Tuesday 3rd March 2015

Aston Martin - Geneva 2015

DBX concept (or something like it) will enable Aston to keep building V8s and V12s - price worth paying?

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It often feels like the smaller manufacturers work harder at motor shows, and none more so at Geneva than Aston Martin, which showed no fewer than three new cars and one concept.

DBX is ... is ... necessary?

We knew about the cars already. The almighty Vulcan and Vantage GT3 were pretty much as we had previously reported, and we also got a chance to check out the confirmed-for-Europe Lagonda Taraf in a room at the back of the stand. The big surprise was the DBX, what's described as - buzzword alert - a "crossover coupe." And also one without a conventional engine, instead being propelled by an all-electric powertrain.

Before you get too excited and assemble and angry mob, or phone your Aston dealer to order one (according to preference) - it is just a concept. But Aston's boss Andy Palmer is clear that he is seriously considering putting something similar into production, with a couple of very good reasons. Firstly, because he wants to develop cars with broader appeal than the existing model line-up, especially for female buyers. But also because of the need to continue to improve fuel economy figures.

Just the job for chasing GT3 RSs on a track day

Not being part of a larger car company, Aston finds itself very vulnerable to the need to meet increasingly stringent 'fleet' CO2 and efficiency standards. Granted, this is the same logic once deployed to give us the Toyota iQ based Aston Cygnet. But more thought seems to have been put into the DBX, with Palmer's argument being that "if I build cars like this then it means I can carry on building cars powered with V8 and V12 engines." Logic that's hard to fault.

We also got a chance to spend some time looking at the Vulcan, which looks both very low and very long. The company has also confirmed that, as we hoped, it's name was inspired by the Cold War bomber.

 

 

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Click here for the PH Geneva news hub!

[alpha channel]

Never thought I'd say this but I rather like the look of the DBX... and what can you say about the Vulcan other than verryyy nice.

[MrTappets]

Also very intrigued by DBX. I've wanted to see a little more bravery from Aston Martin for a decade, so it's great if they've got investment to make it happen - and let's be honest, it's no mk1 Cayenne

[j_s14a]

The Vulcan has exceeded my expectations, instead of just another DB9 style rehash, they've given us something that proudly stands on its own. And the inspiration for the name adds some kudos too.

[Pentoman]

That Vulcan - crikey. It looks bananas, especially from the rear. Remarkable that it's something you can buy.

It's good to see a manufacturer (British or otherwise) making a challenge to the might of existing German players in the industry. That DBX seems intriguing and manages not to be a complete sell-out.

[em177]

Wish they'd taken their own direction with the vantage gt3 and not just copy the porsche recipe in terms of styling.

[Pantherfocus]

I think the DBX looks stunning, and I shocked myself in thinking that when I saw it on Autocar at lunch time. I like this idea much more than the "me too" look of the Lagonda concept from a few years ago. People often moan about Aston photocopier styling. This moves that on and dares to be different. Not that it affects me much. I'll never own one...

[daytona365]

They're close, but not quite there yet. Lets give it another 30 years !!

[Turbobanana]

I'm sure I drew the Vulcan on a piece of paper in my bedroom aged about 12, using one of those bendy curve things designers use.

I hereby claim all credit for what must be one of the most dramatic cars at Geneva: absolutely gorgeous. But then I'm biased

[rivercar1981]

Have to say the DBX reminds me of the Spyker D8 concept.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec...

The Spyker is prettier imho, but a good effort by Aston.

[ukmike2000]

I really dislike the Vulcan I'm afraid. It looks like the result of AMG building a car from old Iso Grifo and Corvette parts. I'm hoping that it's the colour that is putting me off. Hopefully NOT the direction for Aston designs in the future. Bit pricier than any track car I would be contemplating too.

The DBX is interesting but I'm not really warming to it. Decent looks but Tonka-toy wheels on coupes still look wrong to me. It is probably a car that will be seen double parked outside Harrods, but I'm not sure of it's relevance. But then I said that BMW would never sell an X6! :-)

As for the GT3 - looks like an instant entry to the Historic Sports car series.

Keep 'em coming Aston - there seems to be plenty going on at the moment.