Aston Martin DB11 V8 2017 UK first drive

Extensive use within the vast AMG range means this ‘M178’ engine is now a well-known quantity, and because Aston has been limited largely to making only exhaust-tract modifications, it’s origins are unmistakable. That means a dominance of low-frequency tones, but instead of a relentless Harley-style thump, the note has been tuned to additionally deliver a more buoyant, refined quality, and that’s noticeable.

Basically, this car can still bellow profanities but it does so in received pronunciation, as you’d expect of an Aston. That’s especially true in Sport+ mode, which now gives you an even more distinct snap, crackle and pop with every lift of the throttle.

Peak torque of 513lb ft still arrives at just 2000rpm, though, so there’s rarely a moment when this car isn’t ready to hurl itself at the next closest object with an enthusiasm only just short of frightening. An abbreviated path for exhaust gases – brought about by AMG’s placing of parallel turbochargers within the vee of the engine – also means that from 4000rpm or so there’s no turbo lag of which to speak. This is an engine with extraordinary mid-range response, although the V12 still hits harder higher up and is undoubtedly the sweeter instrument when you’re stoking things. In the V8, you’re encouraged to pull the aluminium paddles – whose travel has been usefully halved – well in advance of the 7000rpm limiter. Not so in the V12.

Aston’s stated aim with the V8 has been to retain the DB11's GT spirit but engineer in a little more athleticism and, frankly, you’d expect all the development work to stand it in good stead on the kind of British roads we all love to hate. It has, as it happens. At 1760kg, this is still a heavy car, but it’s also a deeply intuitive steer, exhibiting a natural rate of response in all the major controls and tight body movements – the nature of which you simply wouldn’t credit as belonging to a full-size Aston.

Indeed, two steering wheel-mounted buttons – one for damping, another for throttle, exhaust and transmission mapping – give the driver a degree of personalisation, but your enjoyment certainly isn’t dependent on getting the settings just so, as it is with, say, the Audi R8. Even on wet, uneven roads, you’re given the confidence to chase the throttle, and that’s not just to do with the recalibrated, firmer steering, which is nicely damped yet communicates conditions beneath you so eloquently. It’s also because the V8 DB11 melds GT-car pliancy with the precise, agile exuberance of a smaller beast. That’s otherwise known as having your cake and eating it – owners of the V12 just get a very, very lovely cake.