Used 2019 Aston Martin DB11 Volante for sale 

The 4.0L, twin-turbo V8 engine from AMG produces 503 hp and 505 lb-ft of torque. Of course Aston has tuned the engine further to make it suit the car and give it a distinctive sound. Costing $198,995, it's way cheaper than the V12 DB11 but promises as much fun with the same style statement.

Trim to go for

The DB11 comes in two trims - the V8 and the V12 AMR. Both the cars have been equipped with the same technology and equipment except that the AMR gets various performance upgrades, a bigger engine, and some visual zing in the form of lime green accents in the interior and the exterior. However, both the trims are quite different in character as the engine makes a big difference in the performance of the car along with different handling dynamics.

Aston Martin has sourced a 4.0L, twin-turbocharged, V8 engine from AMG which produces 503 hp @ 6,000 rpm and 513 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm, thanks to Aston's new partnership with Daimler. Aston further tuned the engine for the DB11 which also gives it a distinctive rich, sonorous burble with occasional pops and crackles. The engine is of course lighter than the V12 and very responsive indeed. The power is available progressively all across the rev range and the throttle response is unbelievable. The power band now is far more usable than the V12 and it's an Aston Martin tuned AMG and it's as amazing as the proposition sounds.

The 8-speed ZF dual-clutch gearbox is amazing too. The gearbox has also received some tuning for the newly calibrated powertrain. The shifts are instantaneous the tight. The gear ratios are perfectly spaced and seem to be a perfect fit for this powertrain. The only flaw with the gearbox would be a rather jerky upshift in the Sport mode from the second gear to the third gear. The column-mounted shift paddles also feel amazing to tap on.

There's yet another V8 sports car from Aston Martin itself. Fighting out with the DB11 is Aston's own Vantage. There's also the Mclaren 570 GT and the Mercedes AMG GT S. The DB11, the Vantage, and the AMG GT S are all powered by the same engine - AMG's 4.0L, twin-turbo V8 and the McLaren use a 3.8L, twin-turbo V8 which is also the most powerful.

Acceleration

The DB11 takes 4.0 seconds flat to sprint to 60 mph which is the slowest in the competition but that's no surprise as it is also the heaviest car. The Vantage with the same engine and power does it in 3.5 seconds on account of being much lighter. The McLaren 570GT is the fastest to 60 mph at just 3.2 seconds as it's the lightest and also the most powerful. The AMG GT S coupe does it in 3.5 seconds.

Ride and Handling

With the V8 engine, the DB11 saves about 250 lbs of weight at the nose and that brings about a whole lot of changes. The suspension and the damping have been recalibrated at the front and weight distribution has changed from 51/49 for the V12 to 49/51 for the V8. The lighter nose makes turning in much sharper and there is now more feedback from the front wheels. The slightly rear-biased weight distribution also allows a little more feel from the rear wheels. Dynamically, it's unbelievable how much differently the V8 drives from the V12. In fact, it drives so much better than the V12. Aston just seems to get better and better with every car they introduce in the DB11 range.

Strongly sticking to its GT roots, the DB11 maintains a comfortable ride at all times. Even in the sportiest setting, the ride is still comfortable. There are three drive modes - GT, Sport, and Sport+. The GT model epitomizes grand touring with soft suspension, relaxed power delivery, and gear shifts, and a light burble at the exhaust pipe. Dial-up to the Sports+ mode and the throttle response is amazingly aggressive with snappier gear shifts but the ride remains compliant enough.

The steering is sharp and precise, adequately weighted and you always go where you point the car too. It carves out its corners with great ease with great feedback from the road as well. In the sportier modes, the steering becomes adequately hefty. Sports mode is the best mode as it combines comfortable cruising with enough sportiness. However, the DB11 is an extensive car and you'd always be looking over the corners so that you do not scratch your car in congested roads or narrow country lanes. It becomes a little difficult to maneuver the car in such spaces but find the right road and the car is stunningly rewarding.

Braking

The DB11 V8 just takes 105 ft to come to a dead stop from 60 mph which is very impressive in this segment. It uses the same brake setup as used in the V12 and the AMR versions and is in fact lighter than both those cars. The brake pedal is nicely firm and with a progressive movement that provides a very good amount of bite. The car remains predictable and stable even under hard braking.

