Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Forza Horizon 3: A Design Evolution

This marks the next chapter of Aston Martin because as they ride on the winds of change, they are prepared to be extra prepared for it and for the company that has the power, beauty, and soul to create beautiful grand tourers for the road and track, they've introduced the brand new V12 5.2L Twin Turbo engine.



While this is smaller compared to the outgoing 6.0L V12 engine that has been around for decades, it performs like the outgoing engine and promises improved fuel economy. Sounds practical but flattering, if you insist. Anyway, this new engine can be found on Aston Martin's latest grand tourer...



The brand new Aston Martin DB11, which is part of Forza Horizon 3's Playseat Car Pack. With the latest FH3 car pack now on sale, now's your chance to try out this latest V12 masterpiece which is an evolution to Aston Martin's long line of grand tourers.



So, what's it all about the DB11? Having premiered at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, this new grand tourer marks a bold new chapter in Aston Martin's centennial history and while it was carved by the winds of change, the DB11 marks a design evolution to the Aston Martin grand tourer history. As a replacement for the DB9, the DB11 showcases its new design philosophy, pioneering aerodynamics, and became the first to use the all new 5.2L V12 Twin Turbo engine.

The new 5.2L V12 Twin Turbo engine produces 608PS of power and 700Nm of torque, making it the most powerful production DB model ever. Mated to its 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox, it does 0-60mph in less than 3.9 seconds and top speed of over 200mph. Not only the new turbocharged engine provides the new sound of Aston Martin's latest grand tourer, but also its new lighter, stronger, and more space efficient bonded aluminium structure that sets the template on the difference between mass and stiffness for sports cars. Aside from that, its driving dynamics, courtesy of its new engine, new body, and reworked suspension, is far beyond its engineering expectations when it comes to delivering a comfortable cruise on the open roads and unleashing its inner potential on the track.



I had to admit it that while the new turbocharged V12 engine isn't as sonorous as the old 6.0L V12 engine from the past, it sounds very smooth for a grand tourer because good grand tourers like this doesn't really need intimidating engine noises like the Lamborghini Aventador's and even if you put a lot of power on it, it's rather unnecessary for a grand tourer to let it all out unless its necessary. After all, isn't that how "grand touring" is made for that car's purpose? Still, I appreciate how Aston Martin had done for the new DB11 and while the exterior design is like a mix of the Vulcan, the Vanquish, and James Bond's DB10 from 007 SPECTRE, the interior is about as basic as a subcompact car, especially that it now has bits from Mercedes-Benz as part of their newfound collaboration.

With Aston Martin becoming part of the Anglo-German club like the ones you're familiar with, it's hard to fathom that this collaboration really is business as usual even in post-Brexit times. I guess this is how destiny's way to flipping its trump card to its sleeves or so they say but while this explanation can be put out later, let's try something special for the DB11 because this is the Aston I've been waiting to drive it since its launch.







This is what I called as shadowy as Shadow Eyes that glow like the Midnight Rose and as poisonous as a fire-breathing toxic lizard unleashing its acid downpour in the heat of the battle. Beneath the poison that lies from this Yozora Kasumi-inspired design lies the Shadow Eyes-esque performance only I can understand when I set off. So, with all that poison and fire injected to the DB11, how about I arrange a little meeting with the best of V12 Astons ever assembled and meet up at an undisclosed location somewhere Down Under. I called it the "12-Cylinder Knights of Gaydon" and why Gaydon, you may ask, is because this is where the Astons currently made. With the knights of Gaydon arrived, time for me to sit through the director's chair and get this film rolling in.




Although this is just me feeling the venom or the burn while the car is facing some corrosion issues race after race, the DB11 proved that this grand tourer is more than just grand touring, it can pry down almost anyone from the start to the last lap and like a fire-breathing toxic lizard crawling through unsuspecting guests from behind at the top of the peak of the volcano, the DB11 is full of surprises one after another.

Which reminds me, with the DB11 now here, looks like I have found a Grand Tour reference in my mind as later on, I am going to compare the DB11 against the Rolls Royce Dawn and the Dodge Challenger Hellcat in a battle of love, poetry, and coffee. Stay tuned!

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