This time, I'll start with a question. I'm standing next to an Aston Martin DB11 as you can see, and Aston Martin is clearly trying to deliver beautiful products.
Everybody already liked their previous designs, the DB9, Vanquish, DBS, but now they're really tried to make the most beautiful piece of machinery of them all.
So, my question: do you guys feel the same way about the design? Or are you guys more like: "I don't really care for this one", that's also possible. I'm curious...
I think it's stunning. It looks even more aggressive than the DB9, even though they've kept the typical Aston-style.
For example, look at this vent. It makes sure hot air flows through which really improves the downforce, so that the rubber stays on the tarmac.
Such aggressive elements weren't really present on the DB9, but they've chosen to make them very noticeable here.
One other detail I want to show you. This here is opened up, air flows through here which is then pressed together and then gets out just behind the little rear spoiler.
That means that they didn't need a big rear spoiler which meant the designers could do whatever they wanted with the rear without having to add a big wing,
and still have a very good amount of downforce on the rear side.
We have been waiting for quite some time for this car to release, it's a pretty important car for Aston, if not the most important of them all.
This car HAS to succeed, otherwise it's game over. But, if it succeeds, they're aiming at a lot of new models. The Red Bull supercar, an electric Rapide-successor... Everything depends on this, the DB11.
Like I've said, we've had to wait quite some time for the DB9-successor. Even though the DBS and Vanquish also came by. Or the latest Virage.
I think it's a pretty strange car, whenever I'm in England and I see one of them, I always try to figure out whether it's a DB9, DBS or Virage...
This however, is clearly the 'next-in-line' DB. DB5, DB7, DB9 and this. The DB11. The DB10 was also made, but only for mr. James Bond.
It has a completely new platform, new body as well and more importantly: a new engine. It's still a V12, but a smaller one than before.
It's a 5,2-litre V12. However, in return for the smaller engine you get two turbo's, which makes sure the DB11 will put out just above 600hp and 700 Nm. of torque.
and that's very important in this kind of car.
What's also important; the V12 is a Aston Martin-product. Yes, there has been a engine deal with Mercedes, but that's only for the V8 Vantage-successor. AMG will supply that V8. This V12, however, is purely Aston-bred.
So, the engine. It really does what it should do. Torque is literally everywhere. But, what did you expect. It's a Aston V12, renowned for the amounts of torque.
You need a lot of torque, and you really have that in this one. It nicely builds torque towards the higher revs, but it isn't like a Ferrari.
It's not a very high revving engine. Driving mid-range and shifting between 4,000 RPM for the extra torque-push suits this car better.
You do notice, however, the rear wheels can find it difficult to find grip. That's because you already have a lot of torque in the lower-RPM's. Even when you're just setting off with low-throttle, you can spin the rear wheels.
That does say something about the performance-capacities of this car. It'll go from 0-100 in under 4 seconds and it will do over 300 km/h.
Right, the car itself. The DB11, what does it aim for? It's in the premium coupé segment. Probably inbetween the Ferrari F12 and the Bentley Continental GT,
and Aston proudly claims it's more comfortable than the Ferrari and sportier than the Bentley. But, I can also turn that around...
The DB11 is less comfortable than a Continental GT and less sporty than a F12. But, that really makes this car an absolute GT-car.
I can imagine there are people who think that the Ferrari is a little too wild, but who also want power and very good steering. Then, they'd want this.
I mean, look at the interior. It's sublime. Even better than Bentley. Their interiors are also pretty, but this really takes the cake. It looks more modern as well.
A lot of nice aluminium, beautiful leather on the seats with stitching. Very nice. Everything that looks like aluminium is actually aluminium,
flappy pedals, buttons, handles. What stands out though, are these sticks. I thought "hey, I know those", and that's because they're from Mercedes.
The cooperation with Daimler goes beyond engines alone, as proven.
When you're driving, you notice Aston Martin has gone out of their way to make it a GT. It's not hard as nails, especially with the dampers in 'Normal'-mode.
They don't even call the mode 'Comfort', just 'Normal'. When you want it stiffer you can choose 'Sport' or 'Sport Plus'. You really need those when you're driving on the edge,
especially in the back. When you're driving in 'Normal'-mode and you corner with a bump on the road, the dampers are very soft which can make the car twitch a bit.
Overall, the balance is pretty good. They've found the perfect combination between the majestic Aston-feeling and the raw side of the Aston-image.
You always should be able to put a James Bond in your Aston, so a slow, fat car won't do the trick.
Electronic power steering is also new for Aston Martin. You have to get used to it, but the faster you go, the better it responds. When you're cruising, you might want more feedback, but when you speed up it'll give you all the info you need.
In this segment design might be even more important than performance, that goes more for Aston Martin than other brands. When people buy the car they think the performance is adequate,
Aston has already stated to build about 7000 cars a year, with 3000 already sold. Then again, there are a lot of people who'll buy a new one in the first year, so we'll see what they'll do in the next years...
It's clear Aston Martin really needs this DB11.
Right, downsides then. The styling might be something personal. Some people may think it's too brute, too agressive when compared to the DB9. Again, that's personal taste.
Also, the automatic gearbox. The 8-speed isn't as sharp as it could be. The Jaguar F-Type does a better job, sharper. Maybe because that's a sports car. This gearbox isn't really bad, but it could be better.
Lastly, thanks to a car like this, I start to notice how good Ferrari's electronics are. When you think of a Ferrari, you think it's the engine which produces the driving pleasure,
but the electronics in a Ferrari do the magic these days. Think of ESP and traction control. You don't even feel them reacting, and you always have the grip.
Even if you're driving full throttle on a bumpy road, the dampers will adapt. It's something I really do miss in this Aston. This is actually what I was used to a few years ago,
and that's where Ferrari steps out. The electronics in the Ferrari are clearly superior to the Aston.
So the answer to the question if people can drive as close to the edge in this DB11 as they can do in the F12 is 'I don't think so.' But, is that really a problem?
The price in the Netherland will stay below 300k. You can easily go over that amount when you're equipping options like custom leather, custom stuff,
but still, it's cheaper than it's predecessor because of the emissions.
I wonder if Aston Martin will make it. It's an individual manufacturer now, nothing to fall back on. This DB11 has to put up the works. It sure does what an Aston-owner expect his Aston to do,
and now it's just up to the market. The car has done it's job.
You'll get a smile on your face when you're looking at it and you'll get a smile on your face when you're driving it. And that's all there is to it.
Wow...