Aston Martin DB11 To Spearhead Recovery Plans

Aston Martin DB11 To Spearhead Recovery Plans.

“DB11 combines exceptional design and latest technology to make this the sports car that will lead Aston Martin’s second century plan”

Aston Martin’s new DB11 comes with the usual supercar over-the-top superlatives, and the long-established luxury performance car maker talks about how it will lead its “Second Century” campaign.

Aston Martin says the DB11, now being launched around the world, is the most powerful, most efficient and most dynamically gifted DB model in its history. It is certainly the most powerful, with its new V12, 5.2 litre twin-turbocharged engine producing 600 hp. Claiming it is the “most dynamically gifted” is a bit more difficult to prove, and even if it is the most efficient Aston Martin ever, its claimed 24 miles per gallon on a good day won’t impress anyone. But buyers of this car won’t be too bothered by the fuel consumption – starting price £154,900 in Britain, €204,900 in Germany and $211,995 before tax in the U.S. – and will probably tell you how clever the technology is because it can switch off half of the 12 cylinders when not absolutely necessary. Very green.

CEO Andy Palmer describes the DB11’s role this way.

“We aspire to make the most beautiful cars in the world. DB11 is the absolute embodiment of what an Aston Martin should be and we have worked tirelessly to ensure that DB11 combines both exceptional design with the latest technology…. to make this the sports car that will proudly spear head Aston Martin’s second century plan,” Palmer said.

At a recent conference Palmer joked that in the first century of its existence, Aston Martin, founded in 1913, went bankrupt 7 times, and plans to make sure that never happens again.

Mercedes-Benz
Palmer said new models will spearhead the company’s return to profitability too, but hasn’t said when. Aston Martin, in which Mercedes-Benz holds a five per cent interest and supplies electronics and V8 engines, isn’t doing too well at the moment. In June it announced a pre-tax loss of £127.9 million for 2015 (€150.3 million), worse than the loss of £71.8 million (€84.4 million) the previous year. It sold 3,615 cars in 2015, down from 3,661 in 2014, and compared with 7,300 in 2007. Major shareholders now are Italian Investindustrial and Investment Dar of Kuwait.

The DB11, which replaces the DB9, is built on a new bonded aluminium structure to be shared with the forthcoming Vantage and Vanquish sports cars. The DB11 has a new aerodynamic system that channels air through the rear of the body to reduce drag, and cuts the need for a big rear spoiler. There’s quite a small one instead. There are small seats in the rear, but only really big enough for children. There’s no quirky left-handed hand-brake, dumped in favour of an electronic one.

Lagonda
The DB11 is the first Aston Martin to use Mercedes-electrical equipment, including the engine management computers, switchgear, wire harnessing, infotainment and active safety systems. Mercedes will provide a turbo-charged V8 engine later. More new Aston Martins will include an SUV and a Lagonda saloon, to compete with Bentley and Rolls Royce.

This is also the first Aston Martin for some time to be launched without much reference to the James Bond spy movies. The previous DB10 was developed especially for the Spectre movie with much hype and bluster. Aston Martin can do restraint as well.

Aston Martin DB11