Aston Martin 
has been relying on its VH (Vertical/Horizontal) platform since 2001, using it in all of its vehicles except the 2012 Aston Martin One-77 and the 2011 Toyota iQ -based 2011 Aston Martin Cygnet city car. That’s about to come to an end in 2016, when the Brits are set to introduce a new, lighter architecture that will include parts engineered by Mercedes’ high-performance AMG division. The new platform will also see Aston Martin vehicles receive the biturbo, 4.0-liter V-8 launched in the 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT , which will be supplied to Gaydon based on a partnership with Daimler . The first Aston Martin product to benefit from these new features will be the successor to the current Aston Martin DB9 , which will arrive in showrooms for the 2017 model year.
Not much is known about the grand tourer set to replace the DB9 , but Aston Martin has confirmed it will be sold as the DB11. In 2014, the brand trademarked the names DB10 through DB14 and used the DB10 moniker for the bespoke 2015 Aston Martin DB10 car built for the James Bond “Spectre” movie.
Updated 02/01/2016: Based on the recent rumors and speculations, we decided to create a rendering for the upcoming DB11 supercar. We hope you like it! let us know what do you think about it on the comments section below.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2017 Aston Martin DB11.
Exterior
The design of the DB9’s successor is still a mystery, but the mule shown in our latest batch of spy shots provides us with a few hints as to what the car will look like. Although the new body is far from being complete, it seems the grand tourer will sport smaller headlamps, a DB10-inspired front grille, and a revised hood.
Around back, there’s a shorter rear deck and rear overhang. I also expect a pair of slimmer taillights to replace the prototype units. New side skirts and reshaped front fender vents are visible on the sides, as well as larger third-quarter windows. The car also seems to be a tad smaller than the DB9, which could result in a more compact, sportier design. Based on these assumptions, our artist created a rendering of the upcoming DB11.
Interior
According spy shots we received from our paparazzi, the DB11 will feature 2014 Mercedes S-Class-sourced instrument dials, a rotary controller for the infotainment system, as well as switches for the air conditioning system. Even though it’s obvious that this isn’t the final interior (notice the way the switches are taped to the passenger side of the center stack), this is proof that Aston Martin is getting plenty of electronics from its new partner in Stuttgart. I wouldn’t be surprised if the deal included a Comand infotainment system as well, but if it does, it would be specifically tuned to meet the needs of an Aston Martin.
I also expect the car to feature redesigned dashboard and seats, a digital instrument cluster, and a sportier steering wheel. As usual, the interior will benefit from Aston Martin’s tremendous attention to detail, high-end fit and finish, and acres of leather and Alcantara. Carbon-fiber inserts are also on the table on top of the aluminum bits usually found in these luxury rigs.
Drivetrain
The new platform will enable Aston Martin to offer both the traditional V-12 and AMG’s biturbo, 4.0-liter V-8. The turbocharged mill, which debuted in the Mercedes -AMG GT sports car in 2014, will motivate the next generation of Aston Martins per an agreement the Brits signed with Daimler last year.
The V-8, which cranks out up to 503 horsepower in the Mercedes-AMG GT, is likely to squeeze nearly 550 horses in the Aston, while the V-12 could be tuned to deliver around 650 horsepower. The added oomph is rumored to be the result of turbocharging, which means the DB11 would be the first of its kind to hit dealerships without a naturally aspirated mill.
Recently, the Brits confirmed that the new V-12 is a twin-turbocharged unit displacing 5.2 liters, and according to a teaser video it sounds downright menacing. More information is not available as of January 2016, but we’ll be right back as soon as Aston Martin spills the beans.
Prices
It’s way to early to talk about prices, but given the current DB9 starts from $187,000, it’s probably safe to assume the DB11 will cost less than $200,000 before options.
Competitors
2011 Jaguar XKR-S
The first thing you need to know about this vehicle is that Jaguar will be selling redesigned XK and derivatives by the time the DB11 rolls out. Details are pretty much scarce as of April 2015, but it appears the upcoming XK will ride on a stretched F-Type platform and will grow both in size and price. Consequently, the XKR-S will come even closer to the DB11.
