Aston Martin DB11 AMR 2018 review
- 6 years ago
Aston Martin DB11 AMR 2018 review
A 30bhp power hike for the 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 isn’t as dramatic as it could have been, but 630bhp at 6,500rpm still shades the Bentley Continental GT W12’s 626bhp and the Mercedes-AMG S 65 Coupe’s 621bhp.
A claimed top speed of 208mph and a 0-62mph time of 3.7 seconds keep the Aston’s nose just ahead, too. ZF’s eight-speed auto transmission remains in situ but with faster-shifting, more aggressive Sport and Sport+ settings. They join a louder, fruitier, freer-breathing exhaust, with more crackles and pops on the overrun to give the DB11 a racier persona.
AMR giveaways on the outside include exposed carbon-fibre trim, gloss-black detailing, dark surrounds for the headlights and smoked skins for the tail-lamps. The monochrome theme continues with a dark front grille and tailpipes, gloss-black roof and roof strakes, while the exposed carbon-fibre weave of the side sills and splitter lends the exterior some subtle contrasts.
Inside, the introduction of dark chrome is matched by extra Alcantara, although it’s traditional leather that wraps around the chunky rim of the curiously four-cornered steering wheel.
The DB11 AMR’s extra power, lighter forged wheels and chassis tweaks are easy to appreciate from the off, even in the softest ‘GT’ powertrain and chassis modes. Switch up to Sport or Sport+ and you’ll be amazed what the big car can do.
Few senior GTs hustle like this one; it’s a seriously quick and extremely secure bit of kit that doesn’t require hero-level skills behind the wheel to go stunningly fast. And if you really want to wring the neck of every last horsepower and extract maximum value from Aston chief engineer Matt Becker’s chassis handiwork and Bridgestone’s fat rubber, Sport or Sport+ is the place to be.
A 30bhp power hike for the 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 isn’t as dramatic as it could have been, but 630bhp at 6,500rpm still shades the Bentley Continental GT W12’s 626bhp and the Mercedes-AMG S 65 Coupe’s 621bhp.
A claimed top speed of 208mph and a 0-62mph time of 3.7 seconds keep the Aston’s nose just ahead, too. ZF’s eight-speed auto transmission remains in situ but with faster-shifting, more aggressive Sport and Sport+ settings. They join a louder, fruitier, freer-breathing exhaust, with more crackles and pops on the overrun to give the DB11 a racier persona.
AMR giveaways on the outside include exposed carbon-fibre trim, gloss-black detailing, dark surrounds for the headlights and smoked skins for the tail-lamps. The monochrome theme continues with a dark front grille and tailpipes, gloss-black roof and roof strakes, while the exposed carbon-fibre weave of the side sills and splitter lends the exterior some subtle contrasts.
Inside, the introduction of dark chrome is matched by extra Alcantara, although it’s traditional leather that wraps around the chunky rim of the curiously four-cornered steering wheel.
The DB11 AMR’s extra power, lighter forged wheels and chassis tweaks are easy to appreciate from the off, even in the softest ‘GT’ powertrain and chassis modes. Switch up to Sport or Sport+ and you’ll be amazed what the big car can do.
Few senior GTs hustle like this one; it’s a seriously quick and extremely secure bit of kit that doesn’t require hero-level skills behind the wheel to go stunningly fast. And if you really want to wring the neck of every last horsepower and extract maximum value from Aston chief engineer Matt Becker’s chassis handiwork and Bridgestone’s fat rubber, Sport or Sport+ is the place to be.