Manufacturer Aston Martin Assembly Gaydon, England Class Grand tourer (S) | Production 2016–present Designer Marek Reichman Body style 2-door coupé | |
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The Aston Martin DB11 is a British grand tourer coupe produced by Aston Martin since 2016. It debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2016, as a replacement to the DB9. It is the first model launched in Aston Martin's 'second century' plan and the first all-new car launched since the company's tie-up with Daimler AG.
Contents
The DB11 is powered by an all-new 5204 cc twin-turbo V12 engine, making it the first turbocharged series-production Aston Martin. The engine produces 600 bhp (447 kW; 608 PS) and 516 lb·ft (700 N·m). The car is equipped with a rear-mounted 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox. The DB11 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds and reaches 322 km/h (200 mph). A smaller 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine developed with Mercedes-AMG is also expected to be put into the DB11 in the future.
Production
During the DB11 coupe premiere, over 1,400 DB11 vehicles were ordered. Production officially started on 28 September 2016. CEO Andy Palmer will be inspecting the first 1,000 cars that roll off the production line, in a leadership commitment to quality and service.
As of December, 2016, Aston had already built as many DB11s as DB5s (1019 on 23 December).
Design
The DB11 was designed by Marek Reichman, Aston’s chief creative officer and head of design. It continues the tradition of design focused on 1:3 proportions and includes a number of new and unique design features, including new roof strakes that separate the body from the roof, available in black or body colour and the "Aeroblade" intakes in the front strakes. These evolve the side strakes from purely visual to functional and channel turbulent air down the side of the car and into intake ducts by the C pillars and forced out at the rear vertically as a 'virtual' spoiler, providing down-force.
The bonnet is a 'clam-shell' design from the only supplier Aston could find to supply a large, single piece of aluminium.
Press Reaction
The reaction from the motoring press reviews has been overwhelmingly positive, including statements like "it’s a pretty fabulous way to sit behind 600 horsepower", "If there is a GT car with a better chassis, I have not driven it.", "A solid start to a future portfolio that will be studded with flashier and faster members than this, but none that are quite so suited to being enjoyed every day, wherever you’re heading.".
Finally, Jeremy Clarkson says: "If you’re ever in Paris, at a party at 3am, and suddenly remember you are playing in a tennis tournament in Monte Carlo the next afternoon, this is the car for the job. You’d arrive feeling like you’d just got out of the bath.". "It’s not just a pretty face. This is an extremely good car. Phenomenally good. But there is a price to pay . . ." (he did not like the interior in the car he tested).