A year on from Aston Martin revealing the DB11 at the Geneva Motor Show, the firm is now testing a hotter S version of its modern-era GT. Caught alongside the DB11 Volante in Sweden, the beefier coupe was trying, unsuccessfully, to hide several body tweaks in the pipeline for the high-performance DB11.
Starting with the front, there's a more aggressive look with a larger grille and a prominent spoiler lip, plus a redesigned bonnet with an aero-aiding horizontal slat at its base. There are also racing-style bonnet latches, but these won’t make it to the production model. We can’t see the gills of the bonnet just yet because of the disguise, but most likely these will sit in the usual place on the final production car.
It appears Aston Martin is also tweaking the vents in the front wings and is giving the DB11 S a pair of larger side skirts. A massive diffuser dominates the rear end while the intakes located at the base of the C-pillar remain hidden underneath the disguise. As with the DB11 Volante, the active rear spoiler was erect at all times during testing.
It’s too soon to say how much extra power the biturbo 5.2-litre V12 engine will deliver over the standard 600 hp, but we know the re-tuned engine will deliver a “roaring, brutal sound,” according to our spy photographers.
Through these spy shots we are also able to catch a glimpse of the interior featuring a pair of Recaro bucket seats and provisional testing equipment on the centre console. The prototype seemed to lack the rear seats as instead there was a roll cage, but things should get back to normal on the production-ready model.
Expect the Aston Martin DB11 S to arrive most likely in the second half of next year following the launch of the DB11 Volante in spring 2018.
Photos: Automedia
Gallery: Aston Martin DB11 S spy photos