Aston Martin DB11

The Aston Martin DB11 is a grand tourer[2] produced by British luxury car manufacturer Aston Martin since 2016. It debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2016 as a replacement to the DB9.[3] It is the first model launched in Aston Martin's 'second century' plan and the first car launched since the company's tie-up with Daimler AG.

Aston Martin DB11
Aston Martin DB11 V8
Overview
ManufacturerAston Martin
Production2016–present
Model years2017–present
AssemblyUnited Kingdom: Gaydon, Warwickshire
Designer
Body and chassis
ClassGrand tourer (S)
Body style
LayoutFront mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
DoorsSwan
Related
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission8-speed ZF 8HP75 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,808 mm (110.6 in)
Length4,739 mm (186.6 in)
Width2,060 mm (81.1 in)
Height1,279 mm (50.4 in)
Kerb weight
  • 1,875 kg (4,134 lb) (V12 coupé)
  • 1,760 kg (3,880 lb) (V8 coupé)
  • 1,870 kg (4,123 lb) (Volante)
Chronology
PredecessorAston Martin DB9

Design

New design features include new roof strakes that separate the body from the roof, available in black or body colour, and the "Aeroblade" intakes in the front strakes.[4]

The bonnet is a 'clam-shell' design made from a single piece of aluminium. The DB11 does not use the older Aston Martin VH platform but makes use of an all-new riveted and adhesive-bonded aluminium platform that shifts the emphasis from extrusions to stampings to create more cockpit space which would also underpin future Aston Martin models; including the Vantage.[5][6]

Production

During the DB11 coupé premiere, over 1,400 cars were ordered.[7] Production officially started on 28 September 2016.[8] To demonstrate commitment to quality, the CEO, Andy Palmer, checked the first 1,000 cars himself.

Reception

The reaction from the motoring press reviews has been positive, including statements such as "it's a pretty fabulous way to sit behind 600 horsepower" from Car and Driver.[9] Matt Prior of Autocar awarded the DB11 a perfect five stars in his review saying, "If there is a GT car with a better chassis, I have not driven it."[10] Jack Rix of Top Gear Magazine was also positive in his review stating, "A solid start to a future portfolio that will be studded with flashier and faster members than this, but none that are quite so suited to being enjoyed every day, wherever you're heading."[11]

Motoring journalist Jeremy Clarkson quoted: "If you're ever in Paris, at a party at 3am, and suddenly remember you are playing in a tennis tournament in Monte Carlo the next afternoon, this is the car for the job. You'd arrive feeling like you'd just got out of the bath. It's not just a pretty face. This is an extremely good car. Phenomenally good. But there is a price to pay." He did not like the interior of the car he tested.[12]

The car won the prestigious Golden Steering Wheel Award from Axel Springer which crowned it the most beautiful car of 2017.[13]

Variants

DB11 V12

The DB11 V12 is powered by an all-new 5,204 cc (5.2 L; 317.6 cu in) twin-turbocharged V12 engine called the AE31,[14] making it the first turbocharged series-production Aston Martin.[15] The engine has a power output of 608 PS (447 kW; 600 hp) at 6,500 rpm and 516 lb⋅ft (700 N⋅m) of torque between 1,500–5,000 rpm. The car is equipped with a rear-mounted 8-speed automatic transmission manufactured by ZF Friedrichshafen. The DB11 accelerates from 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) in 3.8 seconds and can attain a top speed of 322 km/h (200 mph).[16] In a road test conducted by Car and Driver, the DB11 accelerated from 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) in 3.6 seconds and ran the quarter mile in 11.7 seconds at a speed of 201 km/h (125 mph).[17]

DB11 V8

The initial V12 model was joined by an entry-level V8 version in the summer of 2017.[18] Powered by a 4.0-litre Mercedes-Benz M177 twin-turbocharged V8 engine developed by Mercedes-AMG, it results in a 115 kg (254 lb) weight reduction over the V12 variant and a total kerb weight of 1,760 kg (3,880 lb) with 49/51 front/rear weight distribution, in contrast to the DB11 V12's 51/49.[19][20] The V8 engine has a power output of 510 PS (375 kW; 503 hp) and 498 lb⋅ft (675 N⋅m) of torque. The car accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4 seconds and has a top speed of 301 km/h (187 mph).[21][22]

DB11 Volante

Aston Martin launched a convertible version of the DB11 in 2018 called the DB11 Volante (Italian for Flying). The DB11 Volante has a front/rear weight distribution of 47/53, and shares the same 4.0-litre M177 twin-turbocharged V8 engine with the DB11 V8 coupé albeit with more torque.[23] The Volante has the same power output as the V8 coupé which enables it to accelerate from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 4.1 seconds before reaching a top speed of 301 km/h (187 mph).[24] Aston Martin announced that they have no plans of fitting their 5.2-litre AE31 twin-turbocharged V12 engine on the Volante as the car already weighs 110 kg (243 lb) more than the V8 coupé due to the myriad of chassis stiffening components, as well as to keep the structural integrity of the Volante intact and stable at high speeds.[25][26]

