The freedom of choice, it has been said, is what makes life interesting. If we weren’t given a say on what car we’d have, we’d all be driving white, nondescript sedans. And how exciting would that be?
Apart from being able to choose between an Aston Martin and another car brand, the British carmaker gives buyers who want the DB11 Grand Tourer a bit more leeway on what engine they can have under that sleek hood. Besides the 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 that came with the car when it was launched last year, one can go for the more efficient yet still capable 4.0-liter V8.
While it may be down on displacement, this twin-turbo motor is anything but lacking for grunt. The 503hp and 675Nm output and torque allow the Aston Martin DB11 V8 to sprint from 0-100kph in just 4 seconds and reach a 300kph terminal velocity. Of course, the smaller capacity translates to less visits to the gas pump.
Of course, you don’t buy an Aston for efficiency. This is why engineers have put in a bit of electronic calibration and ECU mapping to ensure that this lump performs just as potently and is as smooth and responsive as its V12 stablemate.
You can tell the DB11 V8 apart from its V12 variant thanks to styling bits such as darkened headlamp bezels, a pair of hood vents (versus the quad air breathers of the V12) set in either black or titanium, and of course, different alloy wheels. Either way, one will be getting a handsome GT that is as stunning as they come.
The new Aston Martin DB11 V8 made its debut at last weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Deliveries will begin in the fourth quarter of 2017. .