There’s no info as to what engine will be drop in the next XKR-S, but the current model is still powered by a supercharged, 5.0-liter, V-8 engine that generates 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque from 2,500 rpm. That’s just enough to propel the coupe from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.2 seconds and up to a top speed of 186 mph. The 2014 XKR-S returns an estimated 22 mph on the highway and costs $132,000 before any options. 2015 will be last model year for the current-generation model in the United States.
Read our full review here.
2015 Maserati GranTurismo
On the market since 2007, the Maserati GranTurismo is also scheduled to get a replacement by 2017. But unlike the Jaguar XK, which will grow in size, the new GranTurismo will be slightly smaller, although it won’t lose its 2+2 seating configuration. The new model will also carry different styling, with past reports suggesting the next-gen GranTurismo will reveal Maserati ’s new design language.
Meanwhile, the current 2012 Maserati GranTurismo MC continues with a 4.7-liter V-8 engine good for 454 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. The oomph goes to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic and enables the coupe to hit 60 mph from a standing start in 4.8 seconds. That’s 0.2 seconds slower than the Aston Martin DB9. Pricing for the Sport model starts at $126,500, while the GranTurismo MC fetches $143,400 before you start adding extra goodies.
Read our full review here.
Conclusion
While it’s sad to see the DB9 disappear after all those years, I’m sure the DB11 will be an improvement in just about any department, just like the former was when it replaced the DB7. Although there aren’t many details to run by as of April 2015, the new architecture and the AMG-built V-8 engine are already a fact. And these two feature can only mean a lighter, more powerful and quicker vehicle, which is great news no matter how you look at it. The king is dead, long live the king!
Brief History
Shown for the first time at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show , the Aston Martin DB9 went on sale in late 2004. Designed by Ian Callum and Henrik Fisker, the DB9 hit the sports car stage to replace the 10-year old DB7 . Throughout its career, the DB9 received numerous variants and special editions including the Volante convertible, as well as a race-ready 2008 Aston Martin DBR9 and DBRS9.
Aston Martin DB9
Updated History
Updated 01/27/2016: The guys over autojunk.nl just released an image of what appears to be the upcoming DB11, well at least the rear of the DB11. While no other details were offered, we expect to see an official debut with a few weeks before its global debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.
Updated 09/16/2015: Aston Martin officially confirmed that the DB9 successor will be called “DB11.” The model will be unveiled sometime in 2016 and was described as “the first major product of the company’s bold Second Century Plan.”
Updated 07/22/2015: Youtube user cvdzijden was lucky enough to catch the upcoming Aston Martin DB11 testing on the Nurburgring. Check out the video to watch the future supercar flexing its muscles on the ring.
Spy shots
July 20, 2015 – Aston Martin DB11 caught during hot weather testing
Read the full story here.
May 19, 2015 – Aston Martin DB11 looks great in black
Read the full story here.
April 23, 2015 – Aston Martin DB11 testing on Nurburgring
Read the full story here.
April 7, 2015 – Aston Martin DB9 Successor could be called DB11
Read the full story here.
March 25, 2015 – First testing session
Read the full story here.
Press Release
Aston Martin is today confirming DB11 as the name of its forthcoming sports car.
The new model – to be unveiled during 2016 – will sit at the heart of the luxury British brand’s range and represents the first major product of the company’s bold Second Century Plan.
While all technical and design details will be announced in due course, the confirmation of the name – which follows in the footsteps of other iconic Aston Martin sports cars such as the DB5 and DB9 – signals the start of an exciting period of dynamic product development by the company.
Announcing the DB11, Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: “Today I am proud and pleased to confirm that the DB11 nameplate will sit on our next new car.
“Not only is it a sign of our intention to continue the long line of iconic sports cars that bear the ‘DB’ moniker – the very bloodline of our brand – but it also shows the world our ambitious plan in action.
“The coming years will see Aston Martin transform not only its entire range of models but also its scale and global presence, and the new DB11 will be central to that success.”