RE: Aston Martin DB11 V8: Driven
Discussion
Oakman said:
With regard to the new AMG sourced Aston V8 engine.
This weekend I was at a charity event where a small selection of Aston Martins current cars were available to drive on the road with professional instructors from the factory - it was a great experience, very much to recommend.
In discussion with the instructor in the Vantage V8S I was driving, I asked about the new range of engines. He proceeded to tell me the same as was quoted in the above article - ie crated out from AMG and Aston did all the other work.
In conjunction to this with ZF supplying their industry standard 8 speed automatic gearbox but specifically for transaxle use in the Astons.
He did very interestingly cite that Aston were able to extract significantly more BHP than the standard AMG unit, though the 'gentlemans agreement' between them precludes Aston from currently offering this to their customers.
More to come maybe......
Merc already extract 612 HP from this same engine in the E63S .....
This weekend I was at a charity event where a small selection of Aston Martins current cars were available to drive on the road with professional instructors from the factory - it was a great experience, very much to recommend.
In discussion with the instructor in the Vantage V8S I was driving, I asked about the new range of engines. He proceeded to tell me the same as was quoted in the above article - ie crated out from AMG and Aston did all the other work.
In conjunction to this with ZF supplying their industry standard 8 speed automatic gearbox but specifically for transaxle use in the Astons.
He did very interestingly cite that Aston were able to extract significantly more BHP than the standard AMG unit, though the 'gentlemans agreement' between them precludes Aston from currently offering this to their customers.
More to come maybe......
Merc already extract 612 HP from this same engine in the E63S .....
RichB said:
Question for those ordering DB11s; when I chatted to Andy Palmer last summer he said it would be possible to order the roof side bars in body colour. Now they are at the dealers has it been confirmed this is possible?
It's a choice in the website config.Mind you, so's THAT leather...
SpeckledJim said:
This doesn't make much sense.
PR demo fleet cars will eventually be sold into the dealers, so there's some commercial pressure to keep them within the realms of retail-friendly specs.
Whilst they want to show what can be done, they also want to show cars that someone might conceivably want to own.
Just building a demo car out of any old stuff they've got lying around in weird colours, when it's going to be seen by millions, is not really a feasible idea. The cost of the leather is not very high in comparison to the cost of actually building the car.
They have come out with some odd Ted-Baker suit-lining spec choices, but that's surely not the reason why.
It’s true I swear!PR demo fleet cars will eventually be sold into the dealers, so there's some commercial pressure to keep them within the realms of retail-friendly specs.
Whilst they want to show what can be done, they also want to show cars that someone might conceivably want to own.
Just building a demo car out of any old stuff they've got lying around in weird colours, when it's going to be seen by millions, is not really a feasible idea. The cost of the leather is not very high in comparison to the cost of actually building the car.
They have come out with some odd Ted-Baker suit-lining spec choices, but that's surely not the reason why.
The DB11 prototype had baby blue leather:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8UW9J10Dcoc
They talked about the leather choice in the evo article in the mag I’m sure.
Even automobile mentioned it:
www.automobilemag.com/news/2017-aston-martin-db11-...
Don't know why you'd bother to be honest. The price difference between the two engines is so small, why on earth wouldn't you have an Aston designed V12?? 150 grand on a car that shares its engines with saloons costing half as much? How very special... And being made to feel special is surely the only reason you buy a car like this.
I like the db11 - I think it's a bargain - but they're having a laugh with the V8.
I like the db11 - I think it's a bargain - but they're having a laugh with the V8.
PunterCam said:
Don't know why you'd bother to be honest. The price difference between the two engines is so small, why on earth wouldn't you have an Aston designed V12?? 150 grand on a car that shares its engines with saloons costing half as much? How very special... And being made to feel special is surely the only reason you buy a car like this.
I like the db11 - I think it's a bargain - but they're having a laugh with the V8.
This car is not really made for the UK market (which amounts to around 20% of global sales) even though it's being sold here.I like the db11 - I think it's a bargain - but they're having a laugh with the V8.
A quick glance of Aston's own website reveals "This new V8 derivative brings further significant benefits in markets where car taxation policy is structured around engine capacity, such as China [and Singapore]".
