fully agreed.

[@PlanetautoUK]

What a machine, and it’s not just that car, the backdrop is breathtaking, Countach, Abarth yet another great video.

[@cmacd8879]

Well done review; Harry's concerns about torque and traction as he ends the video, is of course the main reason Porsche has always made their Turbo (the real one) AWD - even with the assistance of the 911 weight distribution on traction, the driven front wheels and some trick diffs etc. really do allow most of the torque to be used in most conditions. My guess is that the Aston was never designed to allow AWD, or it is just not in their heritage to do so. Either way, I think Harry's conclusions really do highlight the limitations of these high power RWD cars in real daily use.

[@fuelledfunny]

An exceptional bit of kit. Quiet start is a genius move, because the theatre and drama of firing up previous generation Astons isn't always shared by neighbours (in my experience...who wouldn't appreciate a de-catted Vanquish at 6am, I know one person who didn't). Things move on though, and there's now a flagship that doesn't get shown a clean pair of heels by its rivals, such is the improvement in chassis dynamics on the new cars. Keep up the good work, Harry - and Merry Christmas. For a turbocharged V12, nothing sounds as good - people might complain it doesn't sound as good an 812SF; turbos will do that, but Aston did a stunning job to mask its forced induction origins.

[@voiceofreason5893]

Thoughtful, detailed and informative review. Thanks for posting. Subscribed.

[@freeyourmind8849]

love your review. this guy goes in depth

[@glesgamail]

Tell it like it is Harry. Another great film. Have a great Christmas and New Year.

[@user-xd6tc5kf7f]

Great review Harry, beautiful car! Also, nice looking Panerai on your your wrist. 👍🏻

[@helicocktor]

When the V12 starts up, closed caption says [Music]

[@cylo5770]

It should be "Music to the ears" - Performed by AMR Symphonic Twin-Turbo Orchestra :)

[@dragospahontu]

@@cylo5770 I'd have a Hellcat instead

[@TheBS80]

I owned a 2006 Vanquish S from 2012 to 2018. What I loved about the looks of the car was its "Britishness" - trying to explain from my "German petrolhead" view, the old Vanquish was a beautiful GT, masculine but understated, with a hint of weirdness. ;-) These new Astons suffer from a huge lack of elegance. Flashy as a Ferrari, but still miles behind when it comes to technology. Wish they would build some elegant British GT cars again.

[@tt55k]

I am in love with the One 77 , and the drive you did in the frosty green one .

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

It's worth investing in a late 90s/2000 handbuilt Aston Martin Vantage 550/v600 in Royal Blue with Parchment hide! A beauty!

[@danielmaia3559]

These tech partnerships are tough, Mercedes is putting the old infotainment system on their new models, some got the new touchpad other did not. Aston got the old. The thing about tech is that it evolves too fast and makes the car look dated, I like what Rolls and Bentley are doing by hiding their infotainment system from the dashboard and wish Aston did it too because as cars get even more loaded with tech they will tend too look old faster than ever

[@waterfordrs22]

I completely agree with your take on how tech laden interiors age. I typically like Aston Martin's interiors, this is a bit of a letdown.

[@peterpluim7912]

Daniel Maia Could not agree more.

[@randomsurfer3963]

The fact the exterior is so stunning, raises expectations for the interior and it doesn't live up to it. That carbon fibre flake interior trim is an acquired taste, I'd rather see a normal weave.

[@DenGuleBalje]

I thought Mercedes was supposed to partner with Nvidia and have a massive ultrawide screen up front run bu an Nvidia SoC. Maybe it was just rumors

[@TheScudabear1]

Yeah, i agree, there's something timeless about analogue dials and gauges...

[@tuningemporium]

best looking car ive seen for a very long time!! looks ace, sounds ace, drives ace!! great video again :)

[@mojomumshusband6378]

Great video. Loved the DB11 one and this is as good. Practical and objective.

[@Kingdonnerkebab]

Stunning looking and sounding but that interior..... its hideous! Looks cheap and the steering wheel is horrible looking. Luckily I will never be able to afford one to ever have the problem of sitting in the drivers seat looking at it. Great vid as usual Harry 👍

[@mrmoss149]

Brilliant insight, as always Harry. Thanks. Cheers!

