GoCars Blog

When you hear the name Aston Martin what comes into your mind? Power, class, performance, gorgeous looking, style, quality, panache or maybe even James Bond? Well apart from the latter, the new DB11 has all the other attributes and more. Aston Martin has really moved into the 21st century with their latest model.

As a company, Aston Martin has had its fair share of problems, particularly in the financial area. It is the only independent car manufacturer left in Great Britain, and now it is looking for stability. This will include the introduction of new models and even the use of new technology with electric propulsion planned for the future.

Total Transition

While the company is going through this transition, it has created the very latest in the DB series, and this car pushes out 600 horsepower that is developed from a twin turbo V12 engine. The car has been totally redesigned and is a far cry from previous DB series models. The architecture of the car is now aluminium, which makes it stiffer and lighter, so handling is vastly improved. The design, as always, is very striking.

New Engine

Under the clamshell hood is the power plant that delivers all of the performance. A 5.2 liter, V12 engine with 516 lb – ft torque that has been designed in house and is twin turbocharged. These turbos are the very first to be installed on a production Aston Martin. The engine is coupled with an automatic eight speed transaxle.

When the DB11 is cruising it will run as a straight six which is much better for fuel economy. It cycles the active cylinder bank so that catalytic convertor temperatures are maintained. The performance of the car is very impressive, with a 200 miles per hour top speed and a 0 – 60 mph time of just 3.9 seconds.

New Aerodynamic Enhancement

To make the Aston Martin DB11 more stable at speed, there are a number of new aerodynamic enhancement features that are hard to see on the surface. At the base of the C Pillar, which is where the roofline meets the body, there are air intakes which channel air to a slot which is on the top of the deck lid, and there is a small Gurney flap which will be raised after 90m mph is reached.

The new aerodynamic system is called "AeroBlade" and it is really a virtual spoiler, which is designed to reduce any lift when moving at high speeds. This is typical of the Aston Martin approach; other manufacturers would just have added a large wing and left it at that

Inside The Car

Aston Martin have an ongoing partnership with AMG, and because of this the interior of the car is very “Benz” looking. Not that this is a bad thing of course. The center console and switchgear as well as the infotainment system are all borrowed from AMG. They certainly look the part though. Everything is much improved on the old British auto electrics standard.

The interior is covered in leather which smells just great. The seats are really comfortable and the upholstery is really fine. There is a motorized central arm rest and motorized storage bin lid.

The instruments in the car are TFT and there is an 8 inch display screen located in the middle of the dashboard. You can have automated parking as an option and a 1000 watt audio system from Bang and Olufsen as well.

Style Changes

This is one of the most glamorous models that Aston Martin has produced. The new DB11 is two inches longer than its predecessor and the wheelbase is 2.6 inches longer and an inch wider than the DB9 model

There is a low roof that has a graceful dip into the rear fenders which are flared. When you see the car it looks like it has big hips, but it is really stylish. It has a fastback silhouette that is clean looking, and the long hood and strong lines complete the cars beauty.

What About New Aston Martin DB11 Prices?

The base price of the new DB11 will be a cool $214,820. If you want customization and extras then be prepared to shell out quite a bit more. It shouldn’t be too difficult to find an Aston Martin for sale. The new Aston Martin DB11 for sale in the USA will be much sought after, so you had better get your order in quickly.

It is rare that the arrival of a new car could cause so much excitement, but the new Aston Martin Zagato is doing just that. The British car manufacturer has once again collaborated with the Zagato Italian design house, to produce a car that is truly sensational. The new Zagato Concept was recently unveiled at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este at Lake Como, Italy on 21 and 22 May 2016

This is not the first time that Aston Martin and Zagato have worked together. Their partnership started way back in 1960, when the DB4 GT Zagato was born. The new design of the Zagato Concept takes some influences from more recent collaborations, such as the One 77, the Vulcan and the most recent DB11.

Designed In Warwickshire Not Milan

The new concept car was actually designed in Warwickshire, England and not Milan. The new car has the same small "Z" logo as with previous collaborations, but Aston Martin's studio in Gaydon, Warwickshire was responsible this time. It has already been named the most beautiful car of 2016.

Bodywork on the new Zagato Concept is made entirely of carbon fiber, and it has a real aggressive design to it. The front of the car has been transformed with a cascading roofline and wraparound glasshouse.

The traditional side strake structure extends from the wheel arch to the door, and this was first used on the CC100 Concept Roadster, and can be seen on current DB11 models. The side mirrors and the windshield are part of the same glass frame, and this gives the appearance of wrapping around the Zagato Concept. The wing mirrors are modelled on those found on the One 77 model.

The classic Zagato "double bubble" roof concept has been used, which is a throwback to the early days of motor racing where additional roof space was required to accommodate racing helmets. This creates a subtle indentation into the rear window which looks amazing.

The Zagato Concept is very well sculptured at the back, which is similar to the profile of the DB11. It is very aerodynamic, and there is a retractable spoiler and a hatch which provides access to the compartment for luggage. The car has four exhausts, and these can be seen exiting from the carbon fiber sills. Bladed, LED round tail lights, are also to be found similar to the Vulcan model

The interior has a "Z" pattern quilted in the seats, and this is also embossed on the headrests and the door sections, and it is stitched into the center console. A cool mixture of aniline leather, carbon fiber and anodised bronze can be found on the rotary dials, facia and air vents. The carbon fiber has a herringbone pattern.

The Engine And Other Improvements

The Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Concept has a 5.9 liter V12, naturally aspirated engine which has been given a power boost to 592 hp (600 ps). The engine systems have been enhanced, and the dynamics of the chassis improved to create a very exciting driving experience. Sharper handling will be experienced with the return to an adaptive damping system.

The engine is an improved version of the same V12 engine that has been used since 1999 in the DB7 Vantage. It makes a fantastic noise when it is fired up, as you would expect an Aston Martin Vanquish to do. The older DB7 Vantage engine always sounded good, but the new Zagato Concept sounds a bit more aggressive than the old engine.

What Will The New Zagato Cost?

Aston Martin has yet to confirm that it will produce the Zagato in any quantity, so there is no information currently about the pricing. As a guide, the Aston Martin V12 Zagato was around the $450,000 mark in 2013, so if they do make sufficient numbers of the new Zagato Concept, then expect to pay north of this amount.

You Know That You Want One!

The Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Concept is a triumph in design and desire. It has been designed so that those that want it will simply fall in love with it. The details on this car have been given the finest attention, and the end result is a machine that is simply stunning!