Test mules of the replacement for the Aston Martin DB9 have been spotted testing at the Nurburgring with a twin-turbo V12 under the hood. Supplied by Mercedes-AMG, this motor is likely to share some commonality with the engine used in the S 65 AMG. As we reported previously, the car will additionally get a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, related to the one from the Mercedes-AMG GT sportscar and Mercedes’ new nine-speed automatic gearbox. The car will be built on an all-new bonded-aluminium platform.
As with the V8, Mercedes-Benz is set to provide off-the-shelf twin-turbo AMG V12 engines to Aston Martin with the English automaker modifying the engines to behave, sound and feel like its own.
At present, at its most powerful tune, the 4.0-litre twin-turbo AMG V8 generates 503bhp, a mere stone’s throw away from Aston’s current 5.9-litre naturally aspirated V12 that generates 510bhp in the DB9. In terms of torque, the AMG V8 outdoes the current DB9 V12, generating 66.2kgm compared to 63.2kgm. The details as to the AMG V12 are scarce as of now, though with the new V8 itself being on par with the current V12’s output, expect the new V12 to be a considerable step up.
Aston Martin has said that the new car will continue to carry the DB name but the number is yet to be decided, though company insiders have dubbed the car ‘DB11’. The new car is expected to go on sale internationally sometime in 2017.