Aston Martin’s DB9-replacing 'DB11' has been once again spotted in the wild as engineers race to finish the British sportscar-maker’s most important model.
The DB11 name has been patented by Aston Martin, but is not confirmed to replace the DB9 moniker when the new supercar goes on sale next year.
What is certain is the new Aston rides on a brand-new lightweight aluminium platform that will eventually underpin the entire next generation of Aston Martins, including the controversial DBX SUV.
As well as the new platform, under the bonnet -- as shown by this mule -- it’s just possible to see two intercoolers lurking in the air intake. These are essential for the other big change -- the new Aston Martin coupe will be powered by Mercedes-AMG's 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8.
Expected to produce at least 375kW/650Nm, the new turbocharged V8 will offer supercar performance thanks to the car's significantly lighter kerb weight.
Aston Martin will also offer the old Ford-supplied 6.0-litre V12 that’s currently available with the current Vanquish, but in the DB9 replacement it’s expected to offer even more power than the current 424kW/630Nm, providing a bigger performance gap between it and the turbocharged V8.
As well as developing the new DB11 and the confirmed DBX, the British car-maker is also thought to be secretly readying its replacement for the entry-level V8 Vantage that will also be based on the same, as yet unnamed, all-aluminium architecture.