2018 Aston Martin DB11 V8 revealed

[68_427]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2dqaTG3dC8

SUBLIME CHOICES: DB11 NOW OFFERED WITH V8 ENGINE

 DB11 now available with choice of twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 or 5.2-liter V12 engines
 First Aston Martin model to receive Mercedes-AMG supplied power unit
 All engine calibration and installation handled in-house by Aston Martin
 New V8 delivers 503bhp and 513lb.ft of torque


28 June 2017, Gaydon: After its successful global introduction in 2016, Aston Martin's definitive GT - the acclaimed DB11 - is now available with a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. Perfectly complementing the DB11's existing 5.2-liter twin turbocharged V12 engine, this new powerplant has provided the opportunity to reveal more of the DB11's sporting character, while expanding its global appeal with a combination of exceptional performance and improved efficiency.


Producing 503bhp and 513lb.ft of torque, the V8 engine's potency is beyond question, propelling the DB11 from 0-62mph in just 4.0sec and on to a top speed of 187mph.


The V8-powered DB11 is the first Aston Martin to receive an engine supplied by technical partners, Mercedes-AMG. The inherent qualities of this light, compact and characterful power unit make it the ideal choice to sit alongside the existing V12 engine. Aston Martin's engineering team has been entirely responsible for the engine's installation, tailoring it perfectly for its application in the DB11 with bespoke air intake, exhaust and wet sump lubrication systems.


Aston Martin has also been responsible for the electronic calibration of the V8 engine, creating new ECU software and reprogramming the engine and throttle mapping to ensure it possesses the all-important feel and sound for which Aston Martins are renowned.


With its rich reserves of effortless performance, the V12-engined DB11 already fulfills the role of consummate high-performance luxury Grand Tourer. This provided the ideal opportunity to explore the more dynamic side of the DB11's character and capabilities with the V8-engine option.


To this end Aston Martin engineers designed new engine mounts, which together with the bespoke, slimline wet sump system enables the V8 to be mounted as low as possible for an optimised centre-of-gravity. The V8 engine is also lighter and more compact than the V12, which contributes to a saving of 253lb and a kerbweight of 3880lb.


With more of that mass centred within the wheelbase, the V8-engined DB11 has an increased sense of agility - a quality that has been fully exploited with detailed revisions to the suspension bushing, geometry, anti-roll bars, springs, dampers and ESP software. By carefully crafting its dynamic character to be distinct from that of the V12, the V8 appeals to those customers drawn to a refined and comfortable GT with a more sporting bias.
There are subtle visual differences between the two variants that include a unique alloy wheel finish, dark headlamp bezels and a pair of bonnet vents instead of the quartet featured on the V12. These vents come in a choice of black or titanium-finish mesh, again different from that fitted to the twelve-cylinder variant.


Inside, both V8 and V12 customers have the same standard equipment levels and the same extensive choice of colour and trim options. They can also elect to enhance the specification of their car via the same Option Packs and Designer Specification packages, plus a suite of Q by Aston Martin - Collection options.


Aston Martin President and CEO, Dr Andy Palmer said of the V8-engined DB11: "The DB11 is the most complete and sophisticated car Aston Martin has ever made. Now, with this new V8 engine option we have broadened its appeal by offering a car that's more affordable while still blessed with the exceptional performance and memorable character that sets Aston Martin apart from its rivals. I'm particularly proud that this car is the first to receive an engine supplied by our technical partner, Mercedes-AMG. Not least because thanks to the nature of our relationship with AMG we have been given complete freedom to tailor this exceptional power unit so that it meets the particular needs and demands of an Aston Martin."


Aston Martin Chief Technical Officer, Max Szwaj, commented: "As an engineer I find the DB11 a fascinating car. One with great depth of character and ability. Of course the V12-engined variant is an icon - an ultimate, if you like, but the V8 is very much its own car. One with a distinct and carefully crafted character that's truly seductive. It has been hugely rewarding to put our stamp on this new engine - both in the way it sounds and performs - and to use its impressive attributes as the impetus to reveal a little more of the DB11's sporting character. To be able to offer not one, but two exceptional GT cars is terrific for Aston Martin and our customers."


The V8-powered DB11 is on sale now with a recommended retail price from $198,995 in the US. Deliveries will commence in Qtr 4 2017. The new V8-powered DB11 will make its dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK, this weekend.

[68_427]

That rev at the end of the video sounds really nice.  I hope that is in fact how it sounds.  It's nice they differentiated themselves from AMG with a more sophisticated sound.

That combined with a weight savings of 250lbs off the nose makes this more compelling than I thought possible.

[FoMoJo]

A real beauty.

[Raza]

That's hot.  Not as pretty as the DB9, but sexy as fuck.

[MexicoCityM3]

So beautiful.

[giant_mtb]

Interior has some quirks...like the weirdly angled air vents that make the whole dashboard look like it needs to sneeze.  Bleh.  And that color...

Other than that...once again, Aston does no wrong.

[BimmerM3]

As pretty as they are, I'm starting to get bored of the same basic design being reused for every Aston model since like 2001.

Also, that blue/purple leather is hideous.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

NICE!

[FoMoJo]

Interior has some quirks...like the weirdly angled air vents that make the whole dashboard look like it needs to sneeze.  Bleh.  And that color...

Other than that...once again, Aston does no wrong.

Exterior looks great but, yes, the dash does look a bit cock-eyed.