DB11 AMR

In May 2018, Aston Martin unveiled the DB11 AMR—the replacement for the outgoing DB11 V12 which is more potent and performance-oriented than its predecessor. The predecessor DB11 V12 had been in production for only 18 months and it is believed this move was substantially due to the new V8 DB11 performing better than expected, narrowing the performance gap with the V12.[27]

It has received vast improvements over the outgoing model, such as a power increase to 639 PS (470 kW; 630 hp) from its 5.2-litre AE31 twin-turbocharged V12 engine, revised shift programming for the 8-speed automatic transmission for quicker gear changes, firmer and stiffer rear suspension, improvement in 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) acceleration time to 3.5 seconds and an increased top speed of 335 km/h (208 mph). Other unique features include a more aggressive exhaust note in Sport & Sport+ mode, black roof, dark interior trim and new 3.5 kg lighter, 20-inch forged alloy wheels.[28]

Aston Martin produced a limited run of 100 DB11 AMR Signature Edition cars at the start of production featuring a Stirling Green paint scheme with Lime Green accents; similar to that found on the Vantage GTE race car, black interior trim with lime green stitching and gloss black forged 20-inch alloy wheels. The DB11 AMR is priced at GB£174,995 while the Signature Edition sells for GB£201,995. Deliveries began in the summer of 2018.[29]

  • DB11 V8 (rear view)
  • The DB11 Volante at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show
  • The DB11 AMR at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show
  • DB11 AMR (rear view)

References
  1. Gallina, Eric (13 March 2017). "Meet the Designers: An In-Depth Look at Design of the Aston Martin DB11". Form Trends.
  2. Prince, Max (October 2016). "Aston's Eleven". Road & Track. 68 (3): 76–79.
  3. Ingram, Richard (2 March 2016). "New Aston Martin DB11: price, specs and video". Auto Express. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  4. "Aston Martin DB11: new 600bhp twin-turbo GT officially revealed". CAR Magazine. 2 March 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  5. Duff, Mike (1 March 2016). "2017 Aston Martin DB11 Revealed!". Car and Driver. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  6. Robinson, Aaron (4 August 2016). "2017 Aston Martin DB11". Car and Driver. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  7. "Aston Martin DB11 already has over 1,400 pre-orders". Autoblog.com. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  8. "Aston Martin DB11". carwow.co.uk. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  9. "Car and Driver, August, 2016". Caranddriver.com. 4 August 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  10. "Autocar, August, 2016". Autocar.co.uk. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  11. "TopGear, August, 2016". Topgear.com. 5 August 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  12. "The Sunday Times, 19th December, 2016". Driving.co.uk. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  13. "Aston Martin DB11 wins the prestigious Golden Steering Wheel Award". Aston Martin. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  14. Petrany, Mate (22 June 2016). "Aston Martin Has Started Building its New Twin-Turbo V12s". Road and Track. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  15. Burt, Matt (2 March 2016). "Aston Martin DB11 video analysis: full tech details, prices and exclusive pics". Autocar. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  16. Lieberman, Jonny (16 March 2017). "2017 Aston Martin DB11 First Test Review: Desire On Four Wheels". Motor Trend. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  17. Quiroga, Tony (August 2017). "2017 Aston Martin DB11". Car and Driver. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  18. Wiseman, Ed (28 June 2017). "V8 advantage – Aston Martin launches 'more affordable' V8 DB11 grand tourer". The Telegraph. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  19. Woodward, Lyn (8 January 2018). "2018 Aston Martin DB11 V8: Driving the Lighter Aston Fantastic". The Drive. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  20. Barry, Ben (27 September 2017). "Aston Martin DB11 V8 (2017) review". CAR Magazine. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  21. Brodie, James (28 June 2017). "Aston Martin DB11 V8 revealed with 503bhp AMG powertrain". Auto Express. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  22. Duff, Mike (September 2017). "2018 Aston Martin DB11 V-8". Car and Driver. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  23. Jurnecka, Rory (18 February 2018). "First Drive: 2019 Aston Martin DB11 Volante". Automobile Magazine. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  24. Barry, Ben (19 February 2018). "Aston Martin DB11 Volante review: V8 power without the roof". CAR Magazine. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  25. Wasef, Basem (20 February 2018). "2018 Aston Martin DB11 Volante First Drive Review". Autoblog. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  26. Gnaticov, Cristian (10 April 2018). "Aston Martin DB11 Volante: Is It An All-Star Athlete?". Carscoops. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  27. "Aston Martin DB11 AMR 2018 review". Autocar. 30 May 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  28. Perkins, Chris (11 May 2018). "The Aston Martin DB11 AMR Has 630 HP to Rip Across Country With". Road and Track. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  29. Marriage, Ollie (30 May 2018). "Aston Martin DB11 AMR review: new V12 GT tested". Top Gear. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
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