2020 Aston Martin DB11

Aston’s injected a little more muscle since 2016 into its V12 car which now wears AMR (Aston Martin Racing) badges. this is still very much a continent-crossing GT, just with firmer, more satisfying responses should you ever choose to push its chassis closer to its limits, it will hold up and deliver as astounding feel. This Grand Tourer is still layered in it’s finely stitched leather inside, still has back seats, and still feels most in its comfort zone when you relax, at which point the V12 whispers eerily quietly in the background.

Trim	DB11 V8
MSRP	$201,820
Key Features	V8 engine with 503 hp
	20-inch wheels
	Adaptive suspension
	LED headlights and taillights
	Hands-free trunk
	Power-adjustable heated front seats
	Keyless ignition and entry
	Leather upholstery
	Faux suede headliner
	Dual-zone automatic climate control
	360-degree parking camera
	Front and rear parking sensors.
	Digital instrument and gauges display
	8-inch infotainment display with rotary control dial
	Bluetooth and satellite radio
	iPhone integration
	Premium Aston Martin audio system

The DB11 comes in two trims – the V8 and the V12 AMR. Both the cars have are equipped with the same technology and equipment except that the AMR gets various performance upgrades, a bigger engine and some visual zing in the form of lime green accents in the interior and the exterior. However, both the trims are quite different in character as the engine makes a big difference in the performance of the car along with different handling dynamics.

When we talk about the performance of the DB11, the earlier V12s didn’t speak sportily, They were more of a GT tourer and focused more on comfort rather than accuracy in a tight corner. But the AMG sourced V8 version launched in 2017 – which the AMR then borrowed in 2018 – sorted it out just nicely.

The V8 is more on the sporty front, not only because it’s 250 pounds lighter but its 503bhp engine gives well over 100bhp to the V12. When driven hard this V8 will be the quicker in the real world simply because it compels you to drive it towards its limits. 

Models	Aston Martin DB11 V8 coupe	Aston Martin Vantage coupe	McLaren 570GT coupe	Mercedes AMG GT S Coupe
MSRP	$201,820	$153,081	$202,950	$133,395
Engine	4.0L Twin Turbo V8	4.0L Twin Turbo V8	3.8L Twin Turbo V8	4.0L Twin Turbo V8
Transmission	8 Speed Dual Clutch automatic	8 Speed Dual Clutch automatic	7 Speed Dual Clutch Dual Clutch	7 Speed Dual Clutch manual
Horsepower	503 hp@ 6000rpm	503 hp@ 6000rpm	562 hp@ 7500rpm	515 hp@ 6250rpm
Torque	513 ft-lbs@ 2000rpm	505 ft-lbs@ 2000rpm	443 ft-lbs@ 5000rpm	494 ft-lbs@ 1750rpm

It turns in quicker, tending to push out its rear end, in short, is a whole bundle of fun if you’re in the right mood. The engine makes all kinds of right noises keeping up your adrenaline and demanding constant user corrections for this Bi-Turbo monster to keep in the direction you want to keep it in. If you dial back from its raw mode, you get selectable driving modes, and will still cruise at 160 mph if you want it to and still be living a grand tourer’s life.

Acceleration

The DB11 takes 4.0 seconds flat to sprint to 60 mph which is the slowest in the competition but that’s no surprise as it is also the heaviest car. The Vantage with the same engine and power does it 3.5 seconds on account of being much lighter. The McLaren 570GT is the fastest to 60 mph at just 3.2 seconds as it’s the lightest and also the most powerful. The AMG GT S coupe does it in 3.5 seconds.