[@GeneralmoffblogsBlogspotmoffvs]

Fantastic video Harry! One thing I would say that I think you’ve missed, is that since the DBS has a slightly higher roofline than the previous gen Vanquish it means I can now sit in the back in relative comfort - I don’t think I would want to travel any longer than an hour though, at most! I am 5ft 7 and it was actually not that bad at all in the back; it is noticeably improved over the previous gen DB9 or Vanquish. - been out for a test drive and currently have the Vanquish if you’re wondering why

[@twbtl2372]

Great video as always Harry

[@damientaylor1]

Another quality Harry's Garage road trip. Dunes, mountains, water, mud, camels, sheep & goats plus the friendly locals and scenes from films including James Bond's, Spectre! My favourite scene was where they filled up in the Atlas mountains. Guided to the 'petrol station' by a man on a moped wearing a 'stripey nightshirt' who smoked his cigarette whilst the Tenere was being filled up 😂

[@sideshowbob32]

Love the exterior styling, the interior is a bit disappointing at this price point. How do Aston make a turbo unit sound so good?

[@nickmageebrown1981]

It's a Mercedes Unit.

[@sideshowbob32]

@@nickmageebrown1981 I thought it was just the V8 unit that was from Merc? I'm sure the V12 Merc units are only 3 valves per cylinder and sohc, and the V12 in the Aston is a much more modern unit, I could be wrong though

[@8Hshan]

@@sideshowbob32 Very late reply, but... yeah, the V12 is an all Aston unit - 4v DOHC and direct injection, while Mercedes only has their antique 3v ones with MPFI. Only the V8 is from Mercedes and that V8 is also very modern.

[@justicewarrior9187]

Harry is the class that KZbin needed but not deserved

[@gunton21]

As always Harry great review. 👍

[@colderwar]

It's nice to see they are keeping the tradition of the engine builder getting his name on a plaque. I rebuilt a Tadek Marek classic Aston V-8 and carbs once ( free labour, it was for a friend ) and he had a second plaque made with my name on it to go next to the original builders. That was a really nice gesture I thought.

[@theshowman8478]

Sorry officer, it's not me, its the engine ! LOL. Lovely looking and sounding car. Nice to see one in that colour too.

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

9:24

[@brcc508]

My friend picked his up from Aston in Bristol and when he took me for a spin in it I was blown away by the fact it had the stop start feature. A V12 with stop start technology 🤯😂

[@johntechwriter]

Stop/Start is a huge liability. How did the engineers of my Mazda MX-5 get away without having to incorporate it when owners of this car, which cost ten times as much, are stuck with the engine expiring at every red light?

[@itzajdmting]

Loved that start up sequence.

[@aukanmeister]

Oh my word, what sound! Love it:)

[@boogboog8097]

Saw one of these today, amazing presence video does not do it justice.

[@banjopete]

The bonnet and the boot! Good on you Harry, not a trunk in sight.

[@SavedbyHim]

An elephant has a trunk :)

[@rexsolomon6325]

Harry puts all other car reviewers to shame. The Master of the Art.

[@AndHaunted]

This guy's passion for cars is endearing. I could listen to him talk about cars for days. He seems like he would be awesome to have a few pints with.

[@goodboybuddy1]

Thanks for your honesty, Harry.

[@yellcris2863]

Merry Xmas Harry. Good lad.

[@davidschultz6346]

One of the best sounding modern V12 engines money can buy

[@nmajer4152]

Another classic video just in time for Christmas. If only I had the money, it has been a vintage year for classic GTs. DBS, continental and 812. Be a difficult choice which one.

[@joetacchino4470]

Great review as usual Harry! The first time you used the indicator I thought “that sound very odd” and then you said the same. To me, it almost sounds like a video game version of a heartbeat. Strange. How does it ride on the pegs? 😉

[@MegaTomcat27]

I'd buy this for that v12 engine sound, and simply because its an Aston

[@foesfly3047]

The whole front end of this car is gorgeous, as is the hood. I can't imagine improving any of the lines, shaping or proportions.

[@nickb-]

Great review. So refreshing to hear a warts-and-all "7 out of 10" summary instead of the usual fanboy stuff on KZbin.

[@mrmoss149]

"It does sound pretty epic- but then the cost is pretty epic"...LMAO

[@mubblemann]

Lovely review, thanks Harry. Have to agree about the interior versus the Conti GT. There's no excuse for that stuck on plastic screen in a £250k car. The Bentley interior is pretty much the benchmark for a performance GT. That exterior and engine are wonderful though.

[@peterpluim7912]

Christmas comes early. Thank you, Sir.

[@guymachiels6583]

Thanks for a very HONEST review!

[@LorenzoCalgaryRealtor]

I enjoyed his videos where he went in to further detail about the car before the drive, because he's SO knowledgeable. I miss that

[@joe5boost]

great video keep up the good work

[@edwinthompson159]

Honest review. Well done.

