The eight-pot is likely to be the upgraded version of the M177 unit found in the new Mercedes-AMG SL 63, which raises the potential for outputs of 577bhp and 590lb ft. For reference, the current DB11 V8 produces 528bhp and 498lb ft.
That the test mule was captured wearing 305-width rear tyres – 10mm broader than those fitted to the existing model – hints at a power uplift substantial enough to require the additional rubber.
The smaller Aston Martin Vantage will receive a similar suite of upgrades, whereas the closely related DBS will go off sale once the 770 Ultimate’s 499-car run – 300 coupés and 199 convertibles – is complete.
It is all part of a move to ramp up sales of its front-engined sports cars to 4000 units per year, Stroll explained. “That is the true consumer demand,” he said when confirming the round of updates was inbound.
An early stage of Stroll’s turnaround plan for Aston Martin centred on reducing the company’s output to meet demand, rather than building for wholesale.
Hinting at how radically evolved the new cars will be, Stroll told reporters: “You’ll be very impressed with the all-new ‘front engines’ next year.“
“There’s no similarity at all to the current cars,” he said, but added that there will be “some carry-over” at the rear end.
