Wednesday 28th June 2017

Aston Martin DB11 V8!

Twin-turbo AMG 4.0-litre debuts in DB11, presumably allays fears of an all-electric line up...

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Following yesterday's news that an all-electric RapidE is soon to enter production, Aston Martin today heralded a further diversification of its range, in line with its 'Second Century' strategy.

Presumably sounds more rumbly out here

Arriving in the form of a V8-powered DB11, the announcement marks the first time an Aston Martin will receive an engine supplied under its technical partnership with Daimler AG.

Specifically it's the 'hot-V' as used in the AMG GT, C63, E63 and, well, lots of other stuff. So ostensibly it's the same 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, with 510hp (identical to a GT S and C63 S) and 498lb ft (which exactly splits the two, with 480lb ft and 516lb ft respectively), resulting in a 0-62mph time of 4.0 seconds and a top speed of 187mph. This compared to the 608hp, 516lb ft, 3.9 seconds to 62mph and 200mph of the 5.2-litre V12. Again the eight-speed auto is used in a transaxle, surprising given it's been paired to a dual-clutch gearbox (GT), the MCT automatic (C63) and Merc's conventional nine-speed auto (E63) already. Has one engine ever been available with four gearboxes before?

Now, despite this being the same engine found in various AMGs, Aston is keen to highlight the several steps it has taken to "ensure it possesses the all-important feel and sound for which Aston Martins are renowned."

Hang on, is that purple?

To that end, new ECU software has been developed and the engine and throttle mapping have been reprogrammed. Aston Martin engineers have also designed a bespoke air intake, slimline wet sump and new exhaust system which, together with revised engine mounts, allow the V8 to be positioned lower down within the car. Interesting to note that it isn't dry-sumped, as the engine is in the AMG GT, which would presumably allow the engine to be mounted lower still - AMG clearly isn't lending out all of its tech!

With a weight saving of 115kg, a lower centre of gravity and the more compact V8 sitting further behind the front axle, we can hopefully look forward to increased agility and a more sporting feel from this car than the V12. Further evidenced by a specific tune for the springs, dampers, anti-roll bars and geometry in the eight-cylinder car.

Although it may be difficult to tell the new car apart from the existing one visually, there are several subtle differences between the two. These include a unique alloy wheel finish, dark headlamp bezels and just the two bonnet vents instead of the four featured on the V12. Inside, buyers can expect the same standard equipment levels, the same choice of colour and trim and, should those not suffice, the same Option Packs as are already available.

Coming to a quayside near you soon...

Making its dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend, the V8-powered DB11 is on sale now priced from £144,900, making it £13,000 cheaper than the £157,900 asked for the V12. Bargain (!)

As to what this means for the upcoming Vantage replacement, your guess is as good as ours. Will it still use a detuned version of the same engine? Might there even one day be a V6 at the bottom end of the range? Share your thoughts below!

 

[emiliotony]

Awesome

[DB9VolanteDriver]

Approx 8% cheaper than the v12? Why would anyone bother. You will always feel inadequate when you pull up next to the big boy's version with 50% more cylinders, and a real Aston motor. Massive fail.

[Muhtanti]

This engine doesnt fit in such a beautiful car. Its too rough and by far not as smooth as the V12. Additional the 4.0l V8 Biturbo from AMG sounds like st without the chavvy exhaust.

[p1stonhead]

If you have £144k for the V8, you probably have £157k for the V12.....

Small relative cost uplift to do it properly.

[JohnGoodridge]

DB9VolanteDriver said:

Approx 8% cheaper than the v12? Why would anyone bother.

Help AM sell it in China was my first thought.

[Gus265]

I don't think its a bad idea (there is no traditional Aston engine as they have been 6s, 8s and 12s) but they have got the pricing wrong. It needs to be significantly cheaper than the V12 to justify going for it over the V12 and £13k on. £157k car isn't enough. It needs to be at least £25k

[TNH]

The DB11 looks so much better when the roof colour matches the bodywork. Hate the two tone they used on a lot of the original press cars.

Not quite sure why you wouldn't just spend an extra £13k on getting the proper Aston engine when you have the kind of money required for one of these though.

[subirg]

It's still a munter...

[E65Ross]

TNH said:

The DB11 looks so much better when the roof colour matches the bodywork. Hate the two tone they used on a lot of the original press cars.

Not quite sure why you wouldn't just spend an extra £13k on getting the proper Aston engine when you have the kind of money required for one of these though.

Agree on both counts!

[Dr G]

article said:

Has one engine ever been available with four gearboxes before?

Nerd mode on:

Audi V6 TDI in ~2009:

CVT (Multitronic)
6 speed manual
6 speed torque convertor (tiptronic)
7 speed double clutch (S Tronic)

Think I can also do 4 with the 1.9 TDI

Can anyone do 5???

[AndySA]

I am sorry but that engine bay just looks so wrong. If I ever had the cash for a car at this price level, that would just turn me off.

[SturdyHSV]

So to answer the criticisms that all of the cars in its range look the same, Aston are now just selling the same car with different engines to make up the range

• I know this isn't really what they're doing, just a bit of fun

[E65Ross]

AndySA said:

I am sorry but that engine bay just looks so wrong. If I ever had the cash for a car at this price level, that would just turn me off.

Seriously? I'm assuming you'd never consider any form of 911 then

[anthonysjb]

Its quite clear that in the UK market this car is quite pointless. Aston won't tell you, but the main reason this car probably exists is to drive sales in markets that have much stricter emissions targets than ours, and in which the total price for the car will be considerably less than the V8. Same logic as the V8 Lusso, in my opinion.

[ZX10R NIN]

I don't see the problem with it having a Merc engine as long as it goes well & sounds right it'll sell, but I have to agree with the above post it looks much better being the same colour all over.

[MrScrot]

Putting an AMG in an Aston Martin does not feel right to me. If you buy an Aston you want it's British heritage.This engine drop nullifies that. I'm sure there are enough engineers in Britain that could produce a competitive, green engine, but marketing and business swines unfortunately stick red tape all over that.

[Zod]

Positioning is not wildly different from that of the 8 and 12 cylinder Bentley Continentals.

[FN2TypeR]

MrScrot said:

Putting an AMG in an Aston Martin does not feel right to me. If you buy an Aston you want it's British heritage.This engine drop nullifies that. I'm sure there are enough engineers in Britain that could produce a competitive, green engine, but marketing and business swines unfortunately stick red tape all over that.

What nonsense

[Amanitin]

E65Ross said:

Seriously? I'm assuming you'd never consider any form of 911 then

i agree with OP. That tinfoil wrap on the piping looks like an aftermarket mod. A very cheap one.

[NickGibbs]

MrScrot said:

Putting an AMG in an Aston Martin does not feel right to me. If you buy an Aston you want it's British heritage.This engine drop nullifies that. I'm sure there are enough engineers in Britain that could produce a competitive, green engine, but marketing and business swines unfortunately stick red tape all over that.

The current Aston V8 and V12 are made in a Ford factory in Germany...