The 2022 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante gets an abbreviated name: DBS Volante. The only other noticeable change from the others, styling-wise, is the new 21-inch wheel design. Aston Martin says the reason for the name change is purely for simplification purposes. The 2022 Aston Martin DBS is so quick that passersby will have hardly any time to appreciate its carefully sculpted sheet metal as it rockets into the distance.
With those very small exceptions, the 2022 Aston Martin DBS Volante remains unchanged and that’s a very good thing. Under its long hood lies a 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 rated at 715 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission directs that juice to the rear wheels only. Zero to 62 mph requires only 3.6 seconds – just 0.2 seconds slower than the fixed-roof coupe. Top speed comes in at 211 mph.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
With a claimed zero-to-60-mph time of 3.2 seconds for the coupe and a 211-mph top speed for both coupe and convertible, the 2022 Aston Martin DBS is a monstrously quick touring car. A twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V-12 engine makes 715 horsepower and drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic; mash the gas pedal and the DBS takes off like a Saturn V rocket. Encounter some twisty roads and the DBS is rewarding—if challenging—to drive quickly. The ride is compliant over rough pavement, but don’t expect the same level of refinement as in a Mercedes-Benz S-class.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Like other high-powered exotic sports cars, the 2022 Aston Martin DBS isn’t particularly fueled efficient, but its 22-mpg highway fuel-economy rating from the EPA puts it ahead of rivals such as the Ferrari F8 Tributo (19 mpg highway) and the Lamborghini Huracán (18 mpg highway). We haven’t had the chance to test the Aston Martin DBS’s fuel efficiency on our 200-mile highway fuel-economy test, but if we ever do, we’ll update this story with results. For more information about the DBS’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The 2022 Aston Martin DBS is a grand-touring sports car and as such comes standard with plenty of luxuries to make your trip comfortable. Leather-wrapped power-adjustable sports seats with heat and memory settings are standard. The cabin can be styled with several different types of trim, including open-pore ash wood, carbon fiber, or satin-finished chrome.
We aren’t sure how many carry-on suitcases will fit inside the Aston Martin DBS’s trunk because, unfortunately, we’ve not had one in our office for testing. But Aston Martin will sell you a four-piece custom luggage set that’s even color-matched to the interior of your specific car.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All DBS models come with an 8.0-inch infotainment display with navigation, as well as Bluetooth phone and audio streaming connectivity. The infotainment interface itself is a lightly reskinned version of Mercedes-Benz’s COMAND software; a click wheel and touchpad are provided on the center console to navigate the menus, and it’s a fairly intuitive system overall. A nine-speaker stereo is standard, but buyers can upgrade to a Bang & Olufsen setup.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
As far as driver-assistance features are concerned, Aston Martin offers few such items on the DBS. For more information about the DBS’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
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Full Specifications
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2+2-passenger, 2-door coupe
BASE PRICE
$314,186
ENGINE TYPE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 48-valve V-12, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement
318 in3, 5204 cm3
Power
715 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque
663 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 110.4 in
Length: 185.5 in
Width: 77.5 in
Height: 50.4 in
Passenger volume: 72 ft3
Trunk volume: 9 ft3
Curb weight (C/D est): 4100 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 3.2 sec
100 mph: 7.3 sec
¼-mile: 11.0 sec
Top speed (mfr’s claim): 211 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 17/14/22 mpg