Models	Aston Martin DB11 V8 coupe	Aston Martin Vantage coupe	McLaren 570GT coupe	Mercedes AMG GT S Coupe
0-60 MPH	4 sec	3.5 sec	3.2 sec	3.5 sec
Quarter mile	N/A	12.1 sec	11.1 sec	11.6 sec
Engine	4.0L V8	4.0L V8	3.8L V8	4.0L V8
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	N/A	8.4	N/A	9.8

Ride and Handling

2020, Aston Martin have tuned the suspension and the damping have been recalibrated at the front and weight distribution have been changed from 51/49 for the V12 to 49/51 for the V8. The lighter nose makes turning in much sharper and there is now more feedback from the front wheels. The slightly rear-biased weight distribution also allows a little more feel from the rear wheels. Dynamically, it’s unbelievable how much differently the V8 drives from the V12. In fact, it drives so much better than the V12. Aston just seems to get better and better with every car they introduce in the DB11 range.

Strongly sticking to its GT roots, the DB11 maintains a comfortable ride at all times. Even in the sportiest setting, the ride is still comfortable. There are three drive modes – GT, Sport, and Sport+. The GT model epitomizes grand touring with soft suspension, relaxed power delivery, and gear shifts and a light burble at the exhaust pipe. Dial-up to the Sports+ mode and the throttle response is amazingly aggressive with snappier gear shifts but the ride still remains compliant enough.

The steering is sharp and precise, adequately weighted and you always go where you point the car too. It carves out its corners with great ease with great feedback from the road as well. In the sportier modes, the steering becomes adequately hefty. Sports mode is the best mode as it combines comfortable cruising with enough sportiness. However, the DB11 is a very wide car and you’d always be looking over the corners so that you do not scratch your car in congested roads or narrow country lanes. It becomes a little difficult to manoeuvre the car in such spaces but find the right road and the car is stunningly rewarding.

Braking

The DB11 V8 just takes 105 ft to come to a dead stop from 60 mph which is very impressive in this segment. It uses the same brake setup as used in the V12 and the AMR versions and is, in fact, lighter than both those cars. The brake pedal is nicely firm and with a progressive movement that provides a very good amount of bite. The car remains predictable and stable even under hard braking.

Model	Aston Martin DB11 V8 coupe	Aston Martin Vantage coupe	McLaren 570GT coupe	Mercedes AMG GT S Coupe
Brake Front (in.)	15.7	15.7	14.6	15.4
Brake Rear (in.)	14.2	14.2	13.8	14.2
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3880	3650	3270	3627
60-0 MPH (ft.)	105	N/A	N/A	N/A

The DB11 V8 returns 20 miles to the gallon combined which is decent in the segment. The McLaren is the most fuel efficient in the competition which returns 22 miles to the gallon combined. Even the Vantage is more fuel efficient than the DB11 on account of being lighter returning 21 miles to the gallon combined.

Model	Aston Martin DB11 V8 coupe	Aston Martin Vantage coupe	McLaren 570GT coupe	Mercedes AMG GT S Coupe
MPG (city)	18	18	14	16
MPG (highway)	24	25	31	22
MPG (combined)	20	21	22	18
Tank Capacity (gal)	20.5	19.3	19	19.8

Aston’s interiors have come a long way from their last generation and the new generation interior was introduced with the DB11. The same interiors continue with the V8 and its special like you would expect in a luxury grand tourer. The previously used retractable screen has been replaced by a static 8-inch infotainment display which has been sourced from Mercedes. The AC vents sit below the screen below which are a band of five buttons as before for the gear selector and the engine start/stop button in the middle.

The console below has been changed completely from the last generation. It is now a seamless screen with haptic touch buttons and a few physical buttons. The layout seems very contemporary and in fact, timeless. While using the buttons requires you to take your eyes off the road, it is quite pleasing to use. There’s a rotary dial along with a trackpad on the centre console for the infotainment system which is exactly the same as is used in Mercedes Benz cars.

The instrument console has also changed completely. It’s a completely digital unit with a physical outline for the main circular screen and it looks quite cool indeed. The screens are very configurable and the flat bottomed steering wheel with cool buttons and wrapped in Alcantara feels really nice to hold. There’s plenty of use of leather all around the car and it really feels special like an Aston should feel. However, there are not many places to store your nitty-gritty. Not even a glove box.

