Yahoo Autos New Cars for 2017: Aston Martin
DB11 (shown above): The turbo train hits Aston Martin with the new aluminum-intensive, twin-turbo DB9 replacement. This, the brand’s middle child, goes on sale in November starting at $214,820. The DB11 introduces a 600-hp port-injected 5.2-liter V-12 that, like its 5.9-liter naturally aspirated predecessor, comes from Ford’s Cologne, Germany, engine plant. It’s a precursor to a company- wide move to turbos; the next Vantage will have a Mercedes-derived turbocharged V-8. The DB11’s styling evokes traditional Aston-ness but with new angular chiseling and an eye-grabbing “roof strake” (basically the A-pillars and structural beams over the side glass) that can be rendered in various finishes. An updated interior runs the new Mercedes-derived electrical architecture with an all-digital gauge cluster and a modern center-console infotainment unit. With less engine displacement, plus cylinder deactivation, the DB11’s fuel economy should handily beat the DB9’s suck rate of 13/19 mpg, city/highway. See first drive review ››
Rapide S: Along with the rest of the Aston lineup, the four-door gets a new center-console infotainment system with upgraded sat nav and Apple iPhone integration, a dividend of Aston’s recent partnership with Mercedes-Benz.
V-8 Vantage: The next (and probably last) 100 copies of Aston’s aging entry-level car will be badged GTS, in coupe or roadster form, and in either Sport or Lux trim. All other trim levels go away. A Vantage replacement, however, is on the way.
V-12 Vantage S: A seven- speed manual becomes an $11,200 option on 100 individually numbered units, so 007 may want to hone his stick skills. See first drive review ››
Vanquish Zagato: This ultra-limited-production collaboration between Aston and the Italian design house Zagato is based on the Vanquish convertible, building on the same theme used previously for a Vanquish Zagato coupe. Like its hardtop predecessor, the new Anglo-Italian mashup features subtly recontoured body panels and other special touches, and just 99 will be built. Assume that they’re all sold by now.
Minor trim changes: Vanquish
Dead: DB9 GT, Vulcan
