AML announces V8 Supercar - due 2022

[IanV12VR]

Anyone seen Autocar today. According to them AML will go head to head with the 488 and launch a mid-engined V8!

By 2022 there will be seven cars all with seven year life spans.

Sounds exciting!!!!

[AdamV12V]

I've not seen today's Autocar, but there is a similar news article here: http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/aston-martin-pl...

[DocW]

This is a screen shot from Autocar and is their guess at the design. It's aimed at the Ferrari 488GTB equivalent at the time (2022). Sorry Mods if this isn't permitted, I'm sure it's easily taken down.

[Jon39]

Yes Ian, an ambitious and exciting programme of developing new models.

I do worry about the enormous debt, which does have a repayment date.
Still there is a saying, 'Rolling debt gathers no loss'.
Provided the facility can be renewed that is.

The SUV has a lot riding on it.

[IanV12VR]

Jon39 said:

Yes Ian, an ambitious and exciting programme of developing new models.

I do worry about the enormous debt, which does have a repayment date.
Still there is a saying, 'Rolling debt gathers no loss'.
Provided the facility can be renewed that is.

The SUV has a lot riding on it.

Reading the article it looks like there will be two SUV's in the model line up. The DBX and a Lagonda SUV.

So the model line up would be:

DB11
Vantage
Vanquish
DBX
Lagonda - replacement for the Rapide
Lagonda SUV
V8 Supercar

Plus 2/3 specials a year

Quite a line up!

[RobDown]

You need to fit the E-Rapide in their somewhere too

Would there be any point AML making a v8 mid-engined car and the Vantage?

[telum01]

RobDown said:

Would there be any point AML making a v8 mid-engined car and the Vantage?

The Ferrari 488 is a 275k USD (208k GBP) car, the Vantage is half that. Plenty of space for a mid-engine sports car at that price range, alongside a front-engine GT even at the same price.

[IanV12VR]

RobDown said:

You need to fit the E-Rapide in their somewhere too

Would there be any point AML making a v8 mid-engined car and the Vantage?

From what Autocar said that would be one of the models within the Lagonda range.

And yes I think they would be very differently priced so there could be a Vantage and the V8 Supercar - wonder what name they have lined up for it.

[LordBretSinclair]

Valiant ?????

[IanV12VR]

LordBretSinclair said:

Valiant ?????

Like the sound of that

[quench]

LordBretSinclair said:

Valiant ?????

Name already used. Not sure you want to evoke the 'glorious heritage' of a 1960's Plymouth?!?

[RobDown]

bulldog?

[Speedraser]

Interesting, but... I'm not so sure that Aston should build an Aston "version" of a Ferrari or a McLaren. Ferrari and McLaren do that exceedingly well. IMO, no one does what Aston does as well as Aston Martin. To me, an Aston is front-engined and rear-drive. Exceptions for extreme things like the Bulldog and the coming AM-RB can be great, but I think the One-77 and Vulcan are so interesting in part because they're the only cars of their types that are front-engined. The layout is one of the important things that make an Aston an Aston, and not a Ferrari or a Macca. I'd much rather see Aston Martin make great Aston Martins and not try to out-Ferrari Ferrari or out McLaren McLaren.

[Jon39]

Speedraser said:

Interesting, but... I'm not so sure that Aston should build an Aston "version" of a Ferrari or a McLaren. Ferrari and McLaren do that exceedingly well. IMO, no one does what Aston does as well as Aston Martin. To me, an Aston is front-engined and rear-drive. Exceptions for extreme things like the Bulldog and the coming AM-RB can be great, but I think the One-77 and Vulcan are so interesting in part because they're the only cars of their types that are front-engined. The layout is one of the important things that make an Aston an Aston, and not a Ferrari or a Macca. I'd much rather see Aston Martin make great Aston Martins and not try to out-Ferrari Ferrari or out McLaren McLaren.

The mid-engined layout is usually used to achieve the perfect front/rear (50%/50%) balance.

However, most Aston Martins already achieve that perfect balance, with their mid-front engine, rear gearbox layout.