You sit low, but the visibility is still fine, besides you are faced with a fat A-pillar when pulling out of side roads. The parking sensors are so hyperactive in traffic you’ll probably end up turning them off. Important to remember when you come to parking. 

Model	Aston Martin DB11 V8 coupe	Aston Martin Vantage coupe	McLaren 570GT coupe	2018 Mercedes AMG GT S Coupe
Passenger capacity	2+2	2	2	2
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	N/A	N/A	N/A	39.5/NA/NA
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	N/A	-	-	-

Your thrones in the DB11 are really amazing. Very well sculpted, they hold you well when you are cornering at high speeds. They are heated and cooled and are amazingly comfortable.The rear seats aren’t exactly big but you can squeeze even six-foot adults back there for short journeys, and kids will be absolutely fine.

Infotainment System

Aston Martin sources the infotainment system from Mercedes but it’s the last generation of Mercedes’s infotainment system which feels a little dated now. The system is not as fast to respond but it’s otherwise a nice system to use. Also, the graphics could have been better. You operate the system with the familiar rotary dial and trackpad from Mercedes and it’s pretty easy to operate through the system.

The screens in the instrument cluster are better actually. The graphic is better and they are quite configurable. The instrument cluster is more up to date and is a really cool feature in the AMR.

• Strathmore leather monotone interior
• Memory front seats and exterior mirrors (three memory positions)
• Heated front seats
• Front and rear parking sensors
• 360O birds-eye camera
• Cruise control & speed limiter
• Automatic temperature control with dual-zone climate control
• Electrically adjustable front seats with side airbags
• Pelvis and Thorax seat mounted airbags
• Electronic Instrument Cluster with mode-specific displays
• Keyless entry & go
• Heated rear screen
• Infotainment system with capacitive switching
• 400-watt Aston Martin Audio System
• 8.0” LCD screen

Cargo Capacity

Model	Aston Martin DB11 V8 coupe	Aston Martin Vantage coupe	McLaren 570GT coupe	2018 Mercedes AMG GT S Coupe
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	10	12	13.1	10.1

Being a GT car ,The DB11 V8 is not welcomed with a very big boot rather the smallest boot in the competition with only 10 cu.ft of space while the McLaren 570GT has the maximum boot capacity with 13.1 cu.ft of space.

The DB11 V8 does not look much different visually from the standard DB11 V12 that was being offered before. But one has to admit that the DB11 is a stunning looker. Perfectly proportionate and lots of muscles with a great amount of poise – that’s what describes the DB11. The front is not busy like many other sports cars but just the wide gaping grille dominates the face. There are now two hood scoops rather than four as were in the DB11 V12.

When you move over to the sides, you realize the stunning proportions of the car. A bonnet that extends towards the horizon and a short rear overhang give the AMR an amazing silhouette. Little details like the fender scoops, side pods and air scoops in the rear quarter panel are designed to maximize aero-efficiency for this otherwise smoothly flowing curves on the body of the car.

The rear quarter is probably the most attractive angle of the AMR. The sloping roofline coming to make the short rear overhang and then the extremely stylish LED tail lamps- a piece of sheer automotive art. The AMR gets a larger diffuser and the exhausts and painted in black which looks quite stealthy. There’s also a lime green accent around the entire car from the front splitter, side skirts and the rear diffuser which provide amazing contrast. However, this car is more about its curves and how beautifully the muscles have been carved out, particularly over the rear haunches. Stunningly beautiful. 

Model	Aston Martin DB11 V8 coupe	Aston Martin Vantage coupe	McLaren 570GT coupe	Mercedes AMG GT S Coupe
Curb weight (lbs.)	3880	3650	3270	3627
Length(in)	186.6	175.8	178.4	179.0
Width(in)	76.4	76.5	76.0	76.3
Height(in)	50.4	50.1	47.3	50.7
Ground clearance (in)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Wheelbase (in)	110.4	106.4	105.1	103.5
Track width (in) F/R	N/A	N/A	65.9/63.7	66.1/65

The Aston Martin is the heaviest and longest car in the segment. It is almost the widest the car after the Vantage and also has the longest wheelbase. With all its muscles, the Aston is still a very wide car that it would not fit on a single lane of a B-road. The Vantage and the 570 GT appear very sleek and slender cars whereas the DB11 and AMG GT S appear big and burly and command a lot of respect that way.