The DB11 V8 returns 20 miles to the gallon combined which is decent in the segment. The McLaren is the most fuel-efficient in the competition which returns 22 miles to the gallon combined. Even the Vantage is more fuel-efficient than the DB11 on account of being lighter returning 21 miles to the gallon combined.

Aston's interiors have come a long way from their last generation and the new generation interior was introduced with the DB11. The same interiors continue with the V8 and it's special like you would expect in a luxury grand tourer. The previously used retractable screen has been replaced by a static 8-inch infotainment display which has been sourced from Mercedes. The AC vents sit below the screen below which is a band of five buttons as before for the gear selector and the engine start/stop button in the middle.

The console below has been changed completely from the last generation. It is now a seamless screen with haptic touch buttons and a few physical buttons. The layout seems very contemporary and in fact, timeless. While using the buttons requires you to take your eyes off the road, it is quite pleasing to use. There's a rotary dial along with a trackpad on the center console for the infotainment system which is the same as is used in Mercedes Benz cars.

The instrument console has also changed completely. It's a completely digital unit with a physical outline for the main circular screen and it looks quite cool indeed. The screens are very configurable and the flat bottomed steering wheel with cool buttons and wrapped in Alcantara feels really nice to hold. There's plenty of use of leather all around the car and it really feels special like an Aston should feel. However, there are not many places to store your nitty-gritty. Not even a glove box.

Seating and Comfort

Your thrones in the DB11 are really amazing. Very well sculpted, they hold you well when you are cornering at high speeds. They are heated and cooled and are amazingly comfortable. However, the rear seats are quite cramped and no adult would fit there comfortably. It's best suited for children or luggage overflow.

Infotainment System

Aston Martin sources the infotainment system from Mercedes but it's the last generation of Mercedes's infotainment system which feels a little dated now. The system is not as fast to respond but it's otherwise a nice system to use. Also, the graphics could have been better. You operate the system with the familiar rotary dial and trackpad from Mercedes and it's pretty easy to operate through the system.

The screens in the instrument cluster are better actually. The graphic is better and they are quite configurable. The instrument cluster is more up to date and is a really cool feature in the AMR.

• Strathmore leather monotone interior
• Memory front seats and exterior mirrors (three memory positions)
• Heated front seats
• Front and rear parking sensors
• 360O birds-eye camera
• Cruise control & speed limiter
• Automatic temperature control with dual-zone climate control
• Electrically adjustable front seats with side airbags
• Pelvis and Thorax seat mounted airbags
• Electronic Instrument Cluster with mode-specific displays
• Keyless entry & go
• Heated rear screen
• Infotainment system with capacitive switching
• 400-watt Aston Martin Audio System
• 8.0" LCD screen

Cargo Capacity

The DB11 V8 has the smallest boot in the competition with only 10 cu. ft of space while the McLaren 570GT has the maximum boot capacity with 13.1 cu. ft of space.

The DB11 V8 does not look much different visually from the standard DB11 V12 that was being offered before. But one has to admit that the DB11 is a stunning looker. Perfectly proportionate and lots of muscles with a great amount of poise - that's what describes the DB11. The front is not busy like many other sports cars but just the wide gaping grille dominates the face. There are now two hood scoops rather than four as were in the DB11 V12.

When you move over to the sides, you realize the stunning proportions of the car. A bonnet that extends towards the horizon and a short rear overhang give the AMR an amazing silhouette. Little details like the fender scoops, side pods, and air scoops in the rear quarter panel are designed to maximize aero-efficiency for these otherwise smoothly flowing curves on the body of the car.

The rear quarter is probably the most attractive angle of the AMR. The sloping roofline comes to make the short rear overhang and then the extremely stylish LED tail lamps- a piece of sheer automotive art. The AMR gets a larger diffuser and the exhausts are painted in black which looks quite stealthy. There's also a lime green accent around the entire car from the front splitter, side skirts, and the rear diffuser which provide amazing contrast. However, this car is more about its curves and how beautifully the muscles have been carved out, particularly over the rear haunches. Stunningly beautiful.

