The Future.....
Discussion
jshell said:
DBX X-over - just fecking NO!
Not generally a popular idea with the present sports car owners, but it is expected to be the only way for the Company to break from the cycle of financial losses.
Presumably, the present paymasters (hoping to be investors making a return), will be counting on the SUV. It is a business model being followed successfully, by almost all the prestige car makers.
Are the Bentley and Rolls Royce SUVs, based on VW and BMW vehicles respectively?
V8 Vantage GT said:
I hope they just plop an Aston Vantage body on the AMG GT chassis. No matter how good it is, it just will be a re bodied Mercedes.
You hope they do or they don't? Like it or not, this is Aston's best chance to make a go of it. Never before had they had such investment and a such a robust future plan. The DBX isn't to everyone's taste, but if you don't like it, then don't buy it. There will be plenty that do as its a massive market and AM are clearly pinning their hopes on it given the investment required to open an entire new plant based upon its popularity. I for one wish them well, as success should then find its way into the cars that we really want to drive, so a little more support from existing owners might not go amiss.
I'm still unsure as to the tie in with Mercedes and how far that goes, whether it actually includes the AMG element of the engine side and how far it will creep into chassis and other areas. Interesting times though, for sure.
Bincenzo said:
You hope they do or they don't?
Like it or not, this is Aston's best chance to make a go of it. Never before had they had such investment and a such a robust future plan. The DBX isn't to everyone's taste, but if you don't like it, then don't buy it. There will be plenty that do as its a massive market and AM are clearly pinning their hopes on it given the investment required to open an entire new plant based upon its popularity. I for one wish them well, as success should then find its way into the cars that we really want to drive, so a little more support from existing owners might not go amiss.
I'm still unsure as to the tie in with Mercedes and how far that goes, whether it actually includes the AMG element of the engine side and how far it will creep into chassis and other areas. Interesting times though, for sure.
DON'T, I hope they don't. Go ahead and use the engine, make is sound like an Aston, but use your own platform like the DB11. But don't just become a re bodied Mercedes. Like it or not, this is Aston's best chance to make a go of it. Never before had they had such investment and a such a robust future plan. The DBX isn't to everyone's taste, but if you don't like it, then don't buy it. There will be plenty that do as its a massive market and AM are clearly pinning their hopes on it given the investment required to open an entire new plant based upon its popularity. I for one wish them well, as success should then find its way into the cars that we really want to drive, so a little more support from existing owners might not go amiss.
I'm still unsure as to the tie in with Mercedes and how far that goes, whether it actually includes the AMG element of the engine side and how far it will creep into chassis and other areas. Interesting times though, for sure.
Jon39 said:
Are the Bentley and Rolls Royce SUVs, based on VW and BMW vehicles respectively?
I think the Bentley is and since the RR Ghost is based on a 7 series it would be safe to assume the 4x4 will be based on the X5. A charity clay pigeon shoot I went to the other week was sponsored by Bentley and I had a look at a few of the Bentagyas, and a ride about in one. To be honest I cannot understand why anyone would have one over a top spec Range Rover. The Bentley felt small inside, and not really special enough to justify the premium. And the cost of the options were ridiculous
That said, the picnic thing in the boot was pretty cool! But you don't have the flappy bit of the Range Rover to sit on so still isn't as good.
Back on topic, I really hope the DBX isn't made. Or if it has to be, then it is restyled completely from that hideous concept. The back of it is awful.
old phart said:
I think the DBX is a done deal. Everyone else has an SUV of some kind. If done correctly I would think it could really increase Aston sales. Having said that - I'd never purchase one.
I suspect you're right.I don't know why they don't use Lagonda badging on things like the Rapide and the DBX.
Murph7355 said:
I suspect you're right.
I don't know why they don't use Lagonda badging on things like the Rapide and the DBX.
Exactly! Using the Lagonda badge would be far more appropriate, and they would get the "benefit" of SUV sales without sullying the Aston Martin name. An Aston SUV/crossover is WRONG, in EVERY way, and Lagonda gives them a perfect and viable path to enter that market while leaving Aston Martin to building exotic sports/GT cars.I don't know why they don't use Lagonda badging on things like the Rapide and the DBX.
It may never go Lagonda as the name as a brand isnt really well known in the high end dinner party set. Most dont know it and a few will associate it with "wasnt that the people that made that funny wedge shape thing in the 70's?".
People well-to-do still want to say "Ive got a Aston now" or even "lets take the Aston daaahling!".
People well-to-do still want to say "Ive got a Aston now" or even "lets take the Aston daaahling!".
For the avoidance of doubt Lagonda has a huge heritage. Started business in 1899, won Le Mans and went bankrupt in 1935. WO Bentley joined the new company LG Motors. The name Rapide comes from the Lagonda prewar cars, when they built "the fastest production cars in the world". Bought by David Brown in 1947 for the 3 Litre engine to power the DB cars. The Lagonda factory in Staines is now a Sainsbury supermarket. The Towns cars were given the Lagonda badge by AM. I am sure the marketing team at Gaydon could do a superb job on any new Lagonda model. Of course we do have the Taraf too. I am fortunate to have two prewar Lagondas they are really wonderful cars and not fully appreciated by the masses which suits me just fine. The Lagonda Club website can provide a lot more information.
Edited by callevascm on Wednesday 1st June 19:35
The prime market for the luxury SUV is China. Not the UK. The Aston Martin brand name isn't very well known there but it's positively famous compared with Lagonda which would be a complete greenfield start-up
I won't buy one. I suspect very few on this site will (unless your reading from China or LA). But that doesn't mean they shouldn't do it
And as for diluting the brand - I'm not so sure. Porsche seem to have no problems selling 911s despite their main product now being the hideous Cayenne
I won't buy one. I suspect very few on this site will (unless your reading from China or LA). But that doesn't mean they shouldn't do it
And as for diluting the brand - I'm not so sure. Porsche seem to have no problems selling 911s despite their main product now being the hideous Cayenne
Rob, yes, Porsche sells many 911s -- and many more Cayennes, Macans and Panameras. And as far as I'm concerned, the brand is massively diluted -- it doesn't feel anywhere near as special to me as it used to. I was a big Porsche fan and I still have a 993, but when I went shopping last time for a new high-end, special sports car, I didn't buy a Porsche -- I bought an Aston Martin. They could (re-)build a very desirable marque/brand in Lagonda, and not sully the Aston Martin marque with an SUV, even if they use Aston Martin Lagonda. I don't love the idea of a Lagonda SUV either, but Lagonda's history suits an SUV much better IMO than Aston's does.
Speedraser said:
Rob, yes, Porsche sells many 911s -- and many more Cayennes, Macans and Panameras. And as far as I'm concerned, the brand is massively diluted -- it doesn't feel anywhere near as special to me as it used to. I was a big Porsche fan and I still have a 993, but when I went shopping last time for a new high-end, special sports car, I didn't buy a Porsche -- I bought an Aston Martin. They could (re-)build a very desirable marque/brand in Lagonda, and not sully the Aston Martin marque with an SUV, even if they use Aston Martin Lagonda. I don't love the idea of a Lagonda SUV either, but Lagonda's history suits an SUV much better IMO than Aston's does.
But do you hate the idea of an AM SUV sufficiently to sell up and move to another brand? I'm afraid that for every one customer that thinks like you do, there will be 10 that buy the crossover.Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff