What are we looking at?

The new V8-engined Aston Martin DB11. Can't you tell? The headlamp bezels are darker, the alloy wheels have a unique finish and that expansive bonnet has only two air vents to the V12 model's four.

Right... tell us more about that engine.

Aston says it comes from Daimler AG, but given that most cars from the group powered by this V8 are badged 'AMG', we feel it's probably ok to mention that too. Anyway, it's a twin-turbocharged unit of 4.0-litre capacity. Aston has added its own air intake and exhaust systems, plus wet sump lubrication and its own engine calibration. The end results, in numbers in any case, is 510hp at 6,000rpm and a thumping 675Nm of torque from 2,000- to 5,000rpm. Aston quotes 4.0 seconds for 0-62mph (conveniently 0.1 seconds behind the V12 model...) and a top speed of 187mph. The V8 engine saves about 115kg, you see, so it's not really much slower, while being a smidge more efficient according to the official numbers (230g/km and 28.5mpg if you must know).

Doesn't seem to be a lesser car at all.

Agreed, and that's pretty much hinted at in Aston's press release, while making efforts to ensure the V12 model is still deemed to be 'The Daddy'. In fact, there's very little between them in pricing, either, as the V8 DB11 is £144,900, while the V12 is £157,900 - and buyers typically spend in the tens of thousands of pounds on customisation options in any case. The base specification of the V8 model inside is identical to that of the range-topper, by the way.

Any chassis changes?

Nothing drastic. Aston mentions a lower centre of gravity and even more agility thanks to the weight reduction and better distribution of the same. It has tweaked pretty much all the core components and even the geometry and ESP software, but we suspect it's by minute amounts.

So when do we see more?

Get yourself along to the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend to see the V8 DB11 in action. We'll be test driving it in September.

Shane O' Donoghue - 28 Jun 2017