Aston DB11 now available with AMG V8
British sports car maker drops twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 into its GT; despite being down on power it's almost as quick as V12Aston Martin has announced its DB11 coupe is now available with the option of a Mercedes-AMG-sourced 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that produces 375kW/675Nm.
Despite being a substantial 72kW/50Nm down on the 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 version, the smaller V8T hits 100km/h in a respectable four seconds, trailing the V12 by just 0.1sec.
Top speed, meanwhile, is where the AMG-powered DB11 runs out of puff, with the V8 DB11 managing to clock 'only' 301km/h beside the V12's speedier 330km/h.
Making up for the power deficit is the V8’s greater efficiency, which means you'll have to stop less for fuel compared to the thirstier V12.
According to the official claimed figures the DB11 V8 can average 9.9L/100km while emitting 230g/km of CO2 -- fractionally more palatable than the V12's 11.3L/100km (266g/km of CO2).
But it's not just better fuel consumption that will attract buyers to the lesser DB11 V8, claims the famous British sports car maker.
According to Aston, the smaller engine helps unlock a little more of the recently launched British coupe's sporting character.
It helps that using the AMG 4.0-litre turbo V8 cuts a hefty 115kg from the kerb weight of the heavy V12 DB11.
Now weighing in at a still-portly 1760kg, engineers also claim the V8 has helped them lower the centre of gravity of the big coupe, boosting agility.
Featuring bespoke suspension geometry, anti-roll bar bushes, dampers and ESC software, Aston says the V8 version's extra feeling of agility will appeal to customers drawn to a refined and comfortable GT with a more sporting bias.
Visually, you'll have to look closely to tell the difference between the V8 and V12 with only redesigned alloy wheels, dark headlight bezels and just two bonnet vents (instead of the V12's four).
Inside, the less powerful DB11 comes with exactly the same standard equipment levels as its more powerful brother.
In the UK, the V8 is priced around £13,000 ($A20,500) cheaper than the V12.
Pricing for the V8 is yet to be announced for the Australian market, but expect a similar reduction in pricing here, where the V12 DB11 costs $428,032 (plus on-road costs).
Deliveries in Europe and the US begin in the fourth quarter of this year, with Australian customers car due to follow.
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