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Aston Martin DB11

The Aston Martin DB11 is a two-door grand touring car. It was manufactured as both a coupe and a convertible, the latter known as the "Volante". The British carmaker Aston Martin produced the DB11 from 2016 to 2023 when it was replaced by the DB12. The DB11 succeeded the DB9, which the company made between 2004 and 2016. Designed by Marek Reichman, who became lead designer in May 2005, the DB11 debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2016. The first model of Aston Martin's "second-century plan",[2][3] the DB11—like its predecessor and its platform siblings—incorporates aluminium extensively throughout its body.

Aston Martin DB11
Front 3/4 view of a silver coupe
Overview
ManufacturerAston Martin
ProductionSeptember 2016 – June 2023
AssemblyUnited Kingdom: Gaydon, Warwickshire
DesignerMarek Reichman
Body and chassis
ClassGrand tourer
Body style
LayoutFront mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
DoorsSwan
Related
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission8-speed ZF 8HP75 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase110.4 in (2,804.2 mm)[1]
Length187 in (4,749.8 mm)[1]
Width76.7 in (1,948.2 mm)[1]
Height50.8 in (1,290.3 mm)[1]
Kerb weight
  • 1,875 kg (4,134 lb) (V12 coupé)
  • 1,760 kg (3,880 lb) (V8 coupé)
  • 1,870 kg (4,123 lb) (Volante)
Chronology
PredecessorAston Martin DB9
SuccessorAston Martin DB12

Official manufacture of the DB11 began at the Aston Martin facility in Gaydon, Warwickshire, in September 2016. Two engine configurations of the DB11 were available: a 4.0-litre V8-engine model produced by Mercedes-AMG and a 5.2-litre V12-engine model produced by Aston Martin. The Volante version of the DB11 was introduced in October 2017. In 2018, Aston Martin and its racing division replaced the DB11 V12 with the DB11 V12 AMR, which included an increased engine output. The V8-powered model also received an enhancement in engine performance in 2021.

History

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A front three-quarters view of a silver 2013 facelift DB9 in a dark environment. 
The DB9, which preceded the DB11

The British carmaker[4][5] Aston Martin began producing the DB9—a grand touring car[6]—in January 2004[7][8] at its facility in Gaydon, Warwickshire.[9][10] It was the first car built on the vertical–horizontal platform[11][12]—a design in which all vehicles that used it extensively incorporated aluminium throughout their construction.[13] This platform formed the basis of the Vantage in 2005,[12][14] the DBS in 2007,[15][16] the Rapide in 2010,[17][18] the Vanquish in 2012[19][20] and the Lagonda Taraf in 2014.[21][22]

In 2015, Aston Martin announced that the DB9's successor would be named the "DB11".[23] The upcoming range, known as the "second-century plan", included the DB11 and was to introduce a refreshed design approach directed by Marek Reichman, whom Aston Martin appointed lead designer in May 2005.[24][25][26] Insider reports indicated that this model range aimed to address critiques of the existing lineup by emphasising distinctive differences between the models, aligning them more closely with the prominent Italian luxury automobile manufacturer Ferrari.[25]

Manufacture of the DB9 officially ended in July 2016, after a twelve-year production run during which 16,500 units had been made.[27][28] The DB11 debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2016.[29][30] Official manufacture of the DB11 began on 28 September 2016 at Aston Martin's facility in Gaydon.[31][32] To demonstrate his commitment to quality, Aston Martin's then-CEO, Andy Palmer, personally inspected the first 1,000 cars.[33][34] The Gaydon facility produced the DB11 until it was discontinued at the end of June 2023. It was replaced by the DB12,[35] which was unveiled at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in May.[36][37]

Design

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Rear three-quarters view of a white coupe 
Rear view

Similar to its predecessor,[38][39] the DB11 is based upon a platform—which it shares with the 2018 model Vantage[40] and the DBS Superleggera[41]—that extensively incorporates aluminium throughout its construction.[42] The chassis, in comparison to the DB9, is lighter and stiffer. Its body panels are made of both aluminium and composite materials, and the bonnet is a single-piece unit. Together, the car's flat underbody, rear diffuser and sizable front splitter manage airflow beneath the DB11, minimising lift. The DB11 features an AeroBlade that captures high-speed air at the C-pillars and channels it through ducts under the bodywork, exiting through slots in the boot lid. This system mimics the effects of a large rear spoiler, reducing drag without added bodywork. An extendable active spoiler enhances the AeroBlade's efficiency at high speeds.[24]

