Aston Martin DB11 Volante

A few moments ago, Aston Martin welcomed the DB11 with the new variant that comes with the AMG-derived 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine because having a V12 DB11 outflanked by the Mercedes-AMG GT's V8 ferocity, they sealed their fate by having the AMG V8 engine to the DB11 and although it doesn't have the grunt of the V12 engine, it feels more alive for a grand tourer of this size and while some are happy with the Mercedes-powered Aston Martin, there's so much to talk about it by adding a convertible variant.

2019 Aston Martin DB11 Volante

This is the Aston Martin DB11 Volante and with prices starting at £159,900.00 inc. VAT, it's slightly less expensive than the powerful V12 hardtop variant, which sadly isn't getting one because the only sole option in the open-top DB11 is the AMG-derived 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine, churning out 503HP of power and 675Nm of torque, which is not as powerful as its target, the Ferrari Portofino.

Mated with a rear mid-mounted eight speed automatic gearbox with electronic shift-by-wire control system, it does 0-60mph in 4.1 seconds and it has a top speed of 187mph, meaning this is also slower than the Portofino as well, but it didn't really matter anyway because like all good Astons, it wasn't design to be the aggressive type, something that you are going all out when you put it on the track, because it makes the journey through the open road as smooth as a grass whistle.

Grass whistle aside, the suspension of the DB11 Volante is pretty much like its hardtop equivalent. It's got a front independent double wishbones and rear multilink and it comes with an Adaptive Damping System with Skyhook technology modes GT, Sport & Sport +. In GT mode, you get the idea I said above but in Sport +, it bears the impression of running of the bulldogs going to bite you. That sounds painful to get into but while it sounds irrelevant for a grand tourer, the DB11, despite the added weight compared to its hardtop equivalent, really is fun and you can really hear the V8 barking like an American muscle car, meaning there's an aura of a street fighter lurking beneath its gentleman looks. What does the fox says? Well, rev this one to find that answer.

Anyway, the steering is dramatic indeed because of its Electric Power Assisted Steering rack with speed-dependent rack and pinion power-assisted steering, which takes about 2.4 turns lock-to-lock, and while it is very dramatic like I said, it takes a lot of effort to turn this open-top grand tourer round the corner because chances are, it's going to be an arm-breaking experience. Darn those power-steering stuff but as challenging as mastering a song in a hard difficulty setting, it feels just right especially when it has the surprising Dynamic Torque Vectoring. As for the brakes, it has some drama to it even though they're ventilated.

Because this is a new Volante, the DB11 Volante's roof system is brand new and this K-fold roof system takes about 14 seconds to open roof, 16 seconds to close roof, even at speeds up to 31mph.

On the inside, it feels pretty much like its hardtop equivalent. It's got full-gran leather interior, Alcantara headlining, heated front seats, the Mercedes-derived sat-nav, everything this DB11 offers and while some say it looks disappointed and a tad average, it's functional indeed and it's not bothersome to the DB11's formal looks. Even James Bond couldn't have a word of it because he'd simply just get in and go with no questions asked. Boot space? Despite being a convertible, it has more room for two large gym bags and it's more spacious compared to the old DB9 Volante. Now that's functional in so many levels.

And there you have it folks. Although the DB11 Volante lacks the V12 engine its hardtop equivalent possess and while not as sharp as a Ferrari Portofino, it has everything a grand tourer should be. Gentlemen looks, a V8 BiTurbo engine from Mercedes-AMG, luxurious interior, boot space, the DB11 Volante really is special in so many ways to drive one and for their long driving pleasure, it really wows them, nothing more and nothing less indeed.

Photo: Aston Martin

Forza Motorsport 7: The Anglo-German quagmire

For some bothersome speedo boys, the partnership between Aston Martin and Mercedes-AMG can be downright bothersome ever since the British sports car maker announced that they will borrow AMG's V8 engine for their forthcoming models, including the DB11.

In my early youth, I always wanted AMG to be the one that bears exotic power on everyday models ever since the G65, the SL65, and the S65 hoping that one day, all models bearing the 55 nomenclature should advance to 65 and become an all-V12 lineup but no, they'd rather want to keep the V8 at bay and introduced the 63 nomenclature to everyday models like the E-Class, the C-Class, and so on, and even though today's 63 models are turbocharged and sourced from the AMG GT flagship sportscar, it wasn't enough to whet my appetite. Even the newer Aston Martins with AMG V8 engines fared worse than ever in my mind. This is the Anglo-German quagmire I didn't see it coming and to explain what I'm on about, I'm gonna have a shootout between a V8-powered AMG and a V12-powered Aston to see if V8 power is the way forward or not.





