Aston Martin DB11 gets Mercedes V8

Sprouting from the technology partnership between Mercedes-AMG and Aston Martin, a new DB11 was revealed with a twin-turbo 4.0-litre Mercedes-AMG V8 at the Goodwood Festival of speed. The DB11 was originally available with a 5.2-litre twin-turbo Aston Martin V12, and the V8 will slot in under it.

Visually, the DB11 V8 looks similar to the V12 apart from a few changes. The hood now has two vents instead of four in the V12. A unique set of alloys and dark bezels around the headlamps are also added to the visual package.

The V8 engine from the Mercedes parts bin is slightly modified by Aston Martin before being placed inside the DB11. The engine is reprogrammed and the throttle mapping is revised. A new set of engine mounts is used to place the engine as close to the ground as possible for a lower center of gravity. The suspension bushings, dampers, anti-roll bars, springs and ESP software are revised to fit the smaller engine.

The Mercedes V8 churns out 503 hp and 695 Nm of torque, which along with the 114-kilo weight savings, propels the car from 0-100 kph in 4 seconds, just 0.1 seconds slower than the V12. The top speed is a healthy 300 kph. As the weight is shaved off from the front of the car, the weight distribution is improved, which results in improved dynamics.

The Aston Martin DB11 V8 will cost US$ 198,995 (Dhs 732,000) in the United States, down from US$ 211,995 (Dhs 780,000) for the V12 model. That’s only a Dhs 50,000 difference between the two. In the UAE, the DB11 V12 starts at Dhs 945,000.