[@Schlock3000]

There might come a day when Aston Martin hires an interior designer to get rid of the 1999 Hyundai design. But it is not this day.

[@BobbyDazzler888]

no money for switches

[@richard8342]

The smile on Harry's face tells it all !

[@gigiwilson9124]

Wow Harry your so fortune to have such a garage, I'd be like aaaahhh every morning just walking through just looking at such a wonderful collection of motor cars modern, and historic so many I remember from my youth. My father was a jaguar man except on two occasions once 73 /74 I think Rolls Royce silver shadow two tone navy blue and silver and then the rover 3500 5 door between 80 -82 you'll have to forgive my recollection of things since my illness last year, I just love and I bet you the garage and the cars have got that smell that aroma can't describe it but I'll bet you know what I mean anyhoo thanx for the entertaining and informative videos thanx

[@michaelsternberg1274]

Warm Congratulations to Harry for a detailed, expert and fair-minded review. Aston Martin showed this car at Henley Regatta last summer. I sat in it. You had to adjust the driver’s seat to an extreme position to get any sense of where the bonnet ended and the corners were actually situated. Even then it was not completely satisfactory. The gentle rebukes which Harry gives to AM at the end of this video sound entirely convincing. AM should employ him as a consultant to help them with ironing out faults, which they can surely fix at once!

[@stubones]

Great video Harry. I was reading a letter in the new EVO, written by an engineer if I recall correctly. He kind of lambasted manufacturers who make downforce claims based on max speed. This car in particular, he said, only makes 80kgs(I may recall incorrectly as I don’t have the magazine to hand) of downforce at 100mph which is a more realistic speed to measure downforce at. Sadly, despite its massive power figure this car is out accelerated by an AMG GTR, which I found rather bemusing.

[@adampetten5349]

Lift is relatively small at 100 mph. Credible testers like Car and Driver, Autobild and Road & Track won't have this slower than GT R. TG Got a 0-100 mph of 8.5 for DB11 but Car and Driver got 7.8 seconds . Strangely Top Gear got the fastest 0-100 mph(0-162 kph) of 6.8 seconds of any outfit for the AMG GT R but got an atrocious 11.3 seconds for Mustang GT vs 10 seconds for most testers. Evo gets slightly slower times across the board.

[@lgriestra]

Great video. Very objective, as always.

[@jakeroadtonowhere4070]

I just realised I miss one of harry,s videos.,wow I must have been on a different planet

[@marcrajal7769]

Harry’s history of testing top end Astons in the winter at two degrees 😂 #one77

[@tomriley5790]

Another lovely video from Harry, would have been lovely to have seen a summer european trip in an Aston (hint!) it's interesting that this car has so much more power than Jag's f-type, which I've always regarded as the "poor" (okay less rich!) man's version of an Aston (less true now - more from when Ford owned both of them) when that car had AWD, it would have been interesting to hear the thoughts compared with the 812 too, I don't remember harry having the same torque/traction control concerns on his Spanish trip in that car - perhaps it was dry Spanish high altitude motoring compared with humid cold british winter (and winter tires!) still something beautfiul about an Aston barreling down a country road!

[@Tracertme]

I have been waiting for this one,,,, Harry in the DBS, the carbon brakes you do adjust to eventually, but they can snatch a little initially until you learn to drive / brake round them, it does make you think twice when braking hard, anybody behind you will be up your rump... the sound for a turbo car is really good. What is that massive interior mirror, not exactly elegant trimmings then there is a big box on the windscreen to the left of it....

[@marcuscopley6929]

Not surprised it weighs so much it’s got an interior from the Flintstones. My money, if I had any would be heading to Bentley. Excellent review sad that AM don’t have the best looking GT anymore.

[@adrianfowles7250]

Have to agree with your views on the interior. I remember when I saw the DB11 for the first time: I had just flow back from Germany where I had spent the week in a rented C-Class Merc and discovered that the latest Aston Martin had almost the same interior. Why on earth would anyone spend that amount of money and look at a dash that is the same as a rental hack - unless it was a GT350H of course!

[@elizabethcherry920]

Well Harry AWD certainly looks like its coming, I was reading a car magazine from India and it shows the Aston Martin DBX, unbelievable even Aston Martin is going to try and sell a SUV.

[@stubones]

Elizabeth Cherry the SUV has been testing on rally stages in Wales. It’s definitely coming but I don’t know why you appear shocked. It was inevitable.

[@balazsrisko1926]

Love these videos

[@Stichting-AAP]

Those steeringwheel control look an awefull lot like the ones from a kia sportage Great video Harry

[@Bryan-fg3ey]

The front wheel/carbon disk/caliper combo is on point.