The DB11 V8 is expected to retail for $400,000 compared with the $470,000 of a DB11 V12 in China.
They're most certainly NOT having a laugh with the V8.
sidesauce said:
I like the db11 - I think it's a bargain - but they're having a laugh with the V8.
DB11 V8/V12 price difference is not insignificant over here in The Netherlands (NL) at +40K but it's not significant enough to be the primary reason for deciding on either model considering what these (prestige) cars are and the level of financial play prospective owners will need to have.Alledged NL price of the DB11 V8= €230.000
Alledged NL price of DB11 V12 €271.914
(Prices are not openly stated via the importer)
P.s. Let's talk bargains:
911 GT3 Price (over here) in NL = €229300
911 GT3 price in Canada = €111983 (and the current exchange rate is not that favourable)
The same trick could apply to more models I guess. Am already planning to immigrate.
Nerdherder said:
sidesauce said:
I like the db11 - I think it's a bargain - but they're having a laugh with the V8.
DB11 V8/V12 price difference is not insignificant over here in The Netherlands (NL) at +40K but it's not significant enough to be the primary reason for deciding on either model considering what these (prestige) cars are and the level of financial play prospective owners will need to have.Alledged NL price of the DB11 V8= €230.000
Alledged NL price of DB11 V12 €271.914
(Prices are not openly stated via the importer)
P.s. Let's talk bargains:
911 GT3 Price (over here) in NL = €229300
911 GT3 price in Canada = €111983 (and the current exchange rate is not that favourable)
The same trick could apply to more models I guess. Am already planning to immigrate.
That being said, I do not agree with your argument that 40k isn't significantly enough of a difference for a prospective buyer of a car at this price point in countries with taxation based on engine capacity; 40k is the difference between a 'barebones' V12 and very nicely specced V8...
Also as Bentley, or indeed Mercedes, sales have shown buyers en masse in the UK prefer the V8 versions (AMG S63 sedan/coupe, SL63, Continental V8 etc) to the W12/V12 versions of the aforementioned models available. Why would Aston buyers be any different?
Just because someone is wealthy doesn't mean they must become unnecessarily profligate!
Edited by sidesauce on Thursday 28th September 10:18
Is it me? Love AM's but while the DB11 is ok it's not beautiful like it's predecessor. I have tried to like it (read love it!) but I can't get into it, if you know what I mean. Perhaps it looks better in the flesh? If I had the money (I wish...) I'd go for it's older brother the DB9 or the Vanquish.
Hmm. I think an Aston with a crate engine will be off putting for some, albeit it is from AMG.
Although the previous engines were also sourced from Ford, I think, but cannot say for certain that they were more bespoke, in that the V12 and V8 engines specifically built for Aston Martin could not be found elsewhere, I.e. in Ford cars...
Whilst here, the same engine can be found in a Mercedes.
This distinction is irrational - the factory in cologne was Ford's, for example, however many reasons behind the purchase of luxury goods, including cars, ARE irrational and to have a bespoke engine is important for many (including myself :-)).
So I hope AM got its marketing right about this.
Although the previous engines were also sourced from Ford, I think, but cannot say for certain that they were more bespoke, in that the V12 and V8 engines specifically built for Aston Martin could not be found elsewhere, I.e. in Ford cars...
Whilst here, the same engine can be found in a Mercedes.
This distinction is irrational - the factory in cologne was Ford's, for example, however many reasons behind the purchase of luxury goods, including cars, ARE irrational and to have a bespoke engine is important for many (including myself :-)).
So I hope AM got its marketing right about this.
The only thing I don't like about the engine is the A45/Golf-R style gratuitous farts on every upshift. Why? It's contrived and ridiculous. Please stop this nonsense.
And am I the only person that thinks the DB11 is the least pretty Aston ever? I think it looks flabby and bloated with excessive overhangs and excessive detailing. Sure, it's quite colour sensitive and looks way better in some colours than others, but it's a styling fail from me. I'm hoping the new Vantage is a bit more DB10.
And am I the only person that thinks the DB11 is the least pretty Aston ever? I think it looks flabby and bloated with excessive overhangs and excessive detailing. Sure, it's quite colour sensitive and looks way better in some colours than others, but it's a styling fail from me. I'm hoping the new Vantage is a bit more DB10.
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