Aston Martin DB11 Drops Four Cylinders and Gains an AMG Heart

When the Aston Martin DB11 debuted in 2016, it came with just a single powertrain configuration. Now, with some time under its belt, Aston is dropping in a very familiar engine to complement the V-12.

The engine in question is the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 found in various Mercedes-AMG models. Now, Aston didn’t just take this AMG-tuned powerplant and slap it into the DB11. Instead, it massaged the engine a bit, adding a new intake and exhaust, installing a wet-sump oil system, retuning the ECU, and remapping its throttle.

The results took this V-8 to 503 horsepower and 513 pound-feet of torque.This new engine sprints the DB11 to 60 mph in just four seconds — about 0.2 seconds slower than the V-12 models — and on to a top speed of 187 mph.

Aston Martin DB11 V-8 (Credit: © Aston Martin)

The V-8 engine is 253 pounds lighter than the V-12, resulting in a curb weight of 3,880 pounds and more even weight distribution. This centering of the weight prompted Aston Martin to take the V-8 model a touch further by retuning its suspension bushings, geometry, anti-roll bars, springs, dampers, and ESP program to make the most of the shifted weight.

While the V-8 and V-12 models will be almost indistinguishable, there are a few mild variances that Aston highlighted. These include the V-8 model’s exclusive alloy wheel finishes, dark headlight bezels, and a pair of hood vents instead of the four on the V-12 model.

The 2018 Aston Martin DB11 V-8 is in showrooms now with a starting price of $198,995, making it $17,500 cheaper than the V-12 model.