The DB11 has been described as both a sports car[43][44][35] and a grand tourer.[45][46][47] It is a two-door coupe that was available only in a four-passenger seating configuration.[48][49] The DB11 has a rear-wheel drive layout with a front-mid-engine placement[50][51] and exclusively uses a rear-mounted, eight-speed automatic transmission made by the technology manufacturing company ZF Friedrichshafen.[52][53] Each DB11 was handcrafted, involving approximately 600 engineers and taking around 250 hours to complete.[53][54] The DB11 features anti-roll bars and double wishbone suspension supported by coil springs.[1] There are three different drive modes available for both the drivetrain and chassis: normal—suitable for daily driving; sport—offering enhanced precision; and Sport+—intensifying the characteristics of the sport mode.[55] The DB11 has a weight distribution of 51 per cent at the front and 49 per cent at the rear. According to the magazine Motor Trend, the DB11 has a combined fuel economy figure of 14 litres per 100 kilometres (20 mpg‑imp; 17 mpg‑US).[56] According to Auto Express, the car has a CO2 emission rating of 270 grams per kilometre (15 oz/mi).[57]

The doors of the DB11, like the DB9,[58] are swan-hinged.[59][note 1] The infotainment system operates on an eight-inch liquid-crystal display accessed via a rotary controller or an optional touchpad. Each DB11 comes with a 400-watt audio system, USB playback, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot with iPhone integration. Upgrades were available for a 700-watt sound system or a 1,000-watt Bang & Olufsen unit.[62][63] The DB11 has a boot capacity of 270 litres (9.5 cu ft).[64]

Variants

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DB11 V12

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Front three-quarters view of a grey coupe 
Aston Martin DB11 AMR

The AE31 twin-turbocharged V12 engine, with a 5,204 cc (5.2 L; 317.6 cu in) displacement, was featured in the initial version of the DB11.[65] It produces a power output of 600 horsepower (450 kW) at 6,500 revolutions per minute (rpm) and a torque output of 700 newton-metres (520 lb⋅ft) between 1,500–5,000 rpm, sufficient to give the car a zero to 97 km/h (60 mph) acceleration of 3.6 seconds and a maximum speed of 320 kilometres per hour (200 mph).[66] Aston Martin began the development of the V12 engine in the summer of 2012 under the leadership of Brian Fitzsimons. The project progressed quickly; initial test firing began in October 2012, and it received approval for production in January 2013. The new V12 engine continues to use conventional fuel injection rather than direct injection due to concerns about the potential increase in particulate emissions associated with direct injection petrol engines.[67] The DB11 V12 can run the quarter mile in 11.7 seconds.[66]

In May 2018, Aston Martin introduced the DB11 Aston Martin Racing (AMR) version, which succeeded the DB11 V12 and offered enhanced performance capabilities compared to its predecessor. The previous DB11 V12 had been in production for eighteen months. The updated DB11 AMR produces a power output of 630 horsepower (470 kW) at 6,500 rpm and a torque output of 700 newton-metres (520 lb⋅ft) at 1,500 rpm, sufficient to give the car a zero to 97 km/h (60 mph) acceleration of 3.7 seconds and a maximum speed of 335 kilometres per hour (208 mph).[62][68] Its shift programming has been revised, its rear suspension is firmer and stiffer, and its twenty-inch forged wheels are 3.5 kilograms (7.7 lb) lighter.[69][70]

Aston Martin introduced a limited edition of 100 DB11 AMR Signature Edition cars at the beginning of production,[71] featuring a Stirling Green paint scheme with lime green accents.[72] It has a zero to 97 km/h (60 mph) acceleration of 3.5 seconds—0.2 seconds faster than the base AMR.[71] Deliveries started in the second quarter of 2018.[71] In July 2021, Aston Martin announced that the AMR name would no longer be used for the V12-powered DB11 as part of their updated model lineup.[73][74]

