RE: New Aston Martin AM 310 Vanquish revealed

[sgq89]

The problem is that all new aston martins merge into one in my mind.

The DB9, DBS, Virage, Vanquish, Rapide all look like same, the V8 being slightly smaller.

whereas you can instantly tell the difference between a 458, California, FF, 599, F12, Enzo.

Aston could have done what they did with the new Aston Zagato. Clearly still an Aston Martin, but much different to their other recent offerings. That would have been much better than this. Don't forget that this car will probably still be on sale in 2017 if its coming out now. Thats from 2003 to 2017 with pretty much the same shape. Hardly the work of a car maker that should be trying to move forward.

[mikey k]

kambites said:

I think the VH platform is actually based, via a rather tortured and convoluted development process, on the Elise's tub. Or perhaps more accurately, evolved from it.

Nope the technology is licensed from Lotus but the design is AM
I have done several factory tours, owned a couple of VH platform based cars and worked on a few other VH derived cars.
I am confident the 310 does share ALOT of DB derived VH structure, it also shares a revised version of the same V12 engine.
Aston are VERY adept at squeezing every ounce out of a part by using it on as many models, varioations and special editions as possible.
For example the seats, dash & console are shared across V8V, V12V, Zagato, DB9, DBS, Virage & Rapide (as is VH )

[petergrimsdale]

Still better looking than the competition. Cut them some slack - there's no VW or other multinational giant in AMLs wings with limitless resources to invest in a ground up new car every other year.
But the clock is ticking...

[RichB]

sgq89 said:

...from 2003 to 2017 with pretty much the same shape. Hardly the work of a car maker that should be trying to move forward.

And how long have Porsche been turning out the same basic shape, 40 years? Or, in your opinion, must they try harder too?

[kambites]

mikey k said:

Nope the technology is licensed from Lotus but the design is AM

Fair enough, I thought Lotus Engineering were commissioned to design the original platform for the Vanquish.

[mikey k]

sgq89 said:

Aston could have done what they did with the new Aston Zagato. Clearly still an Aston Martin, but much different to their other recent offerings. That would have been much better than this.

The irony is that the Zag is 98% V12 Vantage, all it has is a body kit (on the same VH platform as the V12V )

[405dogvan]

I quite like that - even the color - but I suspect it's going to be quite color-sensitive with all those plasticky bits...

and it's not got the presence of the DBS...

[sgq89]

RichB said:

sgq89 said:

...from 2003 to 2017 with pretty much the same shape. Hardly the work of a car maker that should be trying to move forward.

And how long have Porsche been turning out the same basic shape, 40 years? Or, in your opinion, must they try harder too?

Well as I said earlier, Aston are not Porsche. Porsches cost half as much as Aston, meaning its abit less special. If you spent £190k on a car, would you want it to look like all the previous models?

Porsche have done it for 50 years, Aston cant just start now. The DB5 and DB7 dont look alike do they...

[sgq89]

mikey k said:

sgq89 said:

Aston could have done what they did with the new Aston Zagato. Clearly still an Aston Martin, but much different to their other recent offerings. That would have been much better than this.

The irony is that the Zag is 98% V12 Vantage, all it has is a body kit (on the same VH platform as the V12V )

Well yes...all we are discussing is the appearance...so a body kit does make a big difference...the Zagato looks nothing like a Vantage..from the front, or rear, or in terms or proportion.

[TheDeadPrussian]

Sorry, but to my eyes it looks like a Hyundai Coupe...

[George H]

sgq89 said:

Porsche have done it for 50 years, Aston cant just start now. The DB5 and DB7 dont look alike do they...

No, but you can argue the DB2-4, DB Mk3, DB4, DB5, DB6 all looked similar in the same as the DB9, DBS, Virage and new Vanquish do. So they have done it before.

You could also say the 1967 DBS right through to the 1989 V8 Vantage looked incredibaly similar.

