2023 Aston Martin DB11 Coupe Performance

Both DB11 Coupes have mighty engines that make them ideally suited to the GT role. The 'base' model employs a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 producing 528 horsepower and 513 lb-ft of torque, generously donated from Mercedes-AMG. Power is fed to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox, enabling the V8 DB11 to reach 62 mph in about four seconds and carry on to a top speed of 192 mph. If nothing but a V12 will suffice, this model will oblige with its 5.2-liter twin-turbo unit that churns out 630 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, improving the 0-62 time to 3.7 seconds and increasing the top speed to 208 mph. So, the V12's performance advantage is relatively slim and, in the real world, it would be difficult to sense the difference. The Bentley Continental Speed W12 is similarly quick, needing 3.5 seconds for the 0-60 sprint.

Mercedes' AMG division has been cranking out world-class engines for years, so Aston Martin loyalists shouldn't feel shortchanged by the DB11 V8 using an AMG-sourced engine. Here, the 4.0-liter twin-turbo develops 528 hp (up by 25 hp over last year) and 513 lb-ft of torque and, with its 'hot vee' configuration, throttle response is improved. It pairs well with the eight-speed automatic and, as the performance figures above demonstrate, the V8 is barely slower than the V12. On the move, there is a deep well of power to tap into, making it easy to pass slower traffic and ensuring that the big coupe is largely unaffected by inclines.

If there is one complaint, it's that in this application, the V8 doesn't sound as loud or exciting as it does in Mercedes products. The top model's 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 delivers all of its 630 hp and 516 lb-ft to the rear wheels and, while performance is only slightly better than in the V8, the bigger engine's character is a few notches above as it wails towards the red line. The transmission is good rather than great; sometimes, downshifts take slightly longer than you want them to. But in normal driving, the unit shifts gears smoothly.

The DB11 has all the ingredients for heavy consumption, but the V8's figures aren't actually too terrible. EPA estimates for this model work out to 18/24/20 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles, dropping to 14/22/17 mpg for the V12. With a 20.5-gallon gas tank, the V8's combined cruising range works out to around 410 miles, decreasing to 348 miles for the V12.