For this shootout, I'd picked the Mercedes-AMG GT R, which has a 4.0L V8 BiTurbo on it, and an Aston Martin DB11, which has a 5.2L V12 Twin Turbo engine. Yes, the DB11 has more power than the AMG GT R but is the V12 really faster than the V8? To find out, I'm standing here at the Top Gear Test Track to explain what I'm on about.



For some incumbent reasons, Mercedes-AMG wanted the V8 to stay rather than transforming itself into an all-V12 lineup. That's how the world rattled when they introduced the 63 nomenclature in reference to the 6.3L V8 but with times are changing, the 63 models had their engines downsized and at the turn of the new decade, there was the 5.5L V8 BiTurbo engine, and now, several years later, this engine. the 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine. Introduced to the normal AMG GT, the 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine can be tweaked out depending on the model and in this hot version, the AMG GT R, it produces 585HP of power and 700Nm of torque while mated to a 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT, and it's not even the most powerful AMG offering yet, you know, but in the world where downsizing is becoming mainstream in most carmakers, this engine never fails to impress and this is the main reason why I love this AMG GT in every point of view because I tried it before.



Aston Martin has been well-known for their V12-powered grand tourers but with the introduction of the DB11, they've thrown the world a curve with the introduction of the 5.2L V12 Twin Turbo engine, which is smaller than the predecessors' 6.0L V12 engine but it sounds very smooth indeed and produces a lot of power than the old engine. 608PS of power and 700Nm of torque, that's how the V12 works and it's great to know that downsizing aside, they've still retained the V12 for the purity of it but annoyingly, Aston Martin added the AMG V8 BiTurbo engine on it, and care to guess how the AMG V8 BiTurbo fares against Aston's own V12 Twin Turbo engine? That's why we're here at the Top Gear Track to settle this issue once and for all.

Obviously, it's very impossible to beat the lap times set by The Stig in real life, so what I'm gonna do is do the shootout my way to see which one is the best. Is it the one with the AMG V8 BiTurbo or the one with the Aston Martin V12 Twin Turbo? Time to roll the clip.



And now, the results...

AMG GT R - 1:20.231
DB11 - 1:23.402

It's a shocking result! Although not as fast as The Stig's the gap between them has been narrowed to just almost three seconds! But still, I find that surprising that V8 power is the way forward especially if it comes from Mercedes-AMG.





I had to admit that what they did is not a quagmire to sports cars because Mercedes-AMG really know what they were doing, creating the best engines made specifically for their kind of cars, and with the 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine, it's all about getting acquainted with all the right grooves and the right place. The Aston V12 Twin Turbo may be smooth and powerful but in the end, looks like David beaten Goliath at the very end and looks like Aston Martin did surrender their fate to the Germans, knowing that the AMG V8 BiTurbo would look good on their forthcoming models, even the DB11.

Forza Motorsport 7: Opera, Art, and Doughnuts...sorta

As the world awaits the second season of Amazon Prime's original motoring program, The Grand Tour, how about a little flashback? Because Jeremy Clarkson's annoyed by the appearance of Richard Hammond and the 707-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, he went to Mugello to teach Hammond a very painful lesson on speed. With Mugello back at Forza 7, how about I'll recreate that memorable Grand Tour moment from that certain episode?



First, let's talk about the cars first, starting with the Aston Martin DB11. Although the V12 engine is now smaller and turbocharged, the power output it produces is rather smooth indeed because this is how grand tourers do. 608HP of power, 700Nm of torque, 0-60mph in less than 3.9 seconds, 200mph top speed, the DB11 wasn't unfazed by its performance figures because all it matters for this car is to cruise around the open road on a bright sunshine and while it was heavily focused for comfortable driving in mind, it can be downright decent on the track making this beauty a beast to behold in the eyes of the driver.



The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat maybe based on the old Chrysler 300C underneath, which is based on the 1990's Mercedes E-Class, but putting a 707HP supercharged V8 engine on it is a complete madness. Although it was superseded by the limited-edition Challenger Demon by about a hundred and thirty-three, the Hellcat remains one of the most outrageous muscle cars ever to come out from the world's most powerful country that is now ran by an orangutan and his minions. So, outrageous, it can make a trip through historic places in Italy into a complete disaster because the roar of the supercharged engine and the endless squealing of tires. I know, this happened on that episode and you can't hide from the Hellcat's fury. Saturdays will be completely ruined thanks to the Hellcat.





In that episode, Jeremy lapped the DB11 at 2:18.79 while Billy Bob Hammond's Hellcat did it in 2:35. All I have to do is to do better than the GT folks while witnessing the very moment that the DB11 taught the Hellcat a very painful lesson. Let's roll the tape.


At the end of the flying lap, here are the results of my Grand Tour reenactment on Forza 7...

