AE31 Twin-Turbo V12 – Aston Martin DB11, DBS & V12 Vantage Head Gasket Keychain
The AE31 is Aston Martin's in-house-designed 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12, the first production turbocharged V12 in the marque's history. It is a 60-degree V12 with an all-aluminium block and cylinder heads, DOHC, 48-valve (four valves per cylinder) valvetrain, and twin-scroll turbochargers (one per bank). Development began under Aston's head of powertrain Dr Brian Fitzsimons in summer 2012, with first test firing in October 2012 and a production go-ahead in January 2013. Production takes place at the Aston Martin Engine Plant inside the Ford-staffed facility in Niehl, Cologne, Germany, with the first customer-spec engine built in mid-2016.
Vehicle Compatibility Matrix
The AE31 replaced the previous-generation naturally-aspirated 5.9-litre "AE28" V12 and has powered every V12 Aston Martin model since 2016.
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Aston Martin DB11 V12 (2016–2023) — launch application, 600 bhp/608 PS tune
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Aston Martin DBS Superleggera (2018–2024) — uprated to 715–725 PS
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Aston Martin V12 Vantage / V12 Speedster (2020–2022)
Why This Engine Matters
The AE31 marked a symbolic turning point for Aston Martin: after 17 years running the Ford-derived, naturally-aspirated 5.9/6.0-litre V12 (often mischaracterized as "two Ford Duratec V6s welded together"), Aston built this replacement entirely in-house and embraced turbocharging for the first time, a move that initially divided purist opinion within the enthusiast community. Enthusiast commentary on forums such as PistonHeads describes it as "an extremely well engineered and robust engine" whose true performance potential was only unlocked once it was paired with the ZF8HP95 gearbox in the DBS Superleggera, where torque jumped from 700 Nm to 900 Nm. Its continued use through the 2024 Vanquish, at outputs up to 824 hp, cements it as Aston Martin's flagship V12, even as tightening emissions rules put a horizon on the design's future around the end of the decade.
Technical Specifications
Torque, compression ratio and power figures vary meaningfully across model years and trims — the DB11's base 600 bhp tune is materially different from the DBS Superleggera's 715–725 PS calibration and the Vanquish's reported 824 hp, even though all share the AE31 block architecture. Buyers researching a specific car should confirm exact figures for their model year, as Aston Martin has not published a single consolidated spec sheet covering every AE31 variant.
Product Details
Gasket Keys produces a stainless steel keychain shaped and detailed to echo the profile of engines like the AE31, finished through a 3-stage vibratory polishing process for a smooth, tactile edge and presented on a branded plywood display stand. Each keychain is manufactured to be durable enough for everyday carry while serving as a compact tribute to the specific engine's block geometry and character.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't know my engine code?
Check your Aston Martin's handbook, build plate (usually in the engine bay or driver's door sill), or V5C registration document; for AE31-equipped cars this covers the DB11 V12, DBS Superleggera, V12 Vantage/Speedster.
Is the AE31 the same engine across all these models?
It shares the same core block architecture, 89 mm bore and 69.7 mm stroke across applications, but power, torque, turbo sizing and internals have been recalibrated model-to-model — the 2024 Vanquish version even uses a stronger block and larger turbos than the original 2016 DB11 unit.
Why does this engine matter to collectors and enthusiasts?
It represents Aston Martin's first in-house, fully turbocharged production V12 after 17 years of Ford-derived naturally-aspirated V12s, making it a genuine engineering milestone in the brand's history.