Development of the supercar that will replace Aston Martin’s DB9 continues with our spies spotting a cladded prototype undergoing hot weather testing in Europe.
Much of the bodywork is hidden under bogus panels, but the tester gives us a rough idea of the car’s silhouette and footprint, along with a few hints at the design details such as the muscular kink above the rear wheel arches and the sloping roofline.
Its name has not yet been officially confirmed, but unofficially, it’s believed that the British firm will use the ‘DB11’ moniker for the DB9’s successor.
These new spy shots come only a few weeks after we shared some revealing pictures of a DB11 prototype’s interior in which Aston Martin strapped in a multitude of Mercedes-Benz components, including a fully-digital instrument panel, and the command infotainment and air-conditioning systems from the latest S-Class.
The long-term tie-up between Aston Martin and Mercedes-Benz will go beyond electronic systems and autonomous safety features to include the German brand’s AMG V8 and V12 engines, though; it’s unclear at this point if the DB11 will switch to these units from launch.
If it does, the AMG GT-sourced 4.0-liter V8 will have more than 500hp while the bigger V12 turbo will exceed 600 horsepower. Speaking of the V12, there’s also a chance that Aston Martin may choose to employ a turbocharged version of their current Ford-sourced and –built 6.0-liter lump.
The DB11 will continue to use AM’s constantly evolving bonded aluminum VH chassis.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
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