Many of us dream of being James Bond, and the Aston Martin DB11 gets you close to that dream. The spy in the films actually drove a DB10, but the looks of the DB11 hold up well, and carwow agrees. Aston Martin also hoped those looks would pull buyers away from the Ferrari GTC 4 Lusso T, the Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe, and the Bentley Continental GT.
The rebirth of the brand started in 2016, when the company launched this all-new road car in the Andy Palmer era. It brought the VH-II architecture, which replaced the first iteration of the bonded extruded structure that debuted on the DB9 in 2003.
Many people call it the most important car in the firm’s history, though it was a great GT and not a quantum leap, much like other middling DB models.
Over the years the V8 model became more agile thanks to its lighter weight, and the AMR version gave the V12 model a sharper focus. Today its appeal keeps growing because it depreciates, so you can buy the last mainline GT with a V12 engine for about the price of a Porsche Cayman.
The coupe DB11 came first, and then the Volante arrived as an open-topped convertible derivative, one that is more rigid than any earlier cabrio the company built.
This newer version gave drivers better performance and handling, plus a more sporting feel. At the same time, refinement, comfort, and interior space kept it a true grand tourer.
Engine, Gearbox & Technical Highlights
The Volante launched with the 4.0-litre V8, the same engine you find in the Mercedes-AMG GT, and it makes 510bhp. It needs about 4 seconds to reach 62mph and tops out at 187mph. A paddleshift gearbox handles the changes, and a drive mode control system tunes the powertrain and the chassis separately.
Every mode works well for road use, and Sport Plus is the one most drivers will love. The VH-II aluminium architecture sits under the DB11, the DBS, and the Vantage. This bonded and riveted structure feels stiffer and lighter than a normal aluminium frame, and Lotus inspired the idea.
The car has a 65mm longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs than the DB9. Double wishbone suspension at all four corners gives it good wheel travel, and adaptive dampers and coil springs keep that travel under control. You will not find air springs or active anti-roll here, as you do on the Bentley Continental GT, because the Aston carries less mass.
ZF supplies the eight-speed automatic gearbox, and it sends power to the rear wheels. The layout with the gearbox mounted on rear axle improves the weight distribution, which suits a GT. A carbonfibre prop shaft keeps the driveline light and free of inertia.
A mechanical limited-slip diff and active torque vectoring help the car in corners. The brakes are iron as standard.
The V12 is bespoke, all-alloy, quad-cam, and 48-valve, and it displaces 5.2-litre. This twin-turbocharged engine made 600bhp and 516lb ft at first, and then the DB11 AMR lifted it to 630bhp. Another source quotes 608hp and 3.9 seconds for the same car.
Later, the DBS Superleggera, the V12 Vantage, the V12 Speedster, and the Valour all used this engine. Emissions regulations pushed Aston to add cylinder deactivation, which it calls Intelligent Bank Activation, along with stop-start. When you are cruising, both engines run with cylinders off for a bit of fuel saving.
The driving modes, which are GT, Sport, and Sport+, change the damping, the steering, and the engine mapping. You can also mix the settings to suit your own taste.
The V8 first made 503bhp, and then Aston raised it to 528bhp, with 498lb ft of torque at just 2000rpm. The M177 AMG unit is a 4-litre twin-turbo V8, and it also powers the DBX, the DB12, and other models, which makes the Vantage a close cousin. The 510hp version runs 0-62mph in 4.0 seconds.
Aston Martin says the lighter V8 drives best, and its petrol engine keeps the car under 1800kg. It comes from Mercedes-AMG, and the V8 and V12 both suit the car well.
Driving Experience
Start the twin-turbocharged engine in full woofle mode and it wakes the whole street, or pick quiet start if you want a gentle exit. It sounds like a thoroughbred, with a roar under hard acceleration and a growl that turns muted and melodic when cruising. That sound belongs to Aston Martin alone.
This car loves miles. It crosses Britain, France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy with ease, and then it enjoys the flowing roads of Tuscany. Tighter roads are not its best place, but its fitness for purpose as a GT is hard to beat.
In a corner, resist the urge to downshift. Lean on the V12 torque and keep the revs low, because this engine lacks the top end of the naturally aspirated cars of the past. Switch to Sport Plus or Sport and the exhaust note comes alive, while double glazing softens the soundtrack inside even though turbochargers now sit under the bonnet.
The V8 model feels sharper because it carries less mass over the nose. It turns in with more energy even though the grip levels match the V12. The steering feels quick, and the balance shines in a fast corner.
The car leans on its outside rear wheel and tells you to press the throttle early. That builds confidence, and even over the limit the car stays calm. Push the front end and you hear the front tyres chirp, yet the long nose never washes wide.
The steering gives little feel, but it stays accurate, and you sense real solidity. A bumpy British B-road is the weak spot, because the damping has little time to settle the car, so it feels floaty at turn-in. The DB12 avoids that problem, but some drivers still prefer the DB11 for day-to-day use.
Long suspension travel keeps the car relaxed over bigger bumps, and that suits a long journey. The engineering from the Matt Becker-era Astons means the car keeps its cool when the road gets hard.
The V8 coupe reaches 62mph in 4.0sec, and the V12-powered AMR needs only 3.7sec. The AMR has 102bhp more but only 18lb ft more, and the extra weight blunts that gain. Chassis tweaks and revised calibration make it smoother than early V12s.
The upper rev band is worth exploring because you hear the Aston Martin bark there, and the car sounds louder outside cabin than inside. The V12 really gets going near 4000rpm. The V8 feels unstressed, because its hot-V turbo layout gives a strong mid-range and a surge of acceleration that matches a 992 911 Carrera.
