The V8-powered Aston Martin DB11 has made its official debut – the first of many cars from the British automaker that will receive an engine sourced from Mercedes’ AMG performance arm.
The DB11 gives consumers a little extra choice when shopping for the grand tourer. In place of the 600 horsepower 5.2-liter V12 is a 4.0-liter AMG V8, which is making a healthy 503 horsepower and 513 lb-ft of torque. And while the engine is built by AMG, Aston engineers were heavily involved in its implantation into the DB11, making their own air intake, exhaust and wet-sump lubrication systems so they could mount it as low in the vehicle as possible. In addition, they used their own unique calibration settings to ensure it drives and sounds like a typical Aston Martin product.
The more compact nature of the V8 versus the V12 has also helped the V8 DB11 shed some weight. A full 253 lbs lighter than the V12 model, the DB11 V8 tips the scales at 3,880 lbs. These weight savings, along with the lower mounting point and some suspension revisions, means the DB11 V8 is more agile than the V12 and better suited to those who want a comfortable GT car with a “sporting bias,” the automaker says.
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You’ll be able to tell the DB11 V8 apart from the V12 model by the dual-vented hood, as opposed to the V12 model’s quadruple vent setup, along with its alloy finish wheels and dark headlamp bezels. Apart from this, Aston says DB11 V8 customers and DB11 V12 customers will “have the same standard equipment levels and the same extensive choice of colour and trim options.”
“The DB11 is the most complete and sophisticated car Aston Martin has ever made,” company CEO Andy Palmer said in a statement. “Now, with this new V8 engine, we have broadened its appeal by offering a car that’s more affordable while still bless with the exceptional performance and memorable character that sets Aston Martin apart from its rivals.”
The automaker has yet to announce pricing or availability for its first AMG-powered model. You can expect it to undercut the DB11 V12, however, which starts at $214,820 in the U.S.
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