On the road with Aston's new DB11

Aston Martin’s crucial new GT car put to the test.

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4 October 2016

The hotly-anticipated Aston Martin DB11 has been a long time coming. It’s not only the first all-new DB in more than a decade, it’s also one of the most important new Astons ever: the £154,900 DB11 is the car it will use to launch its ‘second century’ revival masterplan.

And what a technologically advanced car the new DB11 is. Using an all-new aluminium platform, it adds turbocharging to the big V12 engine for the first time, feature-packed electric power steering, a multi-link rear suspension with adaptive damping, torque vectoring by braking – all brand-first features that have been made possible by a new technical relationship with German giant Daimler.

It’s visually a big step on, with a new design direction that appears more elegant, more imposing and more naturally-proportioned than previous models. It’s both more aggressive than older Astons, yet graceful and packed with trademark Aston Martin details. Intelligent aerodynamics also feature: instead of a rear wing, there’s a virtual ‘aeroblade’ spoiler, and vents in the front wings hide yet more active aerodynamics.

The new 5.2-litre V12 produces, with the aid of turbocharging, an impressive 600bhp and it has much more pulling power than the previous 5.9-litre non-turbo V12. It’s far more flexible throughout the rev range and the smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic gearbox complements it well. Aston even fits fuel-saving cylinder deactivation, which shuts down half the engine when cruising.

It’s an extremely impressive performer. We clocked 0-60mph in 4.0sec and 0-100mph in 8.4sec: despite weighing more than the slender DB9, it’s a huge step on. Despite being turbocharged, it responds instantly, and pleasingly, it still sounds like a real V12. The turbos also give it a laid-back, unstressed GT-cruiser feel that really suits the Aston character.

And dynamically, it’s the firm’s most complete GT car ever. It manages to combine an extraordinarily good ride quality with flat, eager cornering plus the ability to ‘breathe’ elegantly over undulating roads with immense sophistication and composure. It’s well balanced in corners, is deceptively rapid over challenging roads and, on track, is a far more able sports car than you’d ever expect given its elegance on-road. We even like the electromechanical steering, even if it is just a bit lighter than we’d prefer.

Inside, the lighter, stiffer platform yields more room, giving a much better driving position and a little more space behind the front seats for children (Isofix mounts are fitted for the first time). It’s much easier to get in and out as well. The cockpit is beautifully designed, with expensive-feeling fittings clothed in rich leather. The Mercedes components are apparent but blend in well and endow the new DB11 with some really advanced new gadgets.

Aston Martin fits the 8.0in infotainment screen as standard; it’s operated by a touch-sensitive trackpad familiar from a Mercedes. The standard sat nav is immeasurably better than before. Even the regular audio system packs 400W; you can upgrade it to 700W or 1000W. DAB, Bluetooth media streaming and wi-fi are all included. Further back, the boot is almost twice as large as before.

The DB11 is newly competitive in terms of running costs as well. Our number-crunchers reckon the Aston is a more competitive buy than most of its rivals, thanks to low depreciation and the newfound economy of that V12 engine.

All of which makes the new Aston Martin DB11 our pick of the GT cars in this price bracket. We can’t think of a single rival we’d rather drive. It’s fantastic on the road, beautiful to sit in and the striking styling will win new fans. It’s an outstanding achievement that will please both traditionalists and brand converts alike: if this is a taste of things to come from Aston Martin, the future really is bright.

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On the road with Aston's new DB11

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