Automotive

DB11 becomes the first Aston Martin with a Mercedes-AMG heart

DB11 becomes the first Aston Martin with a Mercedes-AMG heart
The new V8 DB11 still looks like an Aston Martin
The new V8 DB11 still looks like an Aston Martin 
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The new V8 DB11 still looks like an Aston Martin
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The new V8 DB11 still looks like an Aston Martin 
The nose of the V8 DB11 is significantly lighter than the V12
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The nose of the V8 DB11 is significantly lighter than the V12 
The V8 in the new DB11 is borrowed from Mercedes-AMG
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The V8 in the new DB11 is borrowed from Mercedes-AMG 
The V8 DB11 will hit 100 km/h in 4 seconds
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The V8 DB11 will hit 100 km/h in 4 seconds 
We wouldn't go with purple for the interior, but there are plenty of options on the DB11
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We wouldn't go with purple for the interior, but there are plenty of options on the DB11
The interior on the DB11 uses Mercedes electronics
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The interior on the DB11 uses Mercedes electronics 
The new DB11 V8 will be on show at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
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The new DB11 V8 will be on show at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 
The basic shape of the DB11 is unchanged in the change from V12 to V8
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The basic shape of the DB11 is unchanged in the change from V12 to V8
The V8 in the DB11 shaves more than 100 kg from the V12's kerb weight
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The V8 in the DB11 shaves more than 100 kg from the V12's kerb weight 
Say hello to the first Mercedes-engined Aston Martin
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Say hello to the first Mercedes-engined Aston Martin
The V8 DB11 has darker headlamp bezels than the V12
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The V8 DB11 has darker headlamp bezels than the V12
That AMV8 number plate isn't an accident...
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That AMV8 number plate isn't an accident...
The V8 DB11 poking its head through the alleyways
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The V8 DB11 poking its head through the alleyways 
The beautiful brake lights on the DB11
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The beautiful brake lights on the DB11 
The devil is in the detail when it comes to the DB11
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The devil is in the detail when it comes to the DB11
The V8 DB11 gets unique alloy wheels
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The V8 DB11 gets unique alloy wheels 
The V8 DB11 is powered by an AMG engine, but Aston Martin is adamant it will feel British
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The V8 DB11 is powered by an AMG engine, but Aston Martin is adamant it will feel British
The shape of the DB11 has been honed by the air
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The shape of the DB11 has been honed by the air 
New wheels for the DB11 V8
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New wheels for the DB11 V8
The Mercedes-AMG heart of the new Aston Martin DB11
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The Mercedes-AMG heart of the new Aston Martin DB11
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Launched last year, the DB11 was the first Aston Martin to arrive after the brand began its technical partnership with Mercedes-AMG. The shared knowledge doesn't extend beyond the infotainment system in the V12 DB11, but a new addition to the lineup takes Anglo-German relations to new heights. Meet the DB11 V8, the first Aston with an AMG heart.

Although it gives up four cylinders and 1200cc of displacement to the flagship V12, the new V8 DB11 is no slouch. It still produces 503 hp (375 kW) and 675 Nm of torque, and shoots to 100 km/h (62 mph) in four seconds flat. That's just 0.1 seconds slower than the V12 completes the same sprint, although the new car is 14 mph (23 km/h) slower on a top speed run.

Where the smaller engine really shines is on an economy run, returning 9.9 L/100 km (28 mph) on the combined cycle. The engine displaces (ever so slightly) less than four liters, which also makes it significantly cheaper to register in China, where road tax is based on engine size. Coincidence? Certainly not.

The Mercedes-AMG heart of the new Aston Martin DB11
The Mercedes-AMG heart of the new Aston Martin DB11

To make sure DB11s fitted with the Mercedes engine feel (and perform) like a true Aston, the engineers in Gaydon have fitted a bespoke air intake, a new exhaust and wet sump lubrication. A unique software map should make the DB11 feel different to, say, the E63 AMG and AMG GT with which it shares an engine.

If you can look past the fact it's a Mercedes engine, the V8 in the latest DB11 is likely to make for a sharper handling car. The cheaper car is a whopping 115 kg (254 lb) lighter than the more powerful model, and Aston Martin says new engine mounts have allowed it set the engine lower for better weight distribution. It also sits further back in the wheelbase.

To capitalize, there are new suspension bushings, anti-roll bars, dampers and revised tuning for the stability control. There's no doubt this is still more of a grand tourer than a true sports car – it weighs 1,760 kg (3,880 lb) – but every little bit counts, and some buyers are likely to appreciate the sharper front end.

That AMV8 number plate isn't an accident...
That AMV8 number plate isn't an accident...

From the outside, there are a few small touches to separate the cheaper DB11 from its more expensive brothers, but you'd need to be a trainspotter to notice them. New alloy wheels and darker headlamps are the biggest changes, while the bonnet now has two vents instead of four. The vents can be finished in black or titanium mesh, both of which are unique to the V8.

The interior is unchanged from the big V12, and anyone desperate to stand out from the crowd can still call on a huge range of paint, roof, wheel and interior finishes. Q by Aston Martin is also on hand to bring wilder, less conventional desires to life. The purple interior pictured in the (stunning) gallery is one example of what can be done given enough money, desire and patience.

The new DB11 will make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and prices will start at £144,900 (or US$198,995). Deliveries start in Q4 of this year.

Source: Aston Martin

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guzmanchinky
Seen one in person here in Newport Beach, stunning.