Gaydon’s updated grand tourer has been spied testing at the Nürburgring ahead of its debut in the coming months
Seven years since its 2016 reveal, Aston Martin is readying its most significant DB11 update yet. Expected to launch with the DB12 badge, the marque’s grand tourer is set to receive a collection of substantial changes when it’s revealed later this year, including upgrades to its powertrains, suspension and design.
While the new DB12 will share its basic body-in-white and chassis with the current DB11, much of the car will be all-new beyond that, with significant upgrades to the powertrains and completely redesigned suspension.
The updated powertrains will arise from Aston Martin’s technical partnership with AMG, only with new freedom to give the engines more Aston-specific hardware and tuning, similar to what has been done with the Aston-specific V8 in the DBX707.
Despite retaining the same main body there will be significant changes to its design, too, with this prototype revealing a fundamental change to its front end that replaces the previous forward-opening clamshell with a more traditional set-in bonnet.
This sits above a much larger and more sculptural front grille, with new LED headlights mounted either side. The DB11’s wheel arch strakes will remain, as will its distinctive roof bows. This prototype is also running a larger 21-inch wheel and tyre package similar to that found on the DBS – the DB11 has been available only on 20-inch wheels up until now.
The interior is also due to undergo its own extensive upgrade, again leveraging a more fruitful technical partnership with AMG that will see the latest current touchscreen MBUX interfaces integrated into the DB12’s interior – albeit with unique Aston Martin graphics and software. Through these new electronics, the new DB12 will also be fitted with a more modern suite of safety and convenience features that will bring it right up to date against rivals from Bentley and Ferrari.
Aston Martin has confirmed that the new model will debut later this year as part of its 110 year anniversary celebrations, preempting similarly substantial updates to the Vantage and DBS that will follow in 2024.
Keyword: 2023 Aston Martin DB12 spied – DB11 successor due in Spring