The Aston Martin is the heaviest and longest car in the segment. It is almost the widest car after the Vantage and also has the longest wheelbase. With all its muscles, the Aston is still a very wide car that would not fit on a single lane of a B-road. The Vantage and the 570 GT appear very sleek and slender cars whereas the DB11 and AMG GT S appear big and burly and command a lot of respect that way.

• LED headlamps with integrated daytime running, sidelights, and direction indicators
• LED light blade tail-lamps
• Deployable spoiler to improve downforce
• 1 piece clamshell with syncing latches
• Curlicue aero feature in a fender
• Laminated glass all-round for improved NVH
• Titanium meshes
• 20" 10-spoke Silver
• Diamond Turned wheels
• Grey Painted brake calipers
• Bright Waistrail Finisher
• Smoked Rear Tail Lights
• Gloss Black splitter, diffuser, and sills

The Aston Martin DB11 does not come loaded with lots of safety features like we have become used to in luxury cars. It comes decently equipped with safety features, and you will certainly be safe in the car, but some advanced technologies that we see in some Mercedes or other brands are definitely not on offer. Neither NHTSA nor IIHS has rated the vehicle and we cannot offer you their ratings.

• Front and rear parking sensors
• 360O birds-eye camera
• Cruise control & speed limiter
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Alarm and immobilizer
• Electrically adjustable front seats with side airbags
• Dual-stage driver and passenger front airbags
• Curtain side and knee head airbags
• Pelvis and Thorax seat mounted airbags

Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs Aston Martin Vantage

They both have the same engine producing the same power, yet they are so much different in character. The vantage being lighter is better able to utilize the power of the V8 and it's also more stiffly sprung than the DB11. The Vantage is a purebred sports car with great balance and dynamics. On the other hand, the DB11 is heavier, does not try to be a sports car, is extremely well balanced still, and excels as a grand tourer with dynamics like that of a sports car.

Both look stunning but the Vantage looks just that extra bit special, both inside and out. The Vantage is way cheaper than the DB11 and with better performance with a stronger character than the DB11 and would be our choice among the two.

Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs McLaren 570GT

Lighter, more powerful, and faster - the McLaren 570GT is one of the best V8 engine sports cars that you can buy in the market today. If performance is the only criteria, the McLaren clearly has the edge over the DB11 but the 570GT - as from the suffix in its name - also intends to be a GT car which is where the DB11 clearly outshines the McLaren.

The DB11 has a greater sense of poise and character as a GT car and is the more comfortable and luxurious of the two. The interiors in the DB11 also seem to be better appointed and when it comes to looks, both cars look stunningly handsome. With not much price difference between the two, a choice between these cars depends on your preference. If it's outright performance, it's the 570GT and if it's grand touring, it's the DB11.

Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs Mercedes AMG GT S Coupe

They both use the same engine from AMG but the GT S Coupe produces a little more power than the one in the DB11, not that it makes much real-world difference. Is the faster of the two, more aggressive and always seems to be upon its toes. The DB11 on the other hand has a better balance. While looks are a subjective matter, the AMG GT is not the most aesthetic and in comparison, the DB11 seems much more graceful.

The interiors of the AMG also seem overdone whereas the DB11 keeps it subtle, yet special. There's however no beating the technology in the Mercedes. The AMG GT S being much cheaper than the DB11 is a real bargain for the performance it packs and just for that reason alone would be our pick amongst the two. If you want to pay the extra money for all the poise, character, and gracefulness of the DB11, it's every bit worth it too.

The Aston Martin DB11 V8 is a stunning car. Aston just seems to get better and better with every car they introduce. In fact, the DB11 V8 seems better than the V12 in some regards. It has better weight distribution, its lighter, and power from the V8 AMG engine is far more usable in the real world.

It unwinds beautifully around you and lets you have lots of fun with it. If sheer horsepower is not someone's priority, the V8 makes the more sensible and sweeter option in the DB11 range. Of course, it does not match the V12 in terms of performance, but in every other regard, the DB11 is an enjoyable car that will definitely put a smile on your face.