Love at First Drive: 2017 Aston Martin DB11

By Andrew Chen - March 27, 2017

The much-anticipated 2017 Aston Martin DB11 has finally been unleashed on American soil, and it’s everything that we hoped for — striking design, luxurious interior, and incredible performance.

My introduction to DB11 began last year in Phoenix, Arizona when a small team from Aston Martin’s Gaydon headquarters came out to perform two weeks of hot-climate testing. I was only a passenger then, but now it was my turn to get behind the wheel of this grand-touring supercar at the official U.S. media launch event for the 2017 Aston Martin DB11.

Aston Martin DB11 Technical Highlights

DB11 Chief Engineer, Ian Hartley, kicked off the driving event with a vehicle walkaround, highlighting the many advanced aerodynamic and performance technologies featured on the car. In an effort to not inundate you with specs, we’ve hand-picked the most significant details below.

Aerodynamics:

Signature side strakes now extract high-pressure air to reduce frontal lift.
AeroBlade passes high-speed air through the rear to create a virtual spoiler.
Active spoiler deploys from decklid at designated speeds.
Functional front splitter directs airflow for cooling and rear underbody diffuser.

Powertrain:

5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine.
600 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque.
200 mph top speed.
Cylinder deactivation (alternating inline-6 configuration) for increased fuel economy.
Rear mid-mounted ZF eight-speed automatic transmission.
Mechanical limited-slip differential with active torque vectoring.

Driving Dynamics:

Three distinct drive modes: GT, Sport, and Sport Plus.
Bilstein adaptive damping system.
Electric power-assisted steering.
Exclusive Bridgestone S007 tires with custom compound for DB11.

New ‘DB’ design language.

Before we get into how DB11 drives, it’s worth mentioning that the designers at Aston Martin have created a gorgeous vehicle that’s fitting of the ‘DB’ bloodline. Actual dimensions aside, DB11 feels more substantial than the DB9 it replaces thanks to a more pronounced grille and a sculpted one-piece clamshell hood.

The new roof strake, which can be had in aluminum or body-color, emphasizes the clean lines of the vehicle, many of which contain integrated aerodynamic components. It’s a beautiful execution of form and function without compromise.

The interior also receives the same thoughtful treatment with exquisite brogue detailing and premium materials. A digital instrument panel and an all-new advanced infotainment system are a departure from the minimalist styling of Aston Martin’s previous-generation cars. The changes are in line with the overall technological enhancements of DB11, helping to deliver a full and modern experience for both long-time fans and those new to the brand.

Driving impressions.

Hopping into a Morning Frost White DB11 — one of 35 colors available from the factory — my driving partner and I embarked on the first leg of our tour into the Palomar Mountains via narrow twisting roads. It was an ideal scenario to experience the speed-dependent power-assisted steering along with the three-stage adaptive damping system.

Immediately apparent was how confident and planted DB11 felt compared to its predecessor — the result of a re-worked chassis, purposeful suspension tuning, and real-time adaptive technologies. Multiple sensors continuously monitor vehicle speed, driver input, and chassis movement to give the Bilstein adaptive damping system clarity on the vehicle’s current performance needs. This allows it to adjust within the precisely tuned parameters of three drive modes: GT, Sport, and Sport Plus.

With the low-speed switchbacks of the mountain roads, we found Sport mode to be well-suited for our spirited driving style with its slightly firmer ride and increased steering response. Active Torque Vectoring is also dialed up in Sport mode, giving us crisp turn-in and ample grip on the outside wheels to tackle tight turns.

As our route transitioned from the mountains onto the straight open roads of the Anza-Borrego desert, we could finally uncap DB11’s performance in Sport Plus mode. This is where the grand-tourer becomes a sports car with even sharper steering and throttle response, aggressive transmission shift points, increased suspension damping, and fully-opened exhaust valves that let the V12 engine roar freely.

Acceleration is intense as the eight-speed ZF transmission switches through the gears, rocketing us past the posted highway speed limit all too quickly. While the engine is turbocharged, you’d never notice because torque delivery is linear and predictable, and the awesome engine note takes center stage over any potential turbo hiss.

The final leg of our journey brought us back to home base via a mix of local roads and congested highways, and it was an opportune time to experience DB11 in its most popular form: as a luxury grand-tourer. We set the drive mode to GT, the transmission in automatic, and enjoyed the quiet interior while the V12 hummed happily in the background, most likely operating in 6-cylinder mode for improved fuel economy.

The softer yet still sporty suspension dampening absorbed much of the imperfections in the road, while the electronic-assisted power-steering stepped in to reduce input effort for a more relaxed driving experience.

This is your daily-driven supercar.

The 2017 Aston Martin DB11 occupies a unique space in the automotive world, blending the best of luxury and performance in an attractive and very usable form factor. The myriad of customization options also give DB11 an exclusive and bespoke feeling while still remaining accessible as a daily-driven vehicle. This inspired example of engineering and design really is an evolutionary step forward for the British automaker. We’re excited to see what other masterpieces will emerge in the future.

For those wanting a dynamic, characterful, and all-encompassing driving experience that goes beyond just performance numbers, look no further than the DB11.

Visit AstonMartin.com to further explore the shape, space, and sound of the 2017 Aston Martin DB11.