Aston Martin DB11 packs even bigger punch

A power boost for the Aston Martin DB11 grand tourer headlines a raft of MY22 updates across the British sports-luxury brand’s line-up.

Still available in 2+2 coupe and Volante (convertible) body styles, the 2022 Aston Martin DB11 now produces peak power of 393kW from its Mercedes-AMG-sourced 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 – up 18kW.

Maximum torque remains at 675Nm, and while 0-100km/h times hold steady at 4.0 and 4.1 seconds respectively for the coupe and Volante, top speed increases to 309km/h – up from 300km/h.

The DB11 also now comes with optional Sports Plus seats, which Aston says adds extra support to the shoulders, thorax and legs for both the driver and front passenger.

Elsewhere, MY22 examples of the Aston Martin Vantage and DBS will now come with new 21-inch wheel designs, while the DBX can now be had with larger 23-inch wheels (instead of the standard 22s).

Aston’s SUV also adds Sports Plus seats and wireless phone charging, the latter now integrated into the infotainment unit to display the device’s charge status on the touch-screen.

In order to simplify things for prospective buyers, Aston has dropped the ‘Superleggera’ moniker from the Aston Martin DBS, while the ‘AMR’ badge has gone from the V12-powered DB11.

A range of new interior trims are now available too, with Aston Martin’s design team curating fresh combinations of materials, colours and features, “each showcasing a different design character to suit a customer’s individual taste”, the company says.

Aston Martin has also announced a new configurator website that aims to simplify the process of specifying its vehicles, as well as providing customers with a better look at their final creation – including the ability to view a “cinematic video” of the customised design.

A zoom function allows customers to view finer details, including an array of paint, leather and Alcantara options of offer, while various backdrops – including a studio or a mountainous landscape – bring a more realistic view of the individual design.

Developed alongside digitalisation experts MHP, Aston Martin’s new configurator site is based on the company’s Elastic Content Platform and is supported by EPIC’s Unreal gaming engine and NVIDIA RTX on Google Cloud.

What that means, according to Aston, is that customers receive “a highly personalised and visual experience, providing the ability to explore all options and custom features at an unprecedented level of detail and in real-time”.

Users will be able to share their design on social media, with the option to download a personalised brochure as well as have the option to book a test drive or schedule an online session with a local dealer at any point in the process.

The British car-maker says the new configurator is also a key component of its Project Horizon transformation plan, which includes a shift towards EVs, “which is set to rejuvenate the customer journey”.

You can click here to try the configurator for yourself, which is set for further improvements in the coming months.