Hellcat - 2:22.648
DB11 - 2:15.469



Hey, history repeats itself as the "brown" Aston minced the Hellcat like crazy, although that didn't stop Richard Hammond from doing ridiculous things with the Challenger Hellcat. Still, it's great to have Mugello back on Forza 7 because without it, I couldn't recreate that classic Grand Tour moment in honor of the upcoming season of Amazon Prime's original series. They may be evolving but they never growing up. Get it?

Forza Horizon 3: Love, Poetry, and Coffee

Now, in a certain episode of The Grand Tour, Jeremy Clarkson and James May are having a nice Italian road trip with their grand tourers, the new Aston Martin DB11 and the Rolls Royce Dawn. Trouble is, their Italian road trip got ruined by Richard Hammond and the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. Italy is so like two years ago for me but now that all the cars are here in the Land Down Under, there's no perfect time than settling the scores between love, poetry, and coffee somewhere Down Under.







If you can get to decide which method will you woo a dream lady for Valentines Day, it would be like a choice of love, poetry, and coffee. The DB11 is all about the love that you can do everything for her by any means necessary to win the heart of a woman. The Dawn is all about the poetry that shows how much of a knowledgeable person you really are to please a lady. The Hellcat, meanwhile, is all about the coffee that burns the hearts of lovers sipping a cup of joe in a cafe while having a chat.

Love, poetry, and coffee. These are the choices and by comparison regulations, anything fancy should be kept to a safe place such as their upgrades and their designs. These cars can have them back after this comparison but for now, the fight between opera, art, and donuts will be settled to the Grand Tour Sprint, so specially called because it has the words "Grand Tour" on it as if they're having their Australian stopover for the show or this is what I think it is.

Two grand tourers from Britain and an uninvited guest from America. This will be a very interesting comparison because these three got featured in The Grand Tour and now, I got the chance to compare these three to see which method will I woo a lady for Valentines will be the best. It's either love, poetry, or coffee. It's everyone's game now and now, the battle begins!



After their run at the Grand Tour Sprint, it's time for the results!

2017 Aston Martin DB11 (608HP/516ft-lb/4,134lb/51%/5,204cc/S1 805)- 2:37.057
2015 Rolls Royce Dawn (563HP/575ft-lb/5,644lb/51%/6,593cc/A 715)- 2:45.666
2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat (707HP/650ft-lb/4,438lb/57%/6,166cc/A 766)- 2:36.957

By a shocking result, the 707 horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat is a clear winner in this comparison by a second quicker than the DB11!

Which means, if I go for love, I might go for broke to get the girl I want but I could get flunked easily like getting thrown by an Master-level song I'm playing on an certain idol girl app game. If I go for poetry, meanwhile, then my knowledge might bore her for the rest of her life. So, the choice is clear. It's a cup of coffee best served hot for the lovers everywhere. Don't get too much on a cup of joe, okay?

Forza Horizon 3: A Design Evolution

This marks the next chapter of Aston Martin because as they ride on the winds of change, they are prepared to be extra prepared for it and for the company that has the power, beauty, and soul to create beautiful grand tourers for the road and track, they've introduced the brand new V12 5.2L Twin Turbo engine.



While this is smaller compared to the outgoing 6.0L V12 engine that has been around for decades, it performs like the outgoing engine and promises improved fuel economy. Sounds practical but flattering, if you insist. Anyway, this new engine can be found on Aston Martin's latest grand tourer...



The brand new Aston Martin DB11, which is part of Forza Horizon 3's Playseat Car Pack. With the latest FH3 car pack now on sale, now's your chance to try out this latest V12 masterpiece which is an evolution to Aston Martin's long line of grand tourers.



So, what's it all about the DB11? Having premiered at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, this new grand tourer marks a bold new chapter in Aston Martin's centennial history and while it was carved by the winds of change, the DB11 marks a design evolution to the Aston Martin grand tourer history. As a replacement for the DB9, the DB11 showcases its new design philosophy, pioneering aerodynamics, and became the first to use the all new 5.2L V12 Twin Turbo engine.

The new 5.2L V12 Twin Turbo engine produces 608PS of power and 700Nm of torque, making it the most powerful production DB model ever. Mated to its 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox, it does 0-60mph in less than 3.9 seconds and top speed of over 200mph. Not only the new turbocharged engine provides the new sound of Aston Martin's latest grand tourer, but also its new lighter, stronger, and more space efficient bonded aluminium structure that sets the template on the difference between mass and stiffness for sports cars. Aside from that, its driving dynamics, courtesy of its new engine, new body, and reworked suspension, is far beyond its engineering expectations when it comes to delivering a comfortable cruise on the open roads and unleashing its inner potential on the track.



