The smaller capacity twin-turbo V8 is sourced from Mercedes-AMG.
Aston Martin has plonked a smaller engine in its flagship grand tourer – the DB11. The new powertrain is sourced from AMG, Mercedes’ in-house performance division, as a part of the ongoing technical collaboration between the two European brands.
The engine in-focus here is AMG’s 4.0-litre V8 petrol motor – the same one which propels the Mercedes-AMG GT S, a car that thoroughly impressed autoX when we reviewed it. However, the British car maker has had its engineers Aston-ify Mercedes’ engine. As a result, Aston Martin’s version of this motor gets new engine mounts, a custom air intake and its own bespoke ECU calibration.
The resultant output of the engine for DB11 stands at 503bhp of maximum power and 675Nm of peak torque – which is around 97bhp and 24Nm short of the fatter V12 equipped DB11. However, the smaller motor’s performance prowess isn’t that off from the V12’s. 100km/h from a standstill is dismissed in 4 seconds flat – just 0.1 second shy of the bigger engine’s number. The V8 DB11 is also capable of maxing out at 300km/h – again not too far from the V12’s 320km/h.
The V8 powered DB11 is a considerable 115kg leaner that the V12 DB11 – which explains why it inches so close to the bigger engined car's performance despite housing four less cylinders. Also, the engine placement on the V8 is comparatively lower because of different engine mounts and a custom slimline wet sump. This engine placement is also supposed to amplify the DB11’s dynamic capabilities, as the smaller engine sits closer to the middle of the car’s wheelbase – aiding its agility.
There are a few aesthetic changes to the V8 DB11 to tell the world that it’s the ‘less powerful’ version. For instance, the alloy wheel design is different and the hood vents on the V8 are two instead of four on the V12. However, the cabin is carried forward unchanged.
The Aston Martin V8 DB11 will make its physical debut at the Goodwood festival of Speed 2017, which starts on June 29. Prices in the UK will start from £144,900 (Rs. 1.20 crore). While the car is expected to hit Indian shores, the Indian pricing will be much more inflated all thanks to the taxes on CBUs.
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