Cleaner, but with more character

Ahead of its dynamic debut at this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, Aston Martin has revealed the DB11 V8, which hides a smaller and more efficient 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine beneath its bonnet, sourced from its new partner, Mercedes-Benz. While the car has been partly conceived to appeal to markets such as China, where large-capacity vehicles are more heavily taxed, Aston claims the 510PS, 1,760kg DB11 V8 reveals more of the Grand Tourer’s inherent sporting character. From the outside, you can distinguish the V8-powered car by its darker headlight bezels and the two bonnet vents, as opposed to the V12’s quartet. And the price, we hear you cry? It’s 184,000 euros, which is a considerable 24,900 euros less than the V12 variant but also dangerously close to a fully loaded Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupé. Fear not — a twin-test is being planned as we speak.

Photos: Aston Martin