Just as night follows day, Aston Martin – like every other manufacturer in its class – will eventually launch a convertible version of its sporting coupes. Another pricey alternative is the Rolls-Royce Wraith.Although there was a tinge of irony behind the launch of a classic British convertible in the rainy south of France, we were left with no doubt that the new Aston Martin DB11 Volante is something special, regardless of the outlook. Elsewhere, the Mercedes S-Class Coupe is an upmarket alternative that also has V12 power in AMG 65 guise, while the Ferrari GTC4 Lusso is another front-engined GT, although one that costs nearly twice as much. Chief among these is the Bentley Continental GT, which delivers the same kind of luxury and performance that a hand-built British grand tourer can manage. With prices starting not far short of £150,000, there aren't many rivals for the Aston Martin DB11, but they do exist. However, these parts are well integrated and don't detract from the Aston's high-class finish. Aston has signed up with Mercedes to provide the electronic systems, so you get Merc's Comand control wheel on the centre console, as well as its familiar single-stalk wiper/light control behind the steering wheel. What you might not expect is the Mercedes-sourced switchgear that's used in the cabin. That personalisation carries over to the cabin, which is hand-made and features plenty of wood and leather, as you would expect. Aston also offers a range of personalisation options for customers, so buyers can tailor their car to their desires. But the lines are thoroughly modern, with sharp lines and plenty of design features to turn heads, while also providing aerodynamic efficiency to keep the car glued to the road without the need to add ungainly wings to the elegant bodywork. On the outside, the DB11 takes inspiration from James Bond's exclusive DB10, and it's easily recognisable as an Aston, with a low-slung shape, long bonnet and short rear end. Tweaked dampers, gearbox settings and a new exhaust also feature in the AMR, together with extra carbon fibre on the bonnet, sills and cabin. This features the same V12 engine, but with 630bhp instead of 600bhp. It's mated to an eight-speed auto gearbox mounted on the transaxle, and as a result performance is electric, with the 0-62mph sprint taking just 3.9 seconds.Īlthough it only went on sale in 2016, Aston replaced the V12 DB11 with the DB11 AMR in 2018. At the top of the range, power still comes from a V12 engine, but the 5.2-litre unit is a brand-new design that features twin turbos to give the car 600bhp and 700Nm of torque. The Aston Martin DB11 is the replacement for the long-running DB9, and it brings up-to-date technology to Aston's range of large-capacity grand tourers. New Aston Martin DB11 Volante 2018 review.Aston Martin DB11 AMR vs Bentley Continental GT.
Cramped rear seats and hefty running costs also count against the DB11, but for many buyers the car’s ravenous thirst for fuel won’t be a problem.īesides, that doesn't detract from the DB11 being one of the fastest and most desirable long-distance cruisers money can buy.
The cabin mixes cutting-edge style and electronics supplied by Mercedes, although some of the materials and finish are some way short of the likes of the Bentley Continental or even the Audi R8. However, this comfort doesn’t affect the handling, as the DB11 displays remarkable agility and control for a car that tips the scales at over 1,800kg. It’s claimed to be the softest Aston yet, meaning it flows over bumps with a supple poise that its predecessor can’t match. Yet, it’s the way the car rides and handles that really impresses. The DB11 isn't just a pretty face, either, as the flowing lines hide clever aerodynamic additions that both deliver downforce and reduce drag. The Aston Martin DB11 is the brand’s first all-new car in nearly 14 years. Heavily influenced by the DB10 that starred in the James Bond movie Spectre, the DB11 sets the tone for future Aston Martin models.