Happenings

Singapore Gets Aston Martin's DB11

BY Azfar Hashim

Besides a suave bodywork, the highlight of the DB11 includes the twin-turbocharged V12 heart

The DB11 made its global debut last night, at the 86th International Geneva Motor Show, with Singapore clients and media having the privilege of seeing the reveal at a simultaneous launch event at the new Aston Martin showroom on Leng Kee Road. The DB11 was unveiled to audiences in both Geneva and Singapore at 9:00 pm local time. The unveiling was officiated by Mr Patrik Nilsson, Asia Pacific Regional Director for Aston Martin, and Mr Pang Cheong Yan, Managing Director, Prestige Division, Wearnes Automotive, in front of more than 200 guests and VIPs. The unveiling heralds a new chapter in Aston Martin’s 103-year history, as DB11 is the first product launched under the company’s ‘Second Century’ plan.

The DB11 showcases a fresh and distinctive design language, pioneering aerodynamics and a potent new in-house designed 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine. Built upon a new lighter, stronger, and more space efficient bonded aluminium structure, DB11 is the most powerful, most efficient and most dynamically gifted DB model in Aston Martin’s history. As such it is the most significant new Aston Martin since the introduction of the DB9 in 2003.

Innovative aerodynamics play their part in what Aston Martin deems 'an aesthetic revolution', with clever management of airflow both over and through the bodywork, aiding stability while maintaining the DB11’s uncluttered surfaces. Front-end lift is reduced by the gill-like Curlicue, which releases high-pressure air from inside the wheel arch via a concealed vent within the redesigned side-strake. Meanwhile, rear-end lift is reduced by the Aston Martin AeroBlade, a virtual spoiler fed by discreet air intakes located at the base of each C-pillar. Air is ducted through the bodywork, before venting as a jet of air from the aperture in the rear decklid.   

The heart of the DB11 is unlike any Aston Martin before it - the DB11’s heart is a 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12. Designed in-house, this new engine develops 600 bhp and 700 Nm worth of torque, making the DB11 the most powerful production DB model ever. Top speed is 322 km/h, and it does the 0 - 100km/h sprint in 3.9 seconds.

The DB11 can be driven in three different modes, namely GT, Sport and Sport Plus. With this, the driver gets to choose the setting for the transmission, suspension, steering and ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission. It also changes the character of the electric power steering and Active Torque Vectoring limited-slip differential, which is a first on an Aston Martin.

Technical partner, Daimler, had a hand in building the DB11's interior. It gets a full-colour 12-inch TFT LCD display, an all-new instrument cluster (presents primary vehicle information with absolute clarity), while a second, centrally-mounted 8-inch TFT screen is dedicated to infotainment. Controlled via an intuitive rotary control, with an optional touchpad offering character recognition, multi-touch and gesture support, the new GPS and audio system have never been more effective, sounded better and been easier to operate. Also standard is a newly implemented auto-park assist feature and 360-degree birds-eye view camera, also operated via the car’s infotainment system, ensuring safe maneuvers at slow speeds.

While price has not been confirmed, news from the grapevine puts it next to McLaren's 570S.

Mr Pang Cheong Yan addressing guests just before unveiling the DB11

Mr Pang Cheong Yan addressing guests just before unveiling the DB11