Aston Martin may have skipped out on creating a production version of the DB10 used in the most recent James Bond film, but that’s okay. We ended up getting the DB11, a vehicle built on a new, lighter architecture that included parts engineered by none other than Mercedes-AMG. The DB11 made its debut in mid-2016 and showcased the brand's new 5.2-liter V-12 that had some 600 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of wholesome goodness. But, with that platform having plenty of AMG DNA at its core, that also means the DB11 is expected to get a version of the 4.0-liter, Biturbo, V-8 that was launched in the Mercedes-AMG GT. If Car News China is to be believed, the AMG-powered DB11 will make its debut at the Shanghai Auto Show next month.
Of course, there’s no official announcement as of yet, so specifics are still up in the air, but rumor has it that it will pump out around 530 horsepower – a figure that puts it about 70 horsepower shy of the V-12 powered DB11, which kicked out 600 horsepower and 516 pound-feet. According to the source, the DB11 V-8 will start out at 2.75 million yuan, or about $400,000 – about $70,000 cheaper in China than the V-12 model. And, since the V-8 is just below the 4.0-liter threshold, it will offer an attractive savings over the V-12 model thanks to it being in a lower tax bracket.
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That 4.0-liter V-8
So, if the DB11 is going to get a version of Mercedes-AMG’s 4.0-liter, we might as well take a quick look at the current versions found in the GT lineup. In entry-level form, the Mercedes-AMG GT produces 456 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. In the Mercedes-AMG GT S, it produces 593 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. In the GT C, it pumps out 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet, and in the GT R, it delivers a cool 577 horsepower and 516 pound-feet. Obviously, the engine is scalable depending on hardware changes here and there (new turbos with increased pressure in the GT R, for example,) so 530 horsepower in the DB11 isn’t exactly out of the question. It could even go up to 550 ponies, but I wouldn’t expect much more than that as it needs to remain below the output of the DB11 V-12.
Mercedes-AMG GT |
Mercedes-AMG GT S |
Mercedes-AMG GT C |
Mercedes-AMG GT R |
|
Engine |
AMG 4.0-liter V-8 |
AMG 4.0-liter V-8 |
AMG 4.0-liter V-8 |
AMG 4.0-liter V-8 |
Horsepower |
469 HP @ 6,000 RPM |
515 HP @ 6,250 RPM |
550 HP @ 5,750-6,750 RPM |
577 HP @ 6,250 RPM |
Max. torque |
465 LB-FT @ 1,700-5,000 RPM |
494 LB-FT @ 1,750-4,750 RPM |
502 LB-FT 1,900-5,750 RPM |
516 LB-FT @ 1,900-5,500 RPM |
Curb Weight |
3,395 Lbs |
3,461 Lbs |
3,660 Lbs |
3,428 Lbs |
0-60 mph |
3.9 seconds |
3.7 seconds |
3.6 seconds |
3.5 seconds |
Top speed |
189 mph |
193 mph |
196 mph |
198 mph |
With that said, anything could happen, but we’ll have to wait for official information or, at the very least, for the car to debut in Shanghai. Until then, what are your predictions for power output from the V-8 DB11? Let us know in the comments section below.
Read our full review on the Aston Martin DB11 here.