• LED headlamps with integrated daytime running, sidelights and direction indicators
• LED light blade tail-lamps
• Deployable spoiler to improve downforce
• 1 piece clamshell with syncing latches
• Curlicue aero feature in the fender
• Laminated glass all-round for improved NVH
• Titanium meshes
• 20" 10-spoke Silver
• Diamond Turned wheels
• Grey Painted brake callipers
• Bright Waistrail Finisher
• Smoked Rear Tail Lights
• Gloss Black splitter, diffuser and sills

The Aston Martin DB11 does not come loaded with lots of safety features like we have become used to in luxury cars. It comes decently equipped with safety features and you will certainly be safe in the car but some advanced technologies that we see in some Mercedes or other brands are definitely not on offer. Neither NHTSA nor IIHS has rated the vehicle and we cannot offer you their ratings.

• Front and rear parking sensors
• 360O birds-eye camera
• Cruise control & speed limiter
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Alarm and immobilizer
• Electrically adjustable front seats with side airbags
• Dual-stage driver and passenger front airbags
• Curtain side and knee head airbags
• Pelvis and Thorax seat mounted airbags

Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs Aston Martin Vantage

They both have the same engine producing the same power, yet they are so much different in character. The vantage being lighter is better able to utilize the power of the V8 and it’s also more stiffly sprung than the DB11. The Vantage is pure breed sports car with great balance and dynamics. On the other hand, the DB11 is heavier, does not try to be sports car, is extremely well balanced still and excels as a grand tourer with dynamics like that of a sports car. Both look stunning but the Vantage looks just that extra bit special, both inside and out. The Vantage is way cheaper than the DB11 and with better performance with a stronger character than the DB11 and would be our choice among the two.

Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs McLaren 570GT

Lighter, more powerful and faster – the McLaren 570GT is one of the best V8 engine sports cars that you can buy in the market today. If performance is the only criteria, the McLaren clearly has the edge over the DB11 but the 570GT – as from the suffix in its name – also intends to be GT car which is where the DB11 clearly outshines the McLaren. The DB11 has a greater sense of poise and character as a GT car and is the more comfortable and luxurious of the two. The interiors in the DB11 also seem to be better appointed and when it comes to looks, both cars look stunningly handsome. With not much price difference between the two, a choice between these cars depends on your preference. If it’s outright performance, it’s the 570GT and if it’s grand touring, it’s the DB11.

Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs Mercedes AMG GT S Coupe

They both use the same engine from AMG but the GT S Coupe produces a little more power than the one in the DB11, not that it makes much real world difference. Is the faster of the two, more aggressive and always seems to be up on its toes. The DB11 on the other hand has the better balance. While looks are a subjective matter, the AMG GT is not the most aesthetic and in comparison, the DB11 seems much more graceful. The interiors of the AMG also seem over done whereas the DB11 keeps it subtle, yet special. There’s however no beating the technology in the Mercedes. The AMG GT S being much cheaper than the DB11 is a real bargain for the performance it packs and just for that reason alone would be our pick amongst the two. If you want to pay the extra money for all the poise, character and gracefulness of the DB11, its every bit worth it too.

 

The Aston Martin DB11 V8 is a stunning car. Aston just seems to get better and better with every car they introduce. In fact, the DB11 V8 seems better with than the V12 is some regards. It has better weight distribution, its lighter and power from the V8 AMG engine is far more usable in the real world.

It unwinds beautifully around you and lets you have lots of fun with it. If sheer horsepower is not someone’s priority, the V8 makes the more sensible and sweeter option in the DB11 range. Of course it does not match the V12 in terms of performance but in every other regard, the DB11 is a very fun car which will definitely put a smile on your face.