The term ‘Grand Tourer’ is believed to have originated around the 1950s era and derives from the Italian word ‘Gran Turismo’. Enzo Ferrari was among the first and (most recognized) of the Italian pioneers to christen the highly desirable, iconic design. Fast forward over half a century and legendary British automotive firm Aston Martin is now leading the way for the Grand Tourer ideal.
The Aston Martin DB11 Unveil
The DB11 was first showcased on the world stage back in March 2016 at the prestigious Geneva Motor Show; an event that had motor enthusiasts gasping as they queued first hand to see the replacement of the ever-popular DB9.
Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer designed the DB11 to be ‘the most alluring DB to date.’
Probably the most exciting feature from the DB11 design is the ‘aeroblade’ intakes in the front strakes, which force the air out from the car rear vertically, contributing to a considerable amount of downforce. This is what Aston Martin describes as a ‘virtual spoiler’.
When motor journalist icon Jeremy Clarkson reviewed the DB11, he wrote ‘pay attention 007, this one does work’. And on the topic of the new aeroblade intakes, “something is keeping the rear end planted so maybe it does work. Maybe Aston Martin has really thought of something new.”
Reception to the DB11
The GT proved to be an instant classic, going down as a hit with luxury buyers – generating 1,400 orders during its premiere, even with its hefty asking price of £154,900. Aston Martin’s CEO Andy Palmer even quality checked the first 1,000 to show just how genuine Aston Martin’s commitment to quality really is.
The DB11 is just the first model launched in the firm’s ‘second-century plan’, which will see 7 models launched in 7 years. 7,000 vehicles of each model are projected to sell every year.
The Aston Martin DB11 is a car that can be appreciated for its astonishing aesthetics. So much so that coveted digital publishing house, Axel Springer, awarded the two door-coupe with the title of ‘most beautiful car of 2017’.
The original V12 model boasts a 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged engine, producing a roaring 600bhp and 700 Nm of Torque.
This power allows for a top speed of 208.2 mph and a 0-60 mph of 3.9 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds quicker than its (more expensive) rival – the Bentley Continental GT. You can also expect a combined average of 15-21 mpg between city and highway, which isn’t bad for industry standards.
The start of 2018 brought the launch of the Volante; the first convertible version of the DB11.
With the V8 version’s wild success, Aston Martin took to upgrading the V12. This upgraded model, launched in May 2018, acted as a replacement for the original.
Released in June, the latest variation of the DB11 is Superleggera, the company’s flagship Grand Tourer.
The Superleggera received various performance upgrades; along with the iconic DBS nameplate. Its name pays tribute to Carrozzeria Touring, who helped Aston Martin design some of the great grand tourer models of the 1970s and 80s.
‘One of the Greats’
The DB11 could go on to be considered as one of the greatest Aston Martins ever. With its ongoing stellar reviews and universal love for its beautiful aesthetics – expect more exciting variations in the years to come.
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