Since 2016, the Aston Martin DB11 has been a beacon of style, power and effortless cool. It is arguably the British manufacturer’s most complete vehicle to date.
Although the V8 model had Aston Martin purists up in arms when it launched — because how dare it not use a V12 engine? — it was a hit. Fast-forward to the latest models and doubts have been firmly left in the rearview mirror.
The DB11 V8 coupe we’re zipping around in is the type of car that sees passers-by straining their necks for a better look. It’s the combination of sleek, aerodynamic curves and that guttural roar when the engine revs to life that invites such admiring looks. The unmistakable gaping front grille and a rear that accentuates its width and sportiness make the DB11 V8 incredibly easy on the eye.
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It’s the perfect ice-breaker and status symbol, and perhaps that’s the whole point of owning an Aston Martin.
It’s not just a looker, either. The DB11 V8’s twin-turbo has a white-knuckle top speed of 309 kilometres per hour. And, while it’s not as fast as the V12 version’s 335kph, the V8 is quicker and stiffer through corners. You feel every inch of the road through its luxurious leather steering wheel. This makes the handling feel satisfyingly responsive. As the DB11 sits so close to the road, it’s a bit like driving a go-kart. Albeit an incredibly expensive one.
Of the three driving modes, GT is the default setting and will satisfy your need for speed from the off. Sport unleashes a few more horses under the hood for quicker acceleration and stiffer handling. And Sport+, which is for a track or the autobahn, removes all the driving aids and dares you to press the gas pedal harder.
One of the best things about switching through these modes is the noise the DB11 makes. Sport+ will unleash a primal growl through the exhaust pipes, which is punctuated with aggressive pops as it shifts through the gears. Utterly delightful.
The interior of the DB11 V8 is as impressive as the exterior. It’s all lush, soft-to-touch leather from the front to the back. The sports seats hug you comfortably in place. And, despite how it seems from the outside, there are two rear seats, which will surprisingly fit an Iso-Fix child seat. Perfect for those trying to convince their significant other that this can double as a family car.
However, the DB11 V8 feels behind the times. Despite borrowing a tonne of tech from Mercedes-Benz, including the twin-turbo engine, the deal didn’t stretch as far as the future-proofed in-car entertainment. It has a screen that looks like it should be detachable (it isn’t) and sits awkwardly out of the central console. Pairing it with Bluetooth devices is fairly straightforward, but the clunkiness of navigating the menus via the dial or the touch panel isn’t befitting of the esteemed name.
But to be hung up on tech in an Aston Martin is to completely miss the point. The Aston Martin DB11 V8 drives as well as it looks, that’s why you pay the entry fee.
As the company pushes to realise its all-electric vision — the first plug-in car is due in 2025 — the DB11’s future is up in the air. At the time of writing, Aston Martin says “all models will be available with an electric drivetrain”, but industry insiders think the petrol-powered vehicles will be phased out in due course.
Still, if this is how the manufacturer intends to park the DB11 series, it’s certainly going out with a bang. Style, substance and speed — the Aston Martin DB11 V8 is the complete package.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Honeymoonish
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Results:
5pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic (PA) Prestige Dh 110,000 1.400m | Winner: AF Mouthirah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic (PA) Prestige Dh 110,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Saab, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 1,600m | Winner: Majd Al Gharbia, Saif Al Balushi, Ridha ben Attia
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (PA) Listed Dh 180,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Money To Burn, Pat Cosgrave, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh 70,000 2,200m | Winner: AF Kafu, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 2,400m | Winner: Brass Ring, Fabrice Veron, Ismail Mohammed
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
Emirates Cricket Board Women’s T10
ECB Hawks v ECB Falcons
Monday, April 6, 7.30pm, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
The match will be broadcast live on the My Sports Eye Facebook page
Hawks
Coach: Chaitrali Kalgutkar
Squad: Chaya Mughal (captain), Archara Supriya, Chamani Senevirathne, Chathurika Anand, Geethika Jyothis, Indhuja Nandakumar, Kashish Loungani, Khushi Sharma, Khushi Tanwar, Rinitha Rajith, Siddhi Pagarani, Siya Gokhale, Subha Srinivasan, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish
Falcons
Coach: Najeeb Amar
Squad: Kavisha Kumari (captain), Almaseera Jahangir, Annika Shivpuri, Archisha Mukherjee, Judit Cleetus, Ishani Senavirathne, Lavanya Keny, Mahika Gaur, Malavika Unnithan, Rishitha Rajith, Rithika Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Shashini Kaluarachchi, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Vaishnave Mahesh
BLACKBERRY
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In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Brief scores:
Toss: India, opted to field
Australia 158-4 (17 ov)
Maxwell 46, Lynn 37; Kuldeep 2-24
India 169-7 (17 ov)
Dhawan 76, Karthik 30; Zampa 2-22
Result: Australia won by 4 runs by D/L method
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RACE CARD
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,900m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 2,000m
8.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
More on Yemen's civil war
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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