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Aston Martin DB11 vs McLaren 540C

What's the difference?

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Aston Martin DB11
Aston Martin DB11

2019 price

McLaren 540C
McLaren 540C

$289,500 - $289,500

2017 price

Summary

2019 Aston Martin DB11
2017 McLaren 540C
Safety Rating

Engine Type
V12, 5.2L

V8, 3.8L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
11.4L/100km (combined)

25.5L/100km (combined)
Seating
4

2
Dislikes
  • Expected safety tech MIA
  • Modest warranty
  • No Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

  • Tricky entry/egress
  • Drinks a bit when pushed (don't we all)
  • Practicality not a strong suit
2019 Aston Martin DB11 Summary

It might look like a stealth fighter, but this dramatic example of Aston Martin’s DB11 AMR didn’t fly under anyone’s radar during its time in the CarsGuide garage.

Forget the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, this piece of British royalty caused jaws to drop and camera phones to rise more effectively than any mere ginger celebrity or ex-TV trouper. 

AMR stands for Aston Martin Racing, and this performance flagship replaces the ‘standard’ DB11, delivering even more fire under the hood and fury from the exhaust. Aston also claims it’s faster, dynamically superior, and sleeker on the inside. 

In fact, the DB11 AMR’s 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 now produces enough grunt to accelerate it from 0-100km/h in just 3.7 seconds. 

More than just a flash Harry, then? Let’s find out.

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2017 McLaren 540C Summary

Believe it or not, the McLaren 540C is an entry-level model. But you won't find anything remotely resembling rubber floor mats, steel wheels, or cloth seats here. This is a 'base' car like few others.

Revealed in 2015, it's actually the cornerstone of McLaren's three-tier supercar pyramid, being the most affordable member of the Sport Series, with the properly exotic Super Series (650S, 675LT and now 720S), and pretty much insane Ultimate Series (where the P1 hypercar briefly lived) rising above it.

So, how has this British upstart managed to build a world-beating supercar brand so quickly?

Only a few years ago, McLaren meant nothing to anyone outside the octane-infused world of motorsport. But in 2017, it's right up there with aspirational sports car big guns like Ferrari and Porsche, both of which have been producing road cars for close to 70 years.

So, how has this British upstart managed to build a world-beating supercar brand so quickly?

Everything you need to know to answer that question resides inside the stunning McLaren 540C.

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Deep dive comparison

2019 Aston Martin DB11 2017 McLaren 540C

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