Aston DB11 v Ferrari 575 Maranello

I really like that they are willing to address upforce from wheel housing air pressure, and want to make it look good.



For the rear I see no vent but the housing seems to be large and oddly shaped. I wonder why they don't vent the rear wheel arc into the blade system. Or maybe they do and don't show it on the cutaway.

 

Wow....there is a still a comparison between the two cars that are separated by 13 years!
Congrats Ferrari enough said!

 

Thanks, Darius. Very interesting!

 

Darius- Very profound comparison. If you had a large enough garage, sounds like a DB-11 would be a great daily driver about three years from now after some rich guy took the big depreciation hit. Providing, of course, they turn out to be reliable. The engine sounds like a really nice one, even if it does not have quite the drama of a Maranello V12. 488 style turbos would likely eliminate most of the turbo lag and boost hp a bit on the Aston V12.

 

I am keeping both. Don't think that the 550 has a Graziano box though???

 

This proves nothing, but does suggest that it might (from Oerlikon's website):

"Oerlikon Graziano transaxles are standard fitment in the cars produced by Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Audi and the most recently announced new cars to feature our transmission systems are the Aston Martin One-77 and Vantage S, the McLaren MP4-12C and the Lamborghini Aventador."

I am sure, however, that others better informed than I will know the answer.

 

Thank you Darius for this very interesting comparison!

This reminds me when Top Gear tested a 575M with FHP vs a AM Vanquish with the same result as yours:

Part 1: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbC8Sqi3vrU[/ame]
Part 2: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irpfIdcDyiQ[/ame]

Or a bit later a 575M HGTC vs an AM Vanquish S

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3rP7Bxgx3w[/ame]

Markus

 

Wonderful, helpful and extremely interesting feedback Darius, in line with everything I've ever read from you. Thank you very much for taking the time to share your knowledge, experience and adventure with us. You're an absolute legend!

An epic battle between the Aston and the 575 which, in a way, may not be considered a battle at all: they emphasize what the other one lacks. They complement one another in a way, and that's why I'm in complete agreement with Terry: An Aston would be a terrific addition to Darius' already mesmerizing garage.

I'm also openly biased when it comes to GT and Sportscars: imho only two countries can build cars that are living entities, that make you feel special, that emotionally interact with you: Britain and Italy.

In this particular case, I'm inclined to think and believe that the Aston is a more usable, versatile, docile and efficient. Nevertheless, I feel that the understated class, the poise, the dignity of the 456/550/575 is both surprising (in the sense that one - at least me - isn't expecting a Ferrari to have dual personality: a gentleman's cruiser and a furious sportscar when you depress the right pedal all the way down) and unmatchable. You can feel, you can sense it even if you just see any of those three Ferraris pass you by. There's definately an "X-Factor" associated to any of the three Ferraris mentioned above.

When I talk about this and praise the Ferrari GTs, people perceive this as me attacking and/or diminishing the Aston: couldn't be further away from the truth. I think there's space both in my heart and on the market for both cars to be appreciated and enjoyed without one having to win over the other, or one having to be considered the better car. They're both great cars that do great things differently, with the same goal in mind: driving pleasure. And they achieve that with ease, even if you're not an experienced racing driver (which I'm not and never will be, nor come close! At 31 years old I still have a lot to learn, and learning from people like Darius and Terry is a blessing).

Kindest regards to all and have a great weekend!

Nuno.

 

Darius

A very helpful and informative comparison. I share exactly the same 575 as you (even down to the colour) but also have a soft spot for the Astons. However I also am lucky enough to own a 2007 Vanquish S. The two cars have very different characters. The Aston has a very easy softer feel, an outstanding sound track (the Aston growls whereas the 575 sings), supreme comfort with an automated manual gearbox which has been widely derided but once you understand how it works is actually a joy to use . The 575 is a much more focused, slightly edgy drive in comparison and has the manual box which provides a different again driving experience. Nothing beats that Maranello gate. Both cars have the 'emotion' you describe which I, like you, just cannot find in the modern equivalents. I couldn't choose between either - both wonderful. I do, however, hope that the DB11 is a success as Aston needs it. Looking forward to reading the full DB11 review once it is published.

