Say Hello To The New 503bhp Aston Martin DB11 V8

Before we go any further, don’t panic: you can still have an Aston Martin DB11 with a 5.2-litre V12. This isn’t a case of downsizing - Aston has just brought another option to the table, and it’s quite a tempting one.

Under the massive clamshell bonnet you’ll find a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, and although there’s - funnily enough - no mention of Mercedes-AMG in the press release, make no mistake: this engine is based on Affalterbach’s ‘63’ eight-banger as part of Gaydon’s technical tie-up with Daimler.

It puts out 503bhp, which is almost 100bhp less than the V12, but thanks to the kerb weight dropping 115kg to 1760kg, it’s scarcely slower. 0-62mph takes four seconds dead, just a tenth down on the V12. Top speed is 187mph, meanwhile.

Perhaps more important is where the weight savings are. With less weight on the nose, it should be a far more nimble car than the V12, and Aston Martin claims it has “fully exploited” the DB11’s newfound agility with revised suspension geometry, bushings, anti-roll bars, springs, dampers and ESP software.

Interior options are all the same as the V8, but if you’re eagle-eyed enough you’ll be able to tell a V8 from a V12 on the outside. The alloy wheels get a different finish, the headlamps have been given darker bezels, and there are two vents on the bonnet, rather than four.

This should be fun to point out to your friends when you spot one, and they’ll almost certainly be very interested. Or maybe not.

The V8 should be much kinder to your wallet when it comes to running costs: you’re looking at 28.5mpg on the combined cycle, and 230g/km of CO2. Gaydon is expecting the car to be popular in China, where vehicle taxation is linked to engine size.

It’s available to order now, priced from £144,900 and up. First deliveries will happen during the last quarter of 2017.