The Aston Martin DB11 is the first in a new line of Astons designed to bring the brand up to speed with the competition. It boasts a new twin-turbocharged V12 engine, infotainment tech lifted from Mercedes and clever aerodynamic and design features which draw on learnings made with the DB10 and Aston Martin Vulcan.
Aston Martin claims it is the most significant new model since the launch of the DB9 in 2003. We’d be inclined to agree, the DB11 is almost entirely new from the ground up and, on paper at least, is a big step on from Aston’s current product range.
Engine and transmission
The DB11 boasts an entirely new 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 engine developed in-house at Aston Martin. It puts out 600bhp at 6500rpm and 516 lb ft of torque from 1500-5000rpm, which makes the DB11 the most powerful DB model ever produced.
Aston Martin has utilised similar fuel saving technology to that seen in the Audi R8 and Huracan. Called ‘intelligent bank activation’, the V12 in the DB11 can shut down half its cylinders when cruising. The motor also boasts start-stop technology and is front mid-mounted beneath a huge single piece aluminium clamshell bonnet.
Performance stats are impressive. The DB11 is capable of that all important 200mph top speed and achieves a 0-62mph time of 3.9 seconds.
Mated to the V12 is an 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox which can be controlled via paddles on either side of the steering wheel. Also on the steering wheel is a button for controlling throttle response and engine map, with three options being available - GT, Sport and Sport+
Chassis and Design
The DB11 uses a completely new bonded aluminium platform. Lighter and stronger, it allows for wider door apertures and increased occupant space for the rear seats. The car is still a 2+2 and yes, there is more room in the back, but it’s not much. With a 1770kg dry weight the DB11 is actually only 15kg lighter than the DB9 it replaces.
Changes to the suspension setup are significant. At the front, you’ve got fully independent double wishbones, coil springs and three stage adaptive dampers. The rear is multi-link with adaptive dampers.
Those dampers can be controlled via a single button on the steering wheel and switched between GT, Sport and Sport +. We spent time with Aston Martin handling and setup guru Matt Becker prior to the DB11’s unveiling and he hinted at wanting to create a car with a broad dynamic character.
Aston claims this has been put into practice with the DB11, with the three stage adaptive damping varying significantly between each setting. The steering itself is a 13:1 electric-power assisted speed-dependent tack and pinion setup which is 2.4 turns lock-to-lock.
The DB11 features both front and rear LED lights, with the design drawing on that of the Vulcan and One-77 hypercar. Updated daytime running lights also feature, as does a single cut out for each light at the front in the huge single-piece clamshell bonnet.
There are two significant new aerodynamic features introduced with the DB11. The first is the ‘Curlicue’ you see sat directly behind the two front wheels. First introduced on the Vulcan, it takes high-pressure turbulent air from the wheel arch and sends it down the side of the vehicle as a vortices, smoothing out airflow over the DB11.
The second is what Aston Martin calls the ‘AeroBlade’. At the rear of the DB11 behind the long aluminium roof strake is a single intake on either side of the car. Rather than using a large spoiler to generate downforce in the DB11, the AeroBlade intakes instead channel air through the base of the car’s C-pillars, through ducts inside the bodywork and out a small set of slots at the top of the rear deck lid.
Brakes and Tyres
The DB11 is available only with steel brakes, with carbon ceramics not offered as an option. At the front it has two piece steel discs with six-piston callipers and four-piston callipers at the rear. New to the DB11 is torque vectoring by braking.
Tyres consist of Bridgestone S007 255/40 ZR20s at the front and 295/35 ZR20s at the rear. Note the name of the Bridgestones - they’re unique to the DB11 and as such were given a little James Bond nod. Also taken from James Bond is the 20-inch wheels on the DB11, which first appeared on the DB10 seen in Spectre.
Interior and Tech
Aston Martin’s technical partnership with Mercedes first makes an appearance in the DB11 in the form of a completely new infotainment system in the car. Utilising the same back-end as that found in the new S-Class, but with an Aston Martin user interface, it drastically improves the interior tech over what was found in the DB9.
The only piece of interior trim which is clearly taken from Mercedes is the click-wheel and track pad that sits on the transmission tunnel. It doesn’t look hugely out of place and is surrounded in high-quality leather. This controls a much update nav system which features everything you’d expect on a modern high-tech supercar. The dashboard itself is now also a full 12-inch LCD screen.
The DB11 comes with keyless go technology which means it does away with Aston Martin’s signature ‘emotion control unit’ key and instead features a single start/stop button.
As for the interior itself, two huge trim pieces are sat on either door, while the centre console mirrors the same trim option. Extensive leather upholstery is marked out by a new ‘brogue’ detailing on either seat and door card. Interior options range from wood to carbon fibre, while everything from seatbelt colour to headrest logos can be customised .