[cawimmer430]

Beautiful exterior. 

Interior looks a little dull.

[12,000 RPM]

Outside of the Vantage, I think getting a V12 is a moral obligation with an Aston. If I want a V8-TT GT I'd get an AMG GT

[MexicoCityM3]

I'd be more than happy with this 500hp V8.

[Submariner]

I would have full on intimate relations with this car.

[MX793]

Outside of the Vantage, I think getting a V12 is a moral obligation with an Aston. If I want a V8-TT GT I'd get an AMG GT

Unlike Ferrari, Aston actually has very little V12 H&H.  They traditionally used I6s until the very late 70s, when they converted to V8s.  It wasn't until the '99 DB7 V12 that Aston even had a V12 in the lineup.

[12,000 RPM]

Its not so much about H&H as much as the V12's days are numbered. We have to buy up all the ones we can. I can get a V8 in a Mustang for $33K

[BimmerM3]

Its not so much about H&H as much as the V12's days are numbered. We have to buy up all the ones we can. I can get a V8 in a Mustang for $33K

I have a V8 in my Explorer, so apparently there's no reason why I would buy any other V8 car. #sportyLogic

[68_427]

An hour delay in the Goodwood Festival of Speed schedule gave me plenty of time to chat with my chaperone for the morning, Andy Curtis. The Aston Martin chief instructor – who is also head of the Vulcan training programme – sat beside me in the all-new V8 DB11 that would soon take us up the hill.

Because this was going to be my first high-speed experience of Lord March's driveway, the course's dreaded hay bales and flint wall lurked in the back of my mind. But Curtis looked unfazed by the challenge that lay ahead and was keen to talk about the benefits of this V8 model over its V12 sibling – namely, its lighter weight.

He said the biggest improvements come with the 4.0-litre V8 model's weight distribution, which is now 49/51 front to rear versus the 51/49 of the 5.9-litre V12 DB11. But the new car is also 115kg lighter thanks to its Mercedes-AMG-sourced heart, which, on paper, makes for lots of potential.

Does that translate into a true Aston Martin experience? We'll have to wait to drive it for a definitive answer, but from the passenger seat, it certainly sounds good. Maybe not as throaty as a naturally aspirated V8 Vantage but far from something that would make you beg for four more cylinders.

With quoted outputs of 503bhp and 598lb ft, the V8 barely falls short of its bigger-engined sibling (which has an extra 97bhp but 82lb ft less) so the V8 car feels every bit as quick as the V12. It feels nimble, too, and on the hill course, the engine's responses make it easy to forget that this is actually a twin-turbocharged unit.

Despite being in the only V8 DB11 at Goodwood, Curtis didn't hang about on our run – so much so that the time between his start-line showboating to pulling into the world's greatest car park passed in a flash.

[r0tor]

That front fender vent is so damn distracting

[Cookie Monster]

That front fender vent is so damn distracting

Yeah I'm not a fan at all.

[12,000 RPM]

[r0tor]

That's almost as distracting, but balanced out by the wing...

[BimmerM3]

That's a wide-body kit, right? Kinda hard to tell from that angle, but those front tires look insanely wide.

[68_427]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ9FKXW6vJc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLsp5_xkVa4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4cHlir_ZkY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqgdGsBZo78

[12,000 RPM]

V12 is endangered species. Protect it at all costs like Lil B

[Xer0]

The TT V8 saves something like 254 lbs off of the front which is insane.  I saw a new DB11 rolling around a couple weeks ago and the thing is achingly gorgeous, as expected.  Can't wait to see final production Vantages.

[12,000 RPM]

Fuck, 250lb off the nose is a lot. God damn, that is probably more than my Civic's longblock + transmission.

[MrH]

Meh.  This car does nothing for me.  The V12 was supposed to be crappy to actually drive.  I don't find it particularly good looking either honestly.  I'm more interested in something like the NSX or LC500.

[MX793]

Meh.  This car does nothing for me.  The V12 was supposed to be crappy to actually drive.  I don't find it particularly good looking either honestly.  I'm more interested in something like the NSX or LC500.

Chris Harris seemed to be pretty impressed with how the V12 DB11 drove.

[68_427]

Chris Harris seemed to be pretty impressed with how the V12 DB11 drove.

Most reviewers are.  Sure they weren't in "Best Driver's Car" but that's because the car isn't aimed towards that crowd.

Also interesting is that both of these engines are going into the Vantage.  I know which one I'd get based on these reviews and it's not even close.

[12,000 RPM]

Meh.  This car does nothing for me.  The V12 was supposed to be crappy to actually drive.  I don't find it particularly good looking either honestly.  I'm more interested in something like the NSX or LC500.

Wait, we are allowed to have negative opinions of cars based on nothing but reviews now? Good to know

LC500 is not in this space (half the price, 2/3 the cylinders/HP, about as fast as a 15 year old M3). NSX sucks; pretty much any sports car that costs more than 100K is as fast, has similar build quality, and will probably weigh a couple hundred lbs less. What is the case for an NSX vs a Carrera S PDK or GT-R Track Edition? And I hate the GT-R. The technology? What does the tech matter if it doesn't yield more performance or a better driving experience?

And comparing the DB11 to something like an NSX misses the point. It's a big GT, not a sports car. It compares to the CL & Continental GT. In that space it's easily the best choice IMO. If I had to pick a car to go cross country with wifey in I can't think of a better choice.