The Shape of Things to Come: Inside the Aston Martin DB11

This past fall, Aston Martin debuted its all-new, striking DB11. By the courtesy of Aston Martin Summit/Short Hills, I was fortunate enough to get a look inside the brand’s latest (and highly anticipated) model during a private unveiling held at Parlay Studios in Jersey City before its official release.

Over the past few years, the iconic brand has made a tremendous effort to invest more in new technology. The DB11 itself is a full representation of that effort, improving upon its predecessor’s navigation and infotainment systems; according to Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer, it is “the most important car” they have launched in the brand’s entire existence. The signature “DB,” short for David Brown—who bought Aston Martin in the ‘40s— has long been the brand’s defining model. Those familiar with the DB9, which helped define the modern day Aston Martin when it took the automotive scene by storm in 2003, will not only see this new model as a vast improvement in performance and looks, but ultimately the shape of Astons to come.

Using a new aerodynamic system, the DB11 ducts air through the rear of the body to reduce drag, negating the need for a big spoiler and enhancing stability. Instead, engineers designed a small, subtle air intake behind the rear windows which funnels airflow under the trunk lid and up through the decklid to assist with the downforce generated by the vehicle’s aerodynamics. This “AeroBlade” as Aston calls it, ultimately helps the car stick to the ground, thus creating more grip, especially on sharp turns.

With its new design and patented technology, the 3,900 lb DB11 ensures that Aston Martin will stay competitive in the luxury market. In addition, the car itself is wider and longer than the popular DB9, but still maintains that classic Aston silhouette. The DB11 has a new bonded aluminum body that is both lighter and stronger, improving upon the overall structure of its predecessor.

The vehicle’s new 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine is also eco-conscious, in that it turns off unnecessary cylinders to save on gas. And while the DB11 isn’t the loudest, it is capable of reaching speeds up to 200 mph. And the true draw of this model is its 600 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, which yields a 0 to 62 time of 3.9 seconds. Undoubtedly a look into Aston Martin’s future, the all-season DB11 establishes itself as the new face of the brand.