RE: Aston Martin to make V12 Vantage Roadster

[wotnot]

Not really a fan of convertibles but I want this one. A lot.

[mikey k]

I was offered a slot for one of these last month and had been waiting for these to be released for years.
Aston are losing the plot with carbon tat and "inverse diamond cut" wheels, put me off a bit
One of the reasons I didn't order it is with the light weight seats I cannot do 2, 4 & 6th gear changes comfortably
I know there are at least 4 PHer with orders in for these now.
There are only going to be ~20 UK cars so very very rare.
That's one of the other reasons I didn't order one.
I would put 10k miles a year on it and ruin the collectability of it

So I'm sticking with my S roadster (which looks very very similar)
Then Bamford Rose can do me a 550 BHP GT4 spec enginer over the winter

[SprintSpeciale]

Hitch78 said:

I think it is an iconic shape, but you can't use the same iconic shape for all of the cars in your range without it getting tired.

On this logic, Porsche should have packed up and gone home a long time ago.

This really is a tough crowd. Aston roll out a 500bhp+ roadster with a manual box that will sound like a slanging match between Thor and Mars, and it gets prodded with a long stick by the PH massive like some sort of dead sheep!

Yes, there are things that grate - like the overly-bling wheels, the contrasting colour of the vents and the spangly rear lights. The wheels and the vents are an easy fix, and even the lights ought to be changed without too much trouble or expense.

I fear we won't know what we've got until it's all gone. Small capacity, big turbo engines or some sort of electric powered gubbins will be the only option before long, and then we'll rue the days when V12 roadsters got a kicking for perceived design failings.

[Duffman83]

Can the bonnet vents be painted if you are willing to hand over a substantial amount of cash to the works department?

I understand the need for the vents on the bonnet, however I believe the venting on the DBS bonnet is much better resolved.

What is it with Aston and wheels these days, cant they design a classic timeless design for them. The alloys on the V8 versions have always been nice and suit the car well. Why cant they do that for the v12?

[George H]

Duffman83 said:

Can the bonnet vents be painted if you are willing to hand over a substantial amount of cash to the works department?

I understand the need for the vents on the bonnet, however I believe the venting on the DBS bonnet is much better resolved.

What is it with Aston and wheels these days, cant they design a classic timeless design for them. The alloys on the V8 versions have always been nice and suit the car well. Why cant they do that for the v12?

Yes the vents can be painted, look far better too imo when they have been done.



I think because it's a smaller bonnet the V12V might need more venting than the DBS, hence the difference? Would look better with DBS esque vents though.

I also agree about the wheels. The DBS Carbon and Ultimate editions, the AM-310 Vanquish and the V12V Zagato have all had awful wheels on the concept. Hopefully there will be an option for some tasteful wheels. Same with the lights, or if not, it's only about £700 to change to regular clears.

[George H]

mikey k said:

So I'm sticking with my S roadster (which looks very very similar)
Then Bamford Rose can do me a 550 BHP GT4 spec enginer over the winter

Have you got a plan to get to 550bhp yet Mikey? Even with the 4.7 conversion and GT4 spec they're currently at 475ish aren't they?

And I want a ride in it when complete

[t1grm]

jason61c said:

Its a little boring looking, it already looks 5-7 years old.

8 years old actually – it’s based on the DB9 which is a 2004 car

St John Smythe said:

I think the 'Astons look boring/all the same' and '30k for a Golf!' must be the two most predictable replies on PH these days

Considering every Aston since the DB9 is based on the same platform surely there is some truth in this. I read the new Vanquish is to be based on the DBS which in turn is a DB9/VH platform variant. When is Aston going to develop a new platform?

They risk going the same way as TVR at this rate - just offering periodic rebodies of the same chassis/engine combination.

[Zod]

The platform argument is nonsense. By the same token just about every other manufacturer keeps using the same platform.

As for people who ask why you'd buy this over a 458, the simple answer is some of us prefer the looks, the feel, the noise and the manual box.

[mikey k]

George H said:

mikey k said:

So I'm sticking with my S roadster (which looks very very similar)
Then Bamford Rose can do me a 550 BHP GT4 spec enginer over the winter

Have you got a plan to get to 550bhp yet Mikey? Even with the 4.7 conversion and GT4 spec they're currently at 475ish aren't they?

And I want a ride in it when complete

Won't be 4.7

[mikey k]

t1grm said:

jason61c said:

Its a little boring looking, it already looks 5-7 years old.

8 years old actually – it’s based on the DB9 which is a 2004 car

St John Smythe said:

I think the 'Astons look boring/all the same' and '30k for a Golf!' must be the two most predictable replies on PH these days

Considering every Aston since the DB9 is based on the same platform surely there is some truth in this. I read the new Vanquish is to be based on the DBS which in turn is a DB9/VH platform variant. When is Aston going to develop a new platform?

They risk going the same way as TVR at this rate - just offering periodic rebodies of the same chassis/engine combination.

It's not based on the DB9
Both are based on the VH platform
The short version goes in the Vantage (Zagota, V8, S & V12 in both roadster & coupe)
The longer goes in the Vanquish, Virage, DB9 & DBS again both coupe & volante
A "modified" version is used in the Rapide as well

The VH platform technology was funded by Ford and is licensed from Lotus so AM have a BIG problem in trying to replace it
Besides what is wrong with it?

