BEAUTY, dynamism and prestige.” These words solemnly left a mark to unsuspecting guests the night when the much-awaited entrée of Britain’s quintessential V8-powered GT, the new DB11, was finally launched on our own local soil. The transcendental evening fit for a fairy-tale took place at the posh Shangri-La Hotel in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
“Like its predecessor, this fascinating variant of the DB11 designed with illustrious engineering and craftsmanship complements its existing 5.2-liter V12 engine,” Aston Martin Manila chairman and President Marc Tagle expressed.
“With the offering of the V8 engine on the DB11, I am confident that we will broaden the appeal and draw more customers to our brand. We are looking forward to seeing more of our favorite GT on the streets of the Philippines. Our customers will enjoy the invigorating drive experience this sporty model can offer in our vibrant country,” he added.
This blitzkrieg of a GT sports a 4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces 503 hp and 675 N-m of torque. With this, it allows the DB11 to propel from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in just four seconds. Not to mention putting the icing on the cake with a top speed of 299 kph.
Aston Martin’s engineering team has tailored the V8 engine perfectly for its application in the DB11 with bespoke air intake, exhaust and wet sump lubrication systems. Electronic calibration of this power plant has included creating new ECU software and reprogramming the engine and throttle mapping to ensure it invokes the signature Aston Martin feel and sound that makes this exquisite stunner truly exceptional.
With its swift, lighter yet bolder characteristics, the V8 becomes the more vigorous brother between the two siblings. It packs a kerb weight of 1,760 kilograms and saves 115 kg of bulk. Centered more within the wheelbase, it then realizes its improved sense of agility—a quality that has been fully exploited with detailed revisions to the suspension bushing, geometry, anti-roll bars, springs, dampers and ESP software.
At the onset, this elegant beast can be difficult to tell apart from its bigger brother at a glance. It can, however, reveal some subtle cues, such as the two engine-cover air vents compared to the V12’s four and darker headlamp bezels.
Sitting low to the ground right at the center of the conference room of the hotel together with two other older models, this DB11 definitely gravitates no less toward wonder and awe as it oozes with striking sex appeal. For one, its slender and curvaceous body is complemented by an extraordinary two-toned paint work of a dominant diavolo red finish. Features spell carbon fiber all over-punctuated by a set of 20” gloss black directional wheels.
Inside, Alcantara leather upholstery is meticulously well-knit, not to mention power-heated front seats, memory for the front seats and exterior mirrors, a surround-view camera system, dual-zone automatic climate control and keyless access and start button, among others. Infotainment features include an 8-inch center screen, a navigation system, an AM/FM audio system, satellite radio, Bluetooth and a Wi-fi hot spot.
Elegantly sexy is the new strong
“We are thrilled to unveil the V8-powered DB11 in Manila. The Philippines was our strongest market last year in the Southeast Asia region, and we expect continuing growth in demand for DB11, particularly with the arrival of the V8 powered model,” disclosed Patrik Nilsson, president of Aston Martin Asia Pacific in a separate occasion.
With this, our local principals are ever-fiercely dedicated to serving its number of customers.
“With the recent launch of the state-of-the-art 1,200-square-meter Aston Martin Service Centre in Makati City, our customers can be assured that Aston Martin Manila remains committed to delivering a first-class ownership experience as ever,” said Aston Martin Head of Sales Operations for Southeast Asia Nancy Chen, who enthusiastically graced the recent V8-powered DB11 debut.
This whiz of a GT is now available for sale, with first deliveries starting last month.
Image credits: Ronald Rey M. de los Reyes