Eta: You never responded to my previous post too:

George H said:

sgq89 said:

Ah, in George H, it appears we have a Prat on our hands.

Care to elaborate?

Edited by George H on Wednesday 20th June 15:45

[kbf1981]

Beautiful car. Not sure the engine is competitive at this level. Mind you, same power as the SLS but SLS are being discounted strongly.

[jonby]

The top speed some are criticising is I believe limited in all AML TT (auto) transmission cars

[RichB]

sgq89 said:

...Porsche have done it for 50 years, Aston cant just start now. The DB5 and DB7 dont look alike do they...

As George said, Aston have been developing the house style since 1950 so I make that 62 years.

[AlexKing]

Too /


/ Many ///////




/Fecking / / Stupid

Po/ntless

/Creases



ETA: This post's not nearly as "clever" as I intended it to be. Damn you deleting my spaces, oh forum...

[RichB]

I'm not having an argument, are you Anyway, I originally pointed out that people bang on about all Astons looking the same yet Porsche have been doing it since the 356 (not the 911) and people don't seem to care. No argument just a statement of fact.

Anyway as you asked, here's a picture showing the house style from DB2 right through to DB7 enjoy!

[George H]

sgq89 said:

Hahaha how have you possibly proved me wrong in any way? You ignored the fact that Porsche's cost half as much as Aston Martin's, so no, its not acceptable to keep throwing out the same design. If you want that design, buy a DB9, or a Virage, or a DBS. I said Aston should design something fresh, and quite alot of comments on here back that up. Go and polish your Aston Martin, in your Aston Martin baseball cap and Aston Martin coat.

No, base 911s cost half as much. It's been proven by the advert on the other page they can cost more.

I will enjoy polishing my car thanks, enjoy cleaning your Maserati with your 'I couldn't afford a Ferrari' jacket and cap on

[richard300]

RichB said:

As George said, Aston have been developing the house style since 1950 so I make that 62 years.

+2 In terms of styling (I’m not talking technology) out of all the following car (I'm not including Zegato's)

DB2
DB3
DB4
DB5
DB6
AMV8/Vantage
AM Lagonda saloon
AMV8-DBS
Virage
Vantage
DB7 i6
Vanquish
DB7 V12
DB9
V8 Vantage
DBS
Rapide
Virage
177
AM310 Vanquis
Virage

Only the DB4/AMV8/DB7-i6/Lagonda/Vanquish/DB9 were revolutionary, all the others we just evolutionary of the model before.

I know the same can be said about the Porsche 911, but at least Porsche made the 914/924-944-968/928/Boxter/Cayenne/Panemera all look different to the 911.

Having said all that, there isn’t a single Aston i wouldn’t like to own, not even a 90's Virage.


I will say though, that a Maserati is in no way a poor mans Ferrari, i love Ferrari's but i would feel much less of a tt saying "Maserati" if someone asked me what car i owned, than i would saying "Ferrari" and i pray the Maserati brand does not get associated with wide boy city trader/footballer/hip hop video cameo apperance brush that most other 'exotic' car makers have been painted with.

Edited by richard300 on Wednesday 20th June 16:44

[anonymous-user]

405dogvan said:

I quite like that - even the color - but I suspect it's going to be quite color-sensitive with all those plasticky bits...

and it's not got the presence of the DBS...

I think you need to wait to see one on the road. You can never really tell from photos. I reckon it will look awesome in the flesh.

[RichB]

richard300 said:

Only the DB4/AMV8/DB7-i6/Lagonda/Vanquish/DB9 were revolutionary, all the others we just evolutionary of the model before.

I would contend that the DB2 was revolutionary, with its new chassis, saloon body shell and WO Bentley straight 6 engine. Not much like the DB 2 Litre (commonly known as the DB1) or the pre-war cars that preceded it.

Anyway we digress.

Edited by RichB on Wednesday 20th June 16:44