[silverspeed]

Zod said:

The platform argument is nonsense. By the same token just about every other manufacturer keeps using the same platform.

As for people who ask why you'd buy this over a 458, the simple answer is some of us prefer the looks, the feel, the noise and the manual box.

Agreed - you have to look at where Dr Bez came from and how he is applying it to A.M. The one time Porsche went off piste 993 to 996 it all nearly went terribly wrong . If you have something so beautiful why change it ?

[mikey k]

Rear lights are an easy fix
The CF bit is just an over lay which can easily be swapped.
On most Astons its simply body coloured.
On the "specials" they like to differential with it like the N400, V12VR, Carbon Editions etc

[Krikkit]

kambites said:

Zod said:

kambites said:

I agree - the bonnet vents look absolutely terrible on the V12. Presumably necessary, though?

You should see and feel the heat coming out of them after even a short journey.

Yes, I thought that would probably be the case - a shame from an aesthetic point of view but just a question of function over form I suppose.

That's what I love about the V12V - that sense that someone, somewhere thought "Balls to design, we have to get that V12 in there no matter the cost".

This has to be one of my all-time favourite supercars, just for the bravado of shoeing a V12 in where a V8 should be.

Carbon tinsel and stupid wheels are easy - bodyshop for spraying the carbon, set of decent alloys for the car - you could probably pick up a set of the nice ones from the coupé without trouble.

Edited by Krikkit on Thursday 5th July 10:12

[Beefmeister]

Buy the car, buy a set of very nice looking, lightweight and strong HRE or ADV.1 wheels in OEM size, stick the OEM wheels in the shed for if you decide to sell it.

Simple. If you want a £155,000 car like this, the wheels really shouldn't be a sticking point. There are very high quality wheel manufacturers out there who exist for just this reason.

[t1grm]

mikey k said:

It's not based on the DB9
Both are based on the VH platform
The short version goes in the Vantage (Zagota, V8, S & V12 in both roadster & coupe)
The longer goes in the Vanquish, Virage, DB9 & DBS again both coupe & volante
A "modified" version is used in the Rapide as well

The VH platform technology was funded by Ford and is licensed from Lotus so AM have a BIG problem in trying to replace it
Besides what is wrong with it?

I was using DB9/VH synonymously since the AFAICR the DB9 was the first car to use it

Chassis technology moves on. At some point you are going to have to replace the platform. If the new Vanquish is based on it and assuming that get's a 3-5 year production run then it will be a 12 year old design by then.

The problem is the VH platform was developed under Ford and I really can't see them being able to afford to develop a new one without the help of a major manufacturer - so they will probably end up platform sharing with one of the big boys in the future.

[Zod]

The carbon bonnet vents look perfect on my car, becasue it's Meteorite Silver (or dark metallic grey in the real world).

[mikey k]

t1grm said:

mikey k said:

It's not based on the DB9
Both are based on the VH platform
The short version goes in the Vantage (Zagota, V8, S & V12 in both roadster & coupe)
The longer goes in the Vanquish, Virage, DB9 & DBS again both coupe & volante
A "modified" version is used in the Rapide as well

The VH platform technology was funded by Ford and is licensed from Lotus so AM have a BIG problem in trying to replace it
Besides what is wrong with it?

I was using DB9/VH synonymously since the AFAICR the DB9 was the first car to use it

Chassis technology moves on. At some point you are going to have to replace the platform. If the new Vanquish is based on it and assuming that get's a 3-5 year production run then it will be a 12 year old design by then.

The problem is the VH platform was developed under Ford and I really can't see them being able to afford to develop a new one without the help of a major manufacturer - so they will probably end up platform sharing with one of the big boys in the future.

Got you
I'd agree with those points
I suspect they will end up either sharing or being bought by a larger animal willing to fund the R&D.
VH is far from obsolete at the moment though.

[Dr S]

I have been a big admirer of recent Astons and consider the Vantage one of the best car designs ever. But this car leaves me very disappointed. It is nothing more than reheated cabbage. Where is the innovation? Aston need to really up their game if they want to remain a credible alternative to Porsche, Ferrari etc.

Somehow I fear that Aston needs one of the big manufacturers as owner to afford technical proper technical advancement. It needs to be an owner who understands what makes an Aston an Aston and who has the ability to develope the marque further

[Duffman83]

George H said:

Yes the vents can be painted, look far better too imo when they have been done.



I think because it's a smaller bonnet the V12V might need more venting than the DBS, hence the difference? Would look better with DBS esque vents though.

I also agree about the wheels. The DBS Carbon and Ultimate editions, the AM-310 Vanquish and the V12V Zagato have all had awful wheels on the concept. Hopefully there will be an option for some tasteful wheels. Same with the lights, or if not, it's only about £700 to change to regular clears.

Thanks George,that looks cracking. Its amazing how much of an improvement painting those vents makes to the car. Can they be ordered like that from the factory when you spec up your car?

[bogie]

I like it, the car ive been waiting for

would have body coloured vents (or black car) and change the wheels to a style I prefer

sorted....V12 engine in the Roadster body ...yummy...something worth saving up for

wonder what it will do to residuals of the V12 coupe now they are making the car they would never make (yeah right, as if they would turn down the sales)