Aston Martin DB11: The Second Century
For over a decade, the Aston Martin DB9 served as the elegant, naturally aspirated backbone of the British marque. It was universally praised for its beauty, but as the years progressed, its underlying VH (Vertical/Horizontal) chassis architecture and aging technology struggled to compete with modern rivals from Bentley and Ferrari.
Aston Martin needed a revolution. In 2016, they unveiled the first product of their ambitious “Second Century Plan”: the Aston Martin DB11.
The DB11 was not a facelift or a subtle evolution. It was a completely clean-sheet design. It debuted an entirely new bonded aluminum chassis, a brand-new in-house designed twin-turbo V12 engine, and a completely overhauled electronic architecture sourced from their new partners at Mercedes-Benz. It was the most important car Aston Martin had launched since the DB9, and it successfully redefined what a modern British Grand Tourer should be.
The Design: Aerodynamics Disguised as Art
Under the direction of Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman, the DB11 maintained the classic Aston Martin proportions—a long hood, a swept-back cabin, and a short rear deck—but applied a much sharper, more modern aesthetic.
However, the true genius of the DB11’s design lies in how it handles aerodynamics. Rather than sticking a massive, ugly spoiler on the back of the car, Aston Martin integrated the aerodynamic aids directly into the bodywork to maintain its elegant silhouette.
- The “Curlicue”: Behind the front wheels, hidden within the iconic Aston Martin side strake, is a gill-like vent called the curlicue. This vent extracts high-pressure air from the front wheel arches, significantly reducing front-end lift at high speeds without the need for an aggressive front splitter.
- The Aeroblade: This is the DB11’s party piece. Air is channeled through discrete intakes located at the base of the C-pillars. This air flows inside the rear bodywork and is forced out through a narrow slot in the rear decklid. This creates a vertical jet of high-pressure air that acts as a “virtual spoiler,” pressing the rear of the car down at high speeds. A small active Gurney flap deploys only at very high speeds to assist the Aeroblade.
The result is a car that is aerodynamically stable at 200 mph but looks completely clean and uncorrupted when parked outside a hotel in Monaco.
The Heart: The 5.2L Twin-Turbo V12
The most controversial aspect of the DB11 prior to its launch was the engine. For the first time in the DB lineage, Aston Martin was forced to abandon natural aspiration in favor of forced induction to meet tightening global emissions regulations.
Purists worried that the turbochargers would mute the legendary Aston Martin V12 howl. They needn’t have worried. Aston Martin designed a brand-new, in-house 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 (internally designated AE31).
The engine produces 608 PS (600 bhp) at 6,500 rpm and a massive 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque available from just 1,500 rpm. This wave of low-end torque completely transformed the driving characteristics of the car compared to the DB9, allowing for effortless, surging overtaking maneuvers without needing to drop three gears.
Crucially, the engineers spent countless hours tuning the exhaust to ensure it still sounded like an Aston Martin. While it lacks the high-pitched shriek of the old 6.0L engine, it possesses a deep, complex, and incredibly angry roar that is undeniably aristocratic.
Power is routed to the rear wheels via a rear-mounted 8-speed ZF automatic transaxle, providing perfect 51:49 weight distribution. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes 3.9 seconds, and the top speed is a verified 322 km/h (200 mph).
The AMG V8 Option
In 2017, Aston Martin broadened the DB11’s appeal by introducing a second engine option: a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 sourced from Mercedes-AMG.
Producing 510 PS, the V8 was less powerful than the V12, but it was also 115 kg (253 lbs) lighter, and that weight was removed almost entirely from the front axle. Many driving enthusiasts and automotive journalists actually preferred the V8 model, arguing that the lighter nose made the car significantly more agile and willing to change direction on a winding road, turning the DB11 from a pure cruiser into a genuine sports GT.
A Modern Interior
The interior of the DB11 marked the end of Aston Martin’s reliance on outdated electronics. Thanks to their technical partnership with Mercedes-Benz, the DB11 adopted a heavily customized version of the Mercedes COMAND infotainment system, featuring a sharp 8-inch central screen and a fully digital 12-inch instrument cluster.
Despite the German electronics, the cabin ambiance remained distinctly British. The interior is swathed in vast quantities of hand-stitched Bridge of Weir leather, intricate brogue detailing, and beautiful open-pore wood or carbon fiber trims. It is a supremely comfortable place to spend hundreds of miles at a time.
The AMR Evolution
In 2018, Aston Martin replaced the standard V12 model with the DB11 AMR (Aston Martin Racing). The AMR received a power bump to 639 PS, a louder exhaust system, and heavily revised suspension tuning. The AMR addressed early criticisms that the original V12 was slightly too soft, tightening body control without ruining the ride quality.
The Aston Martin DB11 successfully carried the brand into its second century. It managed the incredibly difficult task of embracing modern technology—turbocharging, digital interfaces, and complex aerodynamics—while retaining the soul, beauty, and emotional appeal that defines an Aston Martin.