I had to admit it that while the new turbocharged V12 engine isn't as sonorous as the old 6.0L V12 engine from the past, it sounds very smooth for a grand tourer because good grand tourers like this doesn't really need intimidating engine noises like the Lamborghini Aventador's and even if you put a lot of power on it, it's rather unnecessary for a grand tourer to let it all out unless its necessary. After all, isn't that how "grand touring" is made for that car's purpose? Still, I appreciate how Aston Martin had done for the new DB11 and while the exterior design is like a mix of the Vulcan, the Vanquish, and James Bond's DB10 from 007 SPECTRE, the interior is about as basic as a subcompact car, especially that it now has bits from Mercedes-Benz as part of their newfound collaboration.

With Aston Martin becoming part of the Anglo-German club like the ones you're familiar with, it's hard to fathom that this collaboration really is business as usual even in post-Brexit times. I guess this is how destiny's way to flipping its trump card to its sleeves or so they say but while this explanation can be put out later, let's try something special for the DB11 because this is the Aston I've been waiting to drive it since its launch.







This is what I called as shadowy as Shadow Eyes that glow like the Midnight Rose and as poisonous as a fire-breathing toxic lizard unleashing its acid downpour in the heat of the battle. Beneath the poison that lies from this Yozora Kasumi-inspired design lies the Shadow Eyes-esque performance only I can understand when I set off. So, with all that poison and fire injected to the DB11, how about I arrange a little meeting with the best of V12 Astons ever assembled and meet up at an undisclosed location somewhere Down Under. I called it the "12-Cylinder Knights of Gaydon" and why Gaydon, you may ask, is because this is where the Astons currently made. With the knights of Gaydon arrived, time for me to sit through the director's chair and get this film rolling in.




Although this is just me feeling the venom or the burn while the car is facing some corrosion issues race after race, the DB11 proved that this grand tourer is more than just grand touring, it can pry down almost anyone from the start to the last lap and like a fire-breathing toxic lizard crawling through unsuspecting guests from behind at the top of the peak of the volcano, the DB11 is full of surprises one after another.

Which reminds me, with the DB11 now here, looks like I have found a Grand Tour reference in my mind as later on, I am going to compare the DB11 against the Rolls Royce Dawn and the Dodge Challenger Hellcat in a battle of love, poetry, and coffee. Stay tuned!

Aston Martin DB11

2017 Aston Martin DB11

Served as the replacement to the DB9, Aston Martin's brand new grand tourer, the DB11, marks the new chapter of the British sportscar maker's centennial history by peppering in some new and familiar elements an Aston would offer.

2017 Aston Martin DB11

Starting with the way it performs and for the first time in Aston's centennial history, the first ever DB11's V12 has now been miniaturized and turbocharged so this brand new 5.2L V12 Twin Turbo engine produces 608PS of power and 700Nm of torque, capable of getting through 60mph in less than four seconds and onwards to over 200mph, while mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox that doesn't behave like the jerkier double clutch gearboxes of today's sportscars. Although the turbocharged engine sounds too artificial but the power output is smooth for a grand tourer. Take it on the open roads and you can see that the new DB11 behaves in a serene grace with a sunnier disposition. You can really tell why this car is mainly focused for this kind of job because while this is a serene grand tourer full-stop, breaking its limits on the track is the harshest thing to do.

Yes, the DB11 maybe a luxury grand tourer but as a sportscar, it's about as shameless as slashing the Neo-Victorian dress into the shortest skirt possible. Because this car comes with Electric Power Steering and Torque Vectoring, breaking the DB11 beyond limits is something you are daring to accomplish at, no matter which racetrack you're going at. While this car is not designed to break lap times in a jiffy, it's still an enjoyable experience to understand what the new DB11 can do for you.

2017 Aston Martin DB11 interior

2017 Aston Martin DB11

So far as styling, the DB11's design balances the things that are right with the things that are wrong. Sure, the design is rather an improvement compared to the DB9, there's still wrong about how it looks. The rear view isn't the least of the problem but the interior is what puzzles anyone because it looks like a normal car interior with a sat-nav sourced from Mercedes-Benz due to its newly-found partnership. While this maybe called a sportscar, the interior doesn't look sporty for some and it feels as common as compacts on the city center.

The biggest problem with the DB11 is its pricing and with prices start at 154,900 Pounds, that sounds very costly to own but on the upside, you can afford one if your budget couldn't afford those ultra-expensive Italian exotics, especially Ferrari's F12berlinetta. Despite its high price, the DB11 marks a smooth renaissance for Aston Martin and it signal the start of something new for the British carmaker but it's going to be a risky challenge now that UK is no longer with the European Union by majority. Let's see how far can this new Aston can go to this new world order.

Photo: Aston Martin