DB11 V8

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The original V12 model was supplemented by an entry-level V8 version in June 2017.[75] Powered by a 4.0-litre Mercedes-Benz M177 twin-turbocharged V8 engine developed by Mercedes-AMG, this configuration achieves a weight reduction of 115 kilograms (254 lb) compared to the V12 variant, resulting in a total kerb weight of 1,760 kilograms (3,880 lb). In contrast to the V12 model, the DB11 V8 has a weight distribution of 49 per cent at the front and 51 per cent at the rear.[76][77] The V8 engine delivers 503 horsepower (375 kW) and 675 newton-metres (498 lbf⋅ft), providing the car with a zero to 97 km/h (60 mph) in four seconds and a top speed of 301 kilometres per hour (187 mph).[78][79] In July 2021, Aston Martin revealed an upgraded version of the DB11 V8. The power output was increased to 528 horsepower (394 kW), allowing the car to accelerate from zero to 97 km/h (60 mph) in 3.9 seconds and reach a higher top speed of 309 kilometres per hour (192 mph).[73][74]

DB11 Volante

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Front three-quarters view of a light silver convertible 
Rear three-quarters view of a grey convertible 
The DB11 Volante

In October 2017, Aston Martin introduced the DB11 Volante, a convertible version of the DB11.[80] The Volante has a weight distribution of 47 per cent at the front and 53 per cent at the rear, and is powered by the same 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine as the DB11 V8 coupe, albeit with more torque, at 696 newton-metres (513 lbf⋅ft).[81] The DB11 Volante can accelerate from zero to 97 km/h (60 mph) in 4.1 seconds and possesses a maximum speed of 301 kilometres per hour (187 mph).[82] The additional lower body strengthening and the electric roof mechanism in this version increase the weight by approximately 110 kilograms (240 lb).[83]

Reception

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Interior of a luxury coupe, showing a mix of black and beige 
Interior

The DB11 has received mostly positive reviews. The journalist Jeremy Clarkson of The Sunday Times described the car as "phenomenally good", humorously noting, "if you're ever in Paris, at a party at 3 a.m., 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".[84] Reviewing for The Gazette, Peter Bleakney called the DB11 Volante "quite possibly the most beautiful grand tourer money can buy" and a "dynamic gem that wafts as it should yet engages, excites and shines when put on a challenging road".[85] Jack Rix of Top Gear stated that the DB11 marked "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".[86]

Car criticised the DB11 AMR's interior, stating that the "motorised cubbyhole lid feels like it's on its last legs and the infotainment's poor, particularly the [sat]nav", but called it a "beautiful car to look at and to drive—particularly at speed".[87] Matt Saunders of Autocar noted that its door sills are "slimmer than those of the DB9, making ingress easier as you swing your legs over and into the car's deep and roomy-feeling footwell".[88] In 2017, the DB11 won the Golden Steering Wheel award for most beautiful car of that year.[89]

References

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Notes

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  1. ^ Swan-hinged doors are type of vehicle door with an outward and slightly upward opening style.[60] They are essentially standard doors, but they are mounted on a slightly tilted axis to enhance ground clearance.[61]

