Aston Martin DB11 V8 tested in Catalonia: An agile, light and powerful sports car
THERE has been a notable rise in complaints by consumers about the hassle they receive at airport car hire desks from salesmen who try to hard sell them excess insurance.
These methods are not new and have been practiced since the 1970s but never so aggressively.
The main reason is that selling these policies is a major source of commission to the staff of car hire firms.
Insurance specialists advise against taking excess insurance at the airport desks.
For those who need such insurance, it is cheaper to buy it online in advance of travel.
Other tricks to get money out of car hire customers include offering upgrades and gadgets at much higher prices, fees for less-than-full petrol tanks and charging for body marks on the returned car that the driver may not be aware of.
The simple advice for consumers when hiring a car abroad is to check the terms and conditions of the contract before booking.
It is a good idea to print this document and take it with you, highlighting relevant points such as clauses that say, “purchasing additional insurance is optional rather than compulsory.”
It is always a good idea to make all arrangements in advance and buy nothing at the airport desk. Any additional insurance offer at the airport should be declined.
The car should be checked before hitting the road and any defects or scratches pointed out to the company.
If there is a record of previous damage to the car, it should match the actual condition of the car.
Upon returning the car, it is a good idea to take photographs of the vehicle from all angles as proof of its condition after the hire period.
If one is unfortunate enough to get involved in an accident, follow the normal procedure of taking full notes about the circumstances and statements from witnesses if possible.
There is no doubt that car hire firms need to raise their game and show some respect for their customers.
LONDON: The choice of Catalonia in northeastern Spain to launch the new Aston Martin DB11 V8 to the world media was a smart move.
Adel Murad is a senior motoring and business journalist, based in London.
QThrough a carefully selected route of mountain roads and fast motorways, the V8 demonstrated its superior capabilities in agile maneuvering and precise handling.
The V8 engine provided more than enough power on motorways for straight-line acceleration.
Having tested the DB11 V12 earlier this year in
version, which has a “smaller” engine. In terms of sheer power nothing tops the V12 but there is more to the merits of the V8 than meets the eye.
The all-new DB11 V8 is some 115 kg lighter than its V12 sibling.
It is also more balanced with the engine moved slightly toward the center of the car.
These factors make for a more dynamic and agile car that is easy to control and handle.
In addition, the design is almost identical to the V12 and the interior is the same — yet the new version is about $17,000 cheaper.
There are subtle visual differences between the two variants that include a unique alloy wheel finish, dark headlamp bezels and a pair of bonnet vents instead of the quartet featured on the V12. These vents come in a choice of black or titaniumfinish mesh, again different from those fitted to the 12-cylinder variant.
The V8 is geared toward a new, younger customer base for the brand, and avoids punitive taxation on larger engines in some markets such as China. All in all, the package seems to be a winner in every respect. For the first time ever, a DB is born with two engine variants.
Customers have the same standard equipment options and also the same extensive choice of color and trim.
They also have a choice to enhance the specification of their cars via the option packs and designer specification packages available to the V12 customers, plus a suite of options by Aston
with twin turbo chargers that powers the DB11 to an output of 503bhp and 675 Nm of torque. tailor this exceptional power unit so that it meets the particular needs and demands of the brand.
It has an innovative shift-by-wire control system and a carbon-fiber propeller shaft.
The DB11 V8 reaches a top speed of 187 mph and accelerates to 100 kph in four seconds. Fuel consumption is 28.5 mpg in a combined cycle and CO2 emissions are 230 g/km.
What the V8 gives up in power (503bhp compared to 600bhp for the V12) it compensates for with agility, the light weight and ease of handling. By carefully crafting its dynamic character to be distinct from that of the V12, the V8 appeals to those customers drawn to a refined and comfort-
Standard equipment includes the full-grain leather interior with Alcantara headlining; electric front seats with heating, side airbags and memory setting; folding exterior mirrors; front and rear parking sensors and 360-degree surround-view parking cameras. The car also features cruise control and a speed limiter.
There is remote control door locking, a boot lid release and tire pressure monitor. The brakes are ventilated discs with six pistons at the front and four pistons at the rear.
said of the V8-engined DB11: “The DB11 is the most complete and sophisticated car Aston
engine option, we have broadened its appeal by offering a car that will bring the DB11 to more customers around the world while still blessed with the exceptional performance and memo-
from its rivals. Having driven the car during its development phase, it is not just the engine that has changed the character of the car, but also the resulting dynamic changes to create a SFNBSLBCMF (5 DBS XJUI JUT PXO EJTUJODU QFSTPOality from the V12.”
Paul Barritt, vehicle line director at Aston Martin, confirmed the DB11 V8 should arrive in the market this month but would probably take a little longer to reach some overseas markets.
He reckons about 60 to 65 percent of all DB11 production would be of the V8 variant.
The V8 will be popular in China for tax reasons, and in Europe and some AsiaPacific markets, while the V12 would remain strong in the US and Middle East markets, according to Barritt.
He said that the company had never previously introduced DB models with two engine variants, so it is hard to gauge market response.
There are no significant interior changes in the V8 and only cosmetic changes in the exterior.