On a country road it beats the S-Class Coupe and other big GT cars for fun, but it feels firmer than a Mercedes or a Bentley in town. Take care on wet roads, because the car can start spinning wheels. It is a GT car and not a b-road sports car, yet it stays engaging and mightily quick, with big torque figures and a sharp-shifting transmission.
Design, Interior & Tech
The Volante shares the single-piece aluminium bonnet and the Curlicue shape with the DB11 Coupe. Its slim light blade tail lights form a C graphic, and that gives the car a night time illuminated signature. The overall styling looks handsome and muscular, with haunched rear wheel arches, a long flowing bonnet, and clever aerodynamics.
You can spot these Aston Martin trademarks from far away, and the aluminium body keeps the shape crisp. Inside, wood veneer or carbon fibre veneer covers the seat backs. A fully digital instrument panel sits behind the wheel, and a start button with keyless go replaces the old emotional control unit key that you pushed into the dash.
The cabin fits two adults well, and the centre console looks clean and modern, though the square steering wheel needs some time. You get opulent leather, wood inlays, customisable colour schemes, and even a choice of seat belt weave.
Today the interior looks dated and a little lacklustre, but it still has artisanal luxury. It feels cramped next to the Bentley Continental GT, and it lacks some Bentley glamour. The tech runs five generations behind the best, so it counts as pure old tech.
You get no head-up display and no adaptive headlights. In return, you enjoy a hand-built feel, and you can specify almost anything, which makes personalisation a real strength.
Mercedes supplied the infotainment screen and the switches, and their S-Class origins show. The back seats only fit weekend bags on a trip to the South of France, and the boot is small for a continent-crossing GT.
Aston Martin DB11 Running Costs
Owners rarely worry about economy and emissions, but Aston does, because it must cut its average CO2 output or pay EU fines. That is why engine downsizing here means a 4.0-litre engine with twin turbochargers. This new powerplant brings a big gain.
The old DB9 Volante made 389g/km and managed only 17.2mpg. The V8 DB11 makes 230g/km and returns 28.5mpg. The 6.0-litre V12 in the V12 Vantage Roadster gets 19.2mpg and 343g/km on the combined cycle.
In the real world, fuel consumption is still weak, and you will see 20mpg on a good day. The V12 returns 18-22mpg on the WLTP cycle, and it falls into the teens when you push hard. The V8 can reach 24mpg in gentle motorway driving.
For a grand tourer it is thirsty, but the Bentley Continental GT Speed and other competitors drink just as much. The CO2 figure dropped over time, yet that matters little for tax. Cars from April 2017 pay £195 a year at a flat rate.
Aston Martin ownership is expensive, and servicing costs more if you move up from a cheaper brand. No catastrophic problems have appeared so far, but quality control slipped on early cars. Owners reported panel fitment faults and some infotainment glitchy moments.
Check the bodywork aero channels for detritus and blockages, from the coupe window to the spoiler. Look at the vents ahead of front wheels too, because they keep the sides dirty. Ask for the full service history and MOT history, and book a multi-point pre-purchase inspection. Buying approved used or from a specialist gives extra peace of mind.
Price, Values, Rivals & Alternatives
The V8 Volante starts near £159,000, and whether that is value for money depends on you. The Maserati GranCabrio MC, the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster, the Jaguar F-TYPE SVR, and the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet all cost less. They lack the exclusivity though, because makers build them as mass-produced cars.
The closest rival is the V12 Vantage Roadster with Sportshift III, a 6.0-litre engine, and 573bhp. The DB11 Volante puts more weight on sportiness. The price covers all the equipment you need, and you can still personalise the car with aesthetic flourishes and hand-crafted interior additions.
If badge kudos matters little to you, the Lexus LC makes a fine alternative, and it really rivals the Mercedes SL and the BMW 8-series. The DB9 GT and the second-generation Vanquish are lovely cars too. Neither offers the rounded skillset of a good DB11.
Early cars now cost about £60,000. The V8 came later in 2017 as the entry level model, so it starts near £65k. The 2018 AMR now starts at £75k with a V12 and 630bhp, and that is a super GT for Cayman GTS money.
The DB11 never faced the Ferrari F12 or the 812 as direct rivals. It met the California T and the Portofino instead, and the Roma arrived in 2020 when the DB11 AMR was already waiting. The Bentley Continental GT Speed in V8 spec feels less dynamic, but it is more practical as a long-distance GT.
Mercedes and Bentley offer more comfort and luxury. Anyone who wants a true GT car must decide on their own priorities.
Verdict
The Aston Martin DB11 shows how the bonded structure made a large step forward possible. The Volante is 26kg lighter and 5% stiffer than its predecessor, and the result is magnificent. It mixes performance and agility with comfort, refinement, interior space, and room for luggage.
Other cars are quicker, higher-tech, or sharply handling, but the coupe and the Volante both win on feel. When you have many miles ahead, the journey feels special instead of effortlessly rapid. If a mountain pass sits between you and your fourth home across Europe, the Martin DB11 will put a smile on your face.
FAQs
Is the Aston Martin DB11 a good car?
Yes, the Aston Martin DB11 is a great GT with handsome looks, strong performance, and a hand-built cabin you will love.
What engines does the Aston Martin DB11 have?
You can pick the 4.0-litre V8 with 510bhp or the 5.2-litre V12 with up to 630bhp in the DB11 AMR.
How fast is the Aston Martin DB11?
The V8 reaches 62mph in about 4.0 seconds, and the V12-powered AMR does it in 3.7sec.
How much fuel does the Aston Martin DB11 use?
Expect around 20mpg on a good day, with the V12 at 18-22mpg and the V8 up to 24mpg.
How much does a used Aston Martin DB11 cost?
Early cars start near £60,000, the V8 near £65k, and the DB11 AMR from £75k, which feels like a dream super GT for the money.
