Iconic Aston Martin Engines & Drivetrains

Short Answer

Aston Martin’s best-known engines are the twin-cam straight-six designed under W.O. Bentley and later by Tadek Marek, which powered the DB cars from the DB2 to the DB6; the four-cam V8 launched in the DBS V8 of 1969; and its V12 engines, from the 1999 DB7 Vantage to today’s 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12. Since 2017 its V8 cars have used a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 that began as a modified Mercedes-AMG engine, and its hypercars add electric motors. Most current models send power to the rear wheels through a ZF eight-speed automatic mounted at the back.

What has powered Aston Martins over the years?

Four broad families. The early cars used four-cylinder engines; from 1947 the twin-cam six-cylinder engine that came with Lagonda, later redesigned by Tadek Marek, powered the DB cars; the DBS V8 of 1969 began a four-cam V8 that lasted into the 21st century; and from 1999 V12 engines joined the range. Today Aston Martin uses a 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 it developed itself, a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that began as a modified Mercedes-AMG unit, and, in its hypercars, petrol engines combined with electric motors.

What powered the first Aston Martins?

Small four-cylinder engines. The Coal Scuttle of 1914 used a 1,389cc four-cylinder side-valve engine built by Coventry Simplex. Soon Aston Martin was building its own 1.5-litre side-valve fours, the ‘International’ of 1929 added dry-sump lubrication, and the Ulster of 1934 had a modified engine of 85bhp. From 1936 the 1.5-litre engines gave way to two-litre units.

What was the Lagonda six-cylinder engine?

The engine David Brown bought Lagonda for in 1947: a 2.6-litre twin-cam six designed by a team led by W.O. Bentley. It powered the DB2, first raced at Le Mans in 1949. The DB2/4 used its more powerful ‘Vantage’ version as standard, with a 140 bhp 2.9-litre option. On the DB Mark III, Tadek Marek redesigned the 3-litre engine, the last DB to use the six of Lagonda origin.

What was Tadek Marek’s six-cylinder engine?

A new straight-six of 3,670cc, designed by Marek for the DB4. In the DB4 GT it gained twin-plug ignition and produced 302 bhp, and in the DB4 GT Zagato a claimed 314 bhp. The DB5 was the first road-going Aston Martin with its 4-litre version, which with triple SU carburettors gave a claimed 282 bhp. The DBR1 racing car used its own all-aluminium six of 2.5 litres, then 3 litres from 1958.

What is the Aston Martin V8 of 1969?

A four-cam V8 designed in house that stayed in production into the 21st century. The DBS of 1967 was built for it, but the engine was not ready, so the DBS V8 arrived in 1969; by 1970 it was a 5.3-litre unit, and after 1972 it gained fuel injection. It powered the V8 Vantage of 1977, with a top speed of 170mph, and later Vantage versions of 410 bhp (‘X-pack’) and 435 bhp (‘Big Bore’). In 1992 a twin-supercharged Vantage produced a ‘conservative’ 550 bhp, and the V600 upgrade raised it to 600 bhp.

Where did Aston Martin’s V12 come from?

From the DB7. The first DB7 of 1994 used a 3.4-litre supercharged six built around a Jaguar six-cylinder block, and the DB7 Vantage of 1999 brought a V12 built by Cosworth at Wellingborough, with 420bhp in its original form. V12 engines then powered the V12 Vanquish of 2001, the DBS of 2007 and the V12 Vantage of 2009, both with 510 bhp, and the One-77’s 7.3-litre V12. The second-generation Vanquish’s 6.0-litre V12 produced 565bhp and brought the company’s first dual variable valve timing.

What is the 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12?

Aston Martin’s current V12, and its first turbocharged engine in a series-production car, introduced in the DB11 of 2016. Aston Martin developed it; in 2018 it was built by Ford at an Aston Martin engine plant in Cologne, and in the DBS Superleggera it produced 715 bhp and 900 Nm. In today’s Vanquish it produces 835PS and 1,000Nm, and in the Valen 850PS, which Aston Martin calls the most powerful front-engined V12 in its history. The limited Valour pairs it, at 715PS, with a 6-speed manual gearbox, a combination Aston Martin had never offered before.

Why do some Aston Martins use a Mercedes-AMG-based V8?

Because of a partnership agreed in 2013. Under it Daimler supplied Mercedes-AMG V8 engines and electrical architecture, and a modified Mercedes-AMG M177 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 appeared in the DB11 V8 of 2017 and the Vantage of 2018. Today’s Vantage and DB12 use a hand-built 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 of 680PS and 800Nm, the DB12 S produces 700PS, the DBX707 707PS and 900Nm, and the DBX S and DBX GT 727PS.

What engines power Aston Martin’s hypercars?

Very different ones. The Valkyrie’s 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12, developed with Cosworth, revs to 11,100 rpm and produces 1001 bhp; with its electric motor the peak is 1,055 PS. The Valhalla, a plug-in hybrid, uses a bespoke flat-plane crank 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 of 828PS with dry-sump lubrication, working with three electric motors for 1,079PS combined.

Which gearboxes has Aston Martin used?

Manual, automatic and paddle-shift ones. Most 1961 Lagonda Rapides had three-speed automatics. The V12 Vanquish of 2001 used a paddle-shift gearbox, and the DB7 GT offered a six-speed manual while the GTA had a five-speed Touchtronic automatic. The 2019 Vantage AMR had a seven-speed manual developed with Graziano, with a dog-leg first gear, and the Valour and Valiant use a 6-speed manual.

How do today’s front-engined Aston Martins put power down?

Through a transaxle layout. The engine sits front-mid and drives the rear wheels through a ZF eight-speed automatic, mounted at the rear in the Vantage and DB12, with an electronic rear differential. The 2018 Vantage was the first Aston Martin with an electronic rear differential, and the DB12 Volante the first Aston Martin GT to pair the ZF eight-speed with an electronic limited-slip differential. In the DB12 S the recalibrated gearbox cuts shift times by 43% to 120 milliseconds.

How are the DBX and the hypercars driven?

Each in its own way. The DBX models use a 9-speed ‘wet clutch’ automatic in place of a torque converter, with active all-wheel drive. The Valhalla has an 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox with a built-in electric motor and no reverse gear: it reverses electrically. The Valkyrie uses a rear-mounted 7-speed sequential gearbox, also with electric reverse.

Common Questions

• Are Aston Martin engines made by Mercedes-AMG? Some V8 engines began that way. The 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 started as a modified Mercedes-AMG M177 under the partnership with Daimler, but the 5.2-litre V12 was developed by Aston Martin and, in 2018, built by Ford in Cologne, and the Valkyrie’s V12 was developed with Cosworth.
• Does Aston Martin still offer a manual gearbox? Only on special models. The limited Valour and the Valiant pair the 5.2-litre V12 with a 6-speed manual, while the Vantage, DB12 and Vanquish use the ZF eight-speed automatic.
• What does the electronic rear differential do? It manages how torque is shared between the rear wheels. On the current Vanquish it can switch from open to locked in 135 milliseconds, helping the car turn in and keep traction out of corners.
• How should a modern Aston Martin engine be looked after? Follow the service schedule Aston Martin approves for your car and the way you use it, with the specified fluids. If a warning light appears or the engine or gearbox behaves differently, have the car diagnosed before any part is replaced.

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