The Aston Martin DB11 is the brand’s first all-new car in nearly fourteen years. Designed as a replacement for the DB9, the DB11 is a sporting grand tourer that rivals models such as the Bentley Continental GT.
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However, the DB11 is a sleeker and more graceful model than the Bentley. Heavily influenced by the DB10 concept that starred in the recent James Bond Spectre film, the new addition sets the tone for future Aston Martin models. It’s not just a pretty face either, as the flowing lines hide clever aerodynamic additions that deliver both downforce and reduce drag.
Powered by an all-new twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V12, the DB11 delivers
a whopping 600bhp and a muscular 700Nm of torque. As you’d expect,
performance is electric with the 0-62mph sprint taking just 3.9 seconds.Yet it’s the way the car rides and handles that really impresses. It’s claimed to be the softest Aston yet, meaning it flows over bumps with a supple poise that its stiff predecessor can’t match. Yet this comfort doesn’t affect the handling, as the DB11 displays remarkable agility and control for a car that tips the scales at over 1,800kg.
Factor in a cabin that mixes cutting edge style and Mercedes supplied electronics with top notch materials and a bespoke finish, and you have one of the fastest and most desirable long distance cruisers money can buy. Only the cramped rear seats and hefty running costs count against the DB11. However, for many buyers the car’s ravenous thirst for fuel won’t be a problem.
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Aston Martin DB11
Intended as a replacement for the long-serving DB9, the DB11 is the first model to use Aston’s strong and lightweight scalable architecture, which is also likely to underpin the 2017 Vantage and forthcoming DBX crossover.
The changes don’t end there either, because the DB11 also debut’s the firm’s new twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V12 engines. It’s smaller than the 6.0-litre unit in the DB9, but it delivers a much heftier punch. Peak power is a heady 600bhp, while the crushing 700Nm torque output is delivered at just 1,500rpm. As with the latest Aston models, this new powerplant drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed transaxle automatic gearbox.
Further enhancements include the adoption of a sophisticated multi-link rear axle. At the front is a traditional double wishbone set-up, while adaptive dampers are standard. Aston claims this is the softest Aston ever, yet this focus on comfort doesn’t compromise the engaging and agile rear-wheel drive handling dynamics.
Externally, the Aston looks far sportier and sleeker than its rivals. Taking its cues from the DB10 concept, the DB11 features traditional Aston proportions of a long nose, low roofline and short rear overhang. However, careful sculpting and crafting of the lines means the stunning DB11 looks bang up to date. Highlights include the gloss black roof pillars that flow from the base of the windscreen over the passenger compartment and into tailgate, plus at the rear there are distinctive LED lamps that Aston claim are the thinnest ever on a production car. The DB11 also features the brand’s patented Aeroblade aerodynamics.
Inside, the DB11 is the first Aston to benefit from the brand’s recent tie-up with Mercedes. That means you get the German firm’s trademark COMAND rotary controller for the infotainment system, plus its single stalk for the wipers, headlamps and indicators. However, it’s all neatly integrated with the Aston’s eye-catchingly styled and beautifully finished cabin.
Traditional materials such as wood and leather are used throughout, while real metal is used for all trim pieces, such as the speaker grilles and air vent surrounds.
Engines, performance and drive
The switch to turbocharging hasn’t robbed the Aston V12 of character, while the ride and handling balance is excellent
As with its DB9
predecessor, the DB11 gets a traditional rear-wheel drive layout and a
transaxle gearbox location. This means the eight-speed auto is mounted
between the rear wheels, helping Aston’s engineers achieve a near
perfect 50/50 weight distribution.Yet it’s the changes to the car’s structure and suspension that are really impressive. Aston has poached a number of chassis engineers from fellow British firm Lotus, and it’s clear their efforts have paid off because the DB11 manages to handle with remarkable agility, yet it also soaks up bumps as effortlessly as an executive saloon.
This newfound composure can partly be traced to the brand’s new scalable extruded and bonded aluminium architecture, which is far stiffer than the old VH platform used by the DB9, Vantage, Vanquish and Rapide. This allows the suspension geometry to work more consistently.
At the front is a traditional double wishbone set-up, while at the rear is an all-new multi-link axle. Adaptive dampers are standard, as is an electric power steering set-up.
Drivers can choose from three separate driving modes – GT, Sport and Sport+. Even in GT the Aston feels remarkably poised and agile. The steering is quicker than in the DB9, but it never feels nervous or edgy, like in a Ferrari F12. The electrically assisted set-up is also naturally weighted and delivers just the right amount of feedback for a fast GT car.
As a result, the Aston responds quickly to inputs and can be placed with pinpoint accuracy. There’s plenty of bite from the front tyres and Aston clings tightly to your chosen line, despite the fact that the torque vectoring system doesn’t start working until fairly high cornering forces are detected.
There’s also remarkably little roll through corners, while body movements are well checked even when the dampers are in their softest setting. Selecting Sport or Sport+ mode ties the car down a little more – it also is adds weight to the steering, sharpens the throttle and changes gearshift strategies – but for most people most of the time, GT will feel like the best judged setting.
As you’d expect from a car with 600bhp, 700Nm of torque and rear-wheel drive, the DB11’s line through a corner can be influenced as much by the throttle as the steering.
Even with the stability control switched on you can feel the car’s balance being altered by a sudden applications of power. Sport+ mode relaxes the electronic safety net to allow a little slip on the exit of corners, meaning you can enjoy the car’s natural balance without fear of the situation getting out of hand.
Of course, the DB11 is a GT car first and foremost, so it needs to be as relaxing when you don’t want to drive like your hair is on fire. Leave the car in GT and the suspension does a remarkable job of soaking up bumps. Deeper potholes and sharp ridges are felt, but that’s largely to do with the massive 20-inch alloys.
It’s fairly refined, too – although our car was a final production prototype, which meant that the door seals let in a little too much wind noise.