 

Fantastic review.
Still waiting to see a DB11 in the flesh to see if it retains the elegance and beauty of the DB9.
Certainly sounds like it drives well and could make a very pleasant companion to my 550.
Haroon

 

John- Oerlikon Graziano (then just Graziano) did the transaxles for the 550, 575, 612, and 599. The 550 was one of their first automotive applications. They do use some ZF parts, like synchronizers. Graziano also makes dual clutch transmissions for McLaren and other manufacturers. Oerlikon is most famous in the US for having made really first rate cannons for aircraft applications. Current transaxle customers include Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Audi, and previously mentioned McLaren, but does not include Ferrari, who now use Getrag DCTs.

Here is a catalog of Oerlikon Graziano current customers. Graziano merged into Oerlikon in 2007.
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http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/456-550-575-sponsored-bradan/516175-graziano-transaxle-maranellos.html

 

Hunwhereston?

I have read that everything on the interior that looks like metal is metal but would be curious to know that also extends to the steering wheel controls?

I love the clamshell bonnet - did you have a chance to open it and have a look underneath? I see that there is an 'Under Bonnet Pack’ that includes a gold finish to certain parts..

With 516lb ft between 1500 and 5000rpm the performance should be effortless (easily twice as much torque as the Maranellos at such low rpm) but I would be interested to know if the sensation is still very much that of a front-engined beast with induction sounds coming through the bulkhead (balanced by the bass notes emanating from the exhaust)? Is it worth dropping those double-glazed side windows to hear a little more noise?

My local dealer has just received a ‘launch edition’ and the price has been rounded down to CHF 270'007.- (do you see what they did there?).

Not sure if it is one of the six ready-made launch editions that are offered on the configurator but some of the names:Shanghai Fashionista and Mysterious Sport leave me cold.

CHF270k is $275k / £218k. Circa 4x the price of a decent 456M GTA today?

 

Beautiful cars both!

Can you go wrong?

 

Hi Darius,

Thanks for the interesting thread. I have a 575 and an Aston DBS in Indonesia. Although its not a DB11, I think that what you said about the 575 vs. DB11 rang true with my own impression. My DBS sounds wonderful during start up but quiet down while cruising. While my Tubi exhaust 575 sounds more hairy chested though out the rev range while not too offensive.

I'd just like to add living with both, I tend to take the 575 out to drive alone in the mornings, while the DBS are out for dinners with the wife.

Hendra

 

Hendra

Pull fuse 22 in the left side trunk panel. This permanently enables the 3000RPM exhaust cutout (which is also enabled at start up). Alternatively, one can pull the vacuum lines on the silencers beneath the rear of the car and plug them off. Either way, sweet notes from the Aston 12 across the RPM range! You won't regret the mod...and it is easily reversible....

 

Darius, Thanks for the comparison of the DB11 and 575, most interesting. This reminds me of comparing the 550 with the DBS - the conclusions are somewhat similar.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/456-550-575-sponsored-bradan/495333-brace-fine-v12-gt.html

I still have both of these cars. After living with them for a little while now, my opinion hasn't changed that much.

Regarding the sound, yes, absolutely remove fuse 22 in the DBS it makes a big difference. The Maranello can sound fantastic but getting the exhaust set up correctly is the key, I found a Tubi 1 quite boomy - then again a friend following in his Viper loved it when we dealt with some slower traffic and wanted his car to sound exactly the same (hmmm).

It's possible the value of the DBS Manual is holding it's own now vs the 550 which may have softened. Who knows where these will go in the future, likely a 575 manual will be strong and a 550 (all manual) won't be far behind on a percentage basis over time. The DBS really is a fantastic car but I don't think it will be in the Ferrari value territory long term.

Arriving for their Winter abode...
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how did you open the door to get out of the car?

 

How would you compare the Aston to the 456M GTA?