Citations

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  1. ^ a b c d e "2023 Aston Martin DB11 V8 coupe features and specs". Car and Driver.
  2. ^ Davies 2016.
  3. ^ "Aston Martin DB11: What the experts are saying". The Boston Globe.
  4. ^ "Luxury tower will bear British carmaker's name". The Miami Herald.
  5. ^ "Ford's idea would increase Astons". Newsday.
  6. ^ Abidin 2024.
  7. ^ Loveys 2015, p. 43.
  8. ^ Taylor 2024, p. 243.
  9. ^ "Getting their first look at the Aston Martin DB9". Palm Beach Daily News.
  10. ^ "Eight great newcomers make Frankfurt debut". The Daily Telegraph.
  11. ^ Zoellter 2011.
  12. ^ a b Taylor 2024, p. 210.
  13. ^ "Shaken and stirred by the new Rapide". The Independent.
  14. ^ "New Aston Martin V8 Vantage to join flagship Vanquish S V12, DB9 convertible". Palm Beach Daily News.
  15. ^ "'Bondmobile' drops in from the big screen". The Atlanta Constitution.
  16. ^ Durham 2007.
  17. ^ "First Aston Martin Rapide rolls out of the factory". Automotive News Europe.
  18. ^ Migliore 2009.
  19. ^ Pollard 2012.
  20. ^ "Gripping performance in the lap of luxury". The Ottawa Citizen.
  21. ^ "Car review: Lagonda Taraf". The Australian.
  22. ^ Duff 2015, pp. 44–49.
  23. ^ Pollard 2015.
  24. ^ a b Gitlin 2017.
  25. ^ a b Holloway 2014.
  26. ^ Dowsey 2010, p. 318.
  27. ^ Noakes 2019, p. 190.
  28. ^ Top Gear 2016.
  29. ^ "Full speed at Geneva Show". Greenock Telegraph.
  30. ^ "Aston Martin, other models, ready to shake, stir public". The Post-Cresent.
  31. ^ Beckwith 2016.
  32. ^ "Aston Martin agrees deal to make electric vehicles with US firm Lucid". The Guardian.
  33. ^ Sheehan 2016.
  34. ^ Bremner 2016.
  35. ^ a b Elliott 2023.
  36. ^ Lang 2023.
  37. ^ Barraclough 2023.
  38. ^ Dowsey 2010, p. 268.
  39. ^ Noakes 2019, p. 187.
  40. ^ Stevens 2018.
  41. ^ Top Gear 2018.
  42. ^ Saunders 2024.
  43. ^ "Aston Martin starts new-product blitz to raise profile". Detroit Free Press.
  44. ^ "The 2019 Aston Martin DB11 AMR can tackle short straights, fast sweepers and tight hairpins with ease". The Gazette.
  45. ^ "Aston Martin readying overhauled DB11 grand tourer". The Canberra Times.
  46. ^ "Extreme joy". The Ottawa Citizen.
  47. ^ "Aston's pinnacle of performance". The West Australian.
  48. ^ Rehbock 2023.
  49. ^ Savov 2016.
  50. ^ "Aston Martin DB11 V12: Epic appeal". Jordan Times.
  51. ^ Lee 2018.
  52. ^ "As extreme as almost any super sports car". National Post.
  53. ^ a b "2017 Aston Martin DB11". The Leader-Post.
  54. ^ Lanxon 2017.
  55. ^ Sutcliffe 2018.
  56. ^ Lieberman 2017.
  57. ^ "Aston Martin DB11 MPG, CO2 emissions, road tax & insurance groups". Auto Express.
  58. ^ "When the lion roars, lesser beats scatter". The Toronto Star.
  59. ^ "2017 Aston Martin DB11". San Diego Union-Tribune.
  60. ^ DeMuro 2016.
  61. ^ Horncastle 2015.
  62. ^ a b Irwin & Stafford 2023.
  63. ^ "Gallery: 2019 Aston Martin DB11 Volante details". Autoweek.
  64. ^ "Aston Martin DB11 (2017-2023)–practicality, comfort and boot space". Auto Express.
  65. ^ Petrány 2016.
  66. ^ a b Quiroga 2017.
  67. ^ Rendell 2016.
  68. ^ Carson 2018.
  69. ^ Marriage 2018.
  70. ^ Katsianis 2018.
  71. ^ a b c Whiteley 2018.
  72. ^ Baker 2018.
  73. ^ a b Page 2021.
  74. ^ a b Miller 2021.
  75. ^ "V8 advantage – Aston Martin launches 'more affordable' V8 DB11 grand tourer". The Daily Telegraph.
  76. ^ Barry 2017.
  77. ^ Ashraf 2017.
  78. ^ Brodie 2017.
  79. ^ Duff 2017.
  80. ^ Tisshaw 2017.
  81. ^ Jurnecka 2018.
  82. ^ Barry 2018.
  83. ^ "Aston Martin DB11 Volante review: a top-notch convertible for under $400K". Australian Financial Review.
  84. ^ "The Clarkson review: 2016 Aston Martin DB11". The Sunday Times.
  85. ^ "Dynamic gem exudes beauty, performance". The Gazette.
  86. ^ Rix 2016a.
  87. ^ Miller 2021a.
  88. ^ Saunders 2016.
  89. ^ Allan 2017.

Bibliography

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  • Duff, Mike (3 February 2015). "Lagonda, not forgotten". Autocar. No. 6188. pp. 44–49. ISSN 1355-8293.

Websites

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News

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Books

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