[12pack]

Jon39 said:

The mid-engined layout is usually used to achieve the perfect front/rear (50%/50%) balance.

..but even more for lower rotational inertia, i.e., quicker turn in response, with most of the weight in the centre.

But I do agree that it seems "un-Aston Martin"

[Speedraser]

Jon39 said:

The mid-engined layout is usually used to achieve the perfect front/rear (50%/50%) balance.

However, most Aston Martins already achieve that perfect balance, with their mid-front engine, rear gearbox layout.

But are there any rear-mid engine cars that actually has a 50/50 balance? Many are 40/60, I've seen some at 45/55, but I can't think of even one that is 50/50. I'm not suggesting that they don't handle, though (with low-polar moment pros and cons, of course).

[Murph7355]

Speedraser said:

But are there any rear-mid engine cars that actually has a 50/50 balance? Many are 40/60, I've seen some at 45/55, but I can't think of even one that is 50/50. I'm not suggesting that they don't handle, though (with low-polar moment pros and cons, of course).

I'm not sure 50:50 is considered ideal...I believe slightly rearward bias is better for a sports car (47/53?).

Anyway...If Aston are going head to head with Ferrari they will really need to up their game IMO.

Whether it's wise to go this route only time will tell. I'm not overly convinced. I also think badging an SUV as an Aston is daft. Car companies are constantly blurring their brands and it would have been nice for Aston to have a bit more clarity...Lagonda for Rapide, SUV and (if it had to be made!) Cygnet. Aston for Vantage, DB9, DB11, Vanquish etc.

[Brakke]

Aston is ALL OVER THE PLACE.

Instead of anouncing utter st like this, let them focus on achieving their goals in the next 2-3 years first and not worry about 2022 for christ'sake.... it just pisses me off. Its soo pretentious and screamy.... rather than that focus on your QA process, your PR, where the hell did the AM track events go??, proper information on new models so potential buyers get interested....

Instead we get this ste.... Im so sorry for this rant as its very unAston, but so is what AM are doing... V8 mid-engine....pffffff laughable.

[jonby]

Brakke said:

Aston is ALL OVER THE PLACE.

Instead of anouncing utter st like this, let them focus on achieving their goals in the next 2-3 years first and not worry about 2022 for christ'sake.... it just pisses me off. Its soo pretentious and screamy.... rather than that focus on your QA process, your PR, where the hell did the AM track events go??, proper information on new models so potential buyers get interested....

Instead we get this ste.... Im so sorry for this rant as its very unAston, but so is what AM are doing... V8 mid-engine....pffffff laughable.

Firstly, the 488 will have been replaced by 2022

Secondly, even with the added differentiation of vantage replacement to DB11/DBS/vanquish/vanquish replacement, they will still have a fair bit in common.

Aston are gaining traction as serious performance supercar builders with the publicity from vulcan, RB001, GT8/12, etc.

RB001 will, if it hits it's targets, get some incredibly PR for Aston and it's a mid engined car. To not give buyers a chance to buy a more affordable car on the back of that would be daft I would be more surprised if they didn't go down that route than if they did. I agree with some of your criticisms but I'm not sure that should stop them looking at this kind of project

Actually eventually, it makes some sense for Aston to have a mid engine replacement for vantage (the performance car) to sit alongside a front engined GT range - it's considered more exotic in the performance cars and helps Aston move away from comparisons with the likes of F type, Merct GT, etc with Aston 'affordable' sports car

[Jon39]

Murph7355 said:

I also think badging an SUV as an Aston is daft. Car companies are constantly blurring their brands and it would have been nice for Aston to have a bit more clarity...Lagonda for Rapide, SUV and (if it had to be made!) Cygnet. Aston for Vantage, DB9, DB11, Vanquish etc.

Many will agree with you.

RichB will know more about the Lagonda history, but I think Lagondas have been 4 door luxury saloons, so there does seem to be a dividing line for the two names.

The SUV is crucial to the Company's financial future, and possibly AML consider that as the Aston Martin name is so well known, that using that branding will greatly help sales.
Conversely, as the big market for the SUV is expected to be China, then perhaps neither of the names are well known there.