Aston Martin DB11 spied testing in the outback

A new model Aston Martin is being "torture tested" in Alice Springs, just weeks ahead of going on sale.

Pictures taken by Alice Springs resident Michael Robertson show the DB11 sitting incognito.

Mr Robertson has spotted a number of cars being tested in Alice Springs in recent years, and said the Aston Martin was "by far" the most impressive.

"I know they tested a Bentley here, but I didn't see it, it's mostly been Kias and things like that," he said.

"I actually saw it driving past me in town, the car companies generally stay at one of a few hotels in town, so I just drove around and had a look. It was just sitting there in the carpark.

"The Porsches they were testing last year were all kept under cover."

The supercar, which has a Victorian registration plate, was spotted by MOTOR magazine in Melbourne three days ago.

The company would probably also be "torture testing" a similar car in Arctic conditions ahead of its March release

Aston Martin Owner's Club NSW area representative Warren Brown said the car was "definitely one of the most anticipated new-car releases this year."

The car is rumoured to be powered by a 5.2-litre twin turbo V12, and is a whole new update from the DB9, first released in 2003.

Mr Brown said the company would probably also be "torture testing" a similar car in Arctic conditions ahead of its March release at the Geneva Motor Show.

"With the heat at this time of year, I think they'd be performing system checks on the car," he said.

An Aston Martin dealer said the testing was probably ordered by the company's UK head office, which did not comment on new models before their release.

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