Aston Martin DB11 Road 3

The Aston Martin DB9 has been around for close to 12 years - digest that for a minute, will you? Bar the most recent Virage-inspired facelift, the DB9 has stuck around for the better half of a decade with nary a hint of a change in its svelte bodywork.

So while the DB9 will, arguably, remain evergreen in the eyes of most, there's no escaping the fact that its competitors are now several steps ahead when it comes to the quantifiable stuff - performance, fuel economy and what have you. Aston is well aware of this conundrum, which is why we are now staring at the first shots of the DB9's successor - rumoured to adopt the DB11 moniker.

In true Aston fashion, the DB11 is set to be one heck of a looker judging from the presence of the trademark front grille and bulging rear wheel arches found on the prototype - seen here pounding the circuit and undergoing road tests. A much lower, ground-hugging stance courtesy of a revised silhouette should give it that added boost of visual drama.

Aston Martin DB11 Road 8

While the finished article is still far from completion, expect the Aston Martin DB11 to draw on cues from the Vanquish as well as the Aston Martin DB10 - a model specifically developed for the upcoming Bond film, Spectre. Under the skin, the DB11 should ride on an entirely new platform.

As for engine choices, the DB11 should come powered by the marque's fabled naturally-aspirated 6.0 litre V12 engine, likely tuned to deliver a power output figure that surpasses the current car's 517 PS rating. Aside from that, the new car is also expected to feature a variation of Mercedes-AMG's turbocharged 4.0 litre V8 as part of a partnership that will also see Aston receive electrical components and tech platforms.

2013 Aston Martin DB9