As Aston Martin engineers dive deeper and deeper into the development of a successor for the DB9, we have now managed to get our lenses inside the car, tentatively named DB11, for the first time.
Given the British carmaker’s engine deal with Daimler, we are not surprised to see plenty of Mercedes-Benz components inside the DB11 prototype. For instance, the steering wheel and the (hanging, for that matter) climate control system come from the German carmaker.
However, the greatest focus is placed on the dashboard. As we noticed in the past, the DB11 test car makes use of a digital dashboard. Given Aston Martin’s craftsmanship aura, seeing them moving into the era of 1s and 0s won’t be as easy as things have been with, say, Lamborghini.
Nevertheless, the prototype makes use of the S-Class digital instrument cluster. Alas, the S-Class dash is one of the most inert in the business, so we hope Aston’s version will be considerably more enticing.
Still, the DB11 has plenty of test miles to rack up until the development is completed, so there’s plenty of time for things to evolve.
Evolution? No, revolution. That’s what’s happening with the tech side of the car. Gaydon is retiring its current version of the VH architecture, introducing a new platform. We don’t have a name for this yet, but we know it will offer plenty of treats.
For one thing, the new architecture will bring superior torsional rigidity, while decrease weight.
Just as important, it will make room for new engines. The AM11 V12 naturally aspirated V12 on the current model, which is still supplied by Ford, will have to go. It will be replaced by a twin-turbo V12 unit that will keep the Aston blazon alive.
Moreover, the DB11 will also borrow Affalterbach’s twin-turbo 4-liter V8, which will make for a new, easier to obtain, incarnation of the car.
Now that the cabin has been spied, we are waiting for Aston Martin to move into the next stage of development and start polishing things.
However, the greatest focus is placed on the dashboard. As we noticed in the past, the DB11 test car makes use of a digital dashboard. Given Aston Martin’s craftsmanship aura, seeing them moving into the era of 1s and 0s won’t be as easy as things have been with, say, Lamborghini.
Nevertheless, the prototype makes use of the S-Class digital instrument cluster. Alas, the S-Class dash is one of the most inert in the business, so we hope Aston’s version will be considerably more enticing.
Still, the DB11 has plenty of test miles to rack up until the development is completed, so there’s plenty of time for things to evolve.
Evolution? No, revolution. That’s what’s happening with the tech side of the car. Gaydon is retiring its current version of the VH architecture, introducing a new platform. We don’t have a name for this yet, but we know it will offer plenty of treats.
For one thing, the new architecture will bring superior torsional rigidity, while decrease weight.
Just as important, it will make room for new engines. The AM11 V12 naturally aspirated V12 on the current model, which is still supplied by Ford, will have to go. It will be replaced by a twin-turbo V12 unit that will keep the Aston blazon alive.
Moreover, the DB11 will also borrow Affalterbach’s twin-turbo 4-liter V8, which will make for a new, easier to obtain, incarnation of the car.
Now that the cabin has been spied, we are waiting for Aston Martin to move into the next stage of development and start polishing things.