[@timgosling6189]

To me it looks mostly fantastic, although I've never been a fan of the enormous 'bottom-feeder' grills that Aston sometimes produce, and the interior is a bit too clear in its Mercedes roots. First time I tried to apply the parking break I found I was actually opening the centre cubby; having the brake toggle in the footwell may have made sense in a '70s taxi but not today in an Aston! Nevertheless, as you say the view of those haunches in the mirror brings a smile every time. For the same money, though, and for general driving pleasure, I'd get myself a recent used F12 and put a private plate on it. Better gearbox, much better brakes, better quality in the cabin and the manettino is more intuitive and ergonomic. The noise is just as good and even in the cold and rain you won't arrive frazzled from just trying to keep it out of the hedge!

[@TheVorstwout]

Awesome Harry 👍

[@trainmanbob]

Great analysis of what is a gorgeous car. I much prefer your style to that of any other motoring correspondent.

[@muhammadzailani7313]

We just can't get it all in this world! I want the DBS looks, with the Continental GT interior and the Ferrari 812s or F12s powertrain.

[@trihardcx6743]

If you have enough money, you could always ask Ferrari's Special Projects division to build it for you.

[@markburton5170]

Great review. You comment on the sort of things which matter to me. I have a db11. The video leaves you thinking that it might be the better choice even without the price differential. On UK roads the last thing you need is more torque than the already massive amount in the db11. To get the extra torque you put up with worse brake feel (I like the DB11 brakes) and a less responsive version of the gearbox which is superb in the DB11. The weight saving is insignificant and the extra downforce again not relevant at UK speeds. Only spend the extra over the 11 if you need to play top trumps or you like to drive very fast on German motorways. While I agree that the dash shapes don't work well together with the tablet style display at odds with everything else, the quality of the materials and finishes lifts the interior well above the German or Japanese cars. I also agree that the Bentley's interior is in another league for both quality and design but is more drawing room than sports car. Autocar gave the DBS 5 stars and consider it more dynamic than the Bentley - a test on very cold roads was biased agàinst the 2 wheel drive car. Which is very relevant - even in the DB11 performance is traction limited, and the German super saloons have all gone to 4wd to çope with this level of performance.

[@primozkrajcar4144]

Nice video of a nice car! Harry can you find a Saab 9-3 Viggen to review? I think you would like it a lot.

[@Gaaaaaaaaaaad]

Love every aspect of this car

[@RJ-mb2vi]

Looking forward to the summer test - to see if that lack of traction problem does/does not materialise. Also, would love to see a review of the Ferrari 812 Superfast - could that follow soon Harry?

[@realitykicksin8755]

This is currently my favorite car. The looks, power, exclusivity. I wish I could afford it ....

[@timogaleon1630]

Thanks, Harry, very enjoyable as always. Can't help but think it would be so frustrating having that much power but not being able to use it. Not a problem unique to the Aston, of course. Are modern cars just too powerful now? My old 6.2 litre SL63 (same weight as the Aston) has only 525BHP, but being naturally aspirated doesn't have too much problem putting its power down and seems bloomin' fast to me. However, the old SL would come a distant last in a game of top trumps with any of today's fast GT cars. Huge power is what's needed to get sales today, I can understand that. Love the Aston's looks (much better than the DB11 to my eyes), but really don't like the interior at all, and the noise of the indicators would drive me nuts! Very glad, however, they've kept good ride quality which seems increasingly rare. Sadly, though, it wouldn't get my 1/4 million....

[@geraldmellon740]

“A very pleasant place to be” - and he’s in a quarter of a million quids worth of car... Go on Harry!!!!!!! 😀

[@newmotoring]

And this is how you end a Wednesday 👏

[@BrutalTurtle]

@2manysecrets to be fair most of us live in the UK. life is pretty miserable here, nothing to do in the evenings.

[@newmotoring]

@@BrutalTurtle Bravo 👏😂

[@MrJdp1968]

Great review, that Aston is stunning, id take one over the 812 any day

[@steviedee71]

Wow you would take it over a 812 geeez not me but hey its your choice 👍

[@oeiras99]

Excellent review, warts and all. Most reviewers would gush over this car but Harry finds some serious faults in braking, too much torque for two-wheel drive, and disappointing interior for the price, which is an added criticism. That interior console is retro, right out of the 1990s IMHO. Why 700+ horsepower, but it does go like hell and sounds great. Good, balanced critique.

[@rumblebelly7429]

You made me drewl again Harry :) This is how cars should be reviewed. (My right shoulder devil begs for an Audi Sport Quattro Review, my left shoulder angel for an RS200 :O )