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Steve Sutcliffe Drifts Aston Martin DB11 Prototype on a Wet Track

The tradition of revealing cars before they are finished means that the Aston Martin DB11 that made its debut in Geneva two months ago won't be ready for delivery until the end of 2016. So what the press is getting to drive is a pre-production prototype that needs suspension and traction control adjustments and is still wearing camouflage.
Steve Sutcliffe Drifts Aston Martin DB11 Prototype on a Wet Track 1 photo
Photo: Screenshot from YouTube
But based on that car, British car journalist Steve Sutcliff says the new DB9 is a proper GT cruiser with great balance and unique handling characteristics. Auto Express videos are usually much shorter, but this is just a single 10-minute take at driving on the Bridgestone test track in Italy, not a condensed review. The highlight is the second part, when Steve takes the DB11 onto the wet handling circuit.

After a long career with Autocar magazine, Steve has now gone freelance with work appearing on the /DRIVE channel, and in Autocar's main rival Auto Express. Even though some may disagree with his opinions, he's still one of the few journalists in the country with serious motorsport experience. So when he says the V12 doesn't feel like it's been turbocharged, we have to believe him even though we smell a hint of British national pride.

When it comes to the under-the-hood stuff, we can draw a parallel with the Mercedes-AMG GT. While it downsized from a 6.3-liter N/A V8 to a twin-turbo one, Aston made its all-new V12 about 0.8 of a liter smaller by reducing the stroke. Performance hasn't suffered, as you can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and on to a top speed of over 200mph (322km/h). Sure, you can do that in the F-Type SVR too, but Astons are more special.

Compared to the DB9 it replaces, this new GT also features cutting-edge interior design. At the center of it all is a 12.3-inch TFT display that replaces the instruments and another 8-inch screen for the dash.

Highlights also include swan doors and aero effects inspired by the mental Vulcan. They are as good as Ferrari's but more discreet.

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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