The V8-powered version of the Aston Martin DB11 coupé has officially arrived in South Africa, positioned below the full-fat 5,2-litre V12 model.
Drawing its urge from a 4,0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine courtesy of the folks over at Mercedes-AMG, this DB11 variant boasts 375 kW and 675 N.m, directed to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The British automaker says that’s enough to propel the DB11 V8 from zero to 100 km/h in a claimed 4,0 seconds (just one-tenth of a second off the 447 kW/700 N.m V12’s claimed 3,9-second sprint), before it tops out at 300 km/h.
So, the price? Well, the Aston Martin DB11 V8 coupé starts from R3 750 000, which makes it some R350 000 less expensive than the V12. No word yet on local availability of the recently revealed DB11 Volante.
The Gaydon-based brand says its engineering team has “tailored” the Mercedes-AMG-sourced V8 engine for its application in the DB11, with “bespoke air intake, exhaust and wet sump lubrication systems”. Electronic calibration of the V8, meanwhile, included creating new ECU software and reprogramming the engine and throttle mapping to “ensure it possesses the all-important feel and sound for which Aston Martins are renowned”.
Visually, the V8-powered model is set apart from its V12 big brother by way of unique alloy wheels, dark headlamp bezels and a pair of bonnet vents (instead of the quartet featured on the V12). These vents come in a choice of black or titanium-finish mesh, again different from that fitted to the twelve-cylinder variant.
