Let's do a spec list for the next generation AM Vantage

[christof]

After reading all the stories and press reception of the new Jaguar F-Type which specs (engine, weight, gearbox, etc) would we like for the next generation Vantage.

So let's start to help AM understand which car we are dreaming of :-)

Christof

[Arjxh56]

There are so many things to consider but I think ....
- Supercharged
- HUD
- Glass panel centre console
- Hard top roadster
- More aggressive styling options (interior & exterior)
- More advanced telematics
- Wifi / 4G capability
- I could keep going and going!!

Edited by Arjxh56 on Friday 28th September 23:26

[George H]

Arjxh56 said:

There are so many things to consider but I think ....
- Supercharged
- HUD
- Glass panel centre console
- Hard top roadster
- More aggressive styling options (interior & exterior)
- More advanced telematics
- Wifi / 4G capability
- I could keep going and going!!

Edited by Arjxh56 on Friday 28th September 23:26

I think I'd like it to have none of those! Especially the styling.

[Token Jock]

George H said:

Arjxh56 said:

There are so many things to consider but I think ....
- Supercharged
- HUD
- Glass panel centre console
- Hard top roadster
- More aggressive styling options (interior & exterior)
- More advanced telematics
- Wifi / 4G capability
- I could keep going and going!!

Edited by Arjxh56 on Friday 28th September 23:26

I think I'd like it to have none of those! Especially the styling.

Back early from the pub George

Really? I'm surprised, thought you would've been up for all of them, especially the styling, exposed carbon contrasting with the paintwork

[BamfordMike]

christof said:

After reading all the stories and press reception of the new Jaguar F-Type which specs (engine, weight, gearbox, etc) would we like for the next generation Vantage.

So let's start to help AM understand which car we are dreaming of :-)

Christof

At the end of this concept spec wish list, which will no doubt be top notch from the very informed crowd on here..... Add an appearance on Dragons Den for a few quid to do the job and a return of all the decent engineers who left to help Jag deliver the F-Type - you will have a recipe for success, for sure....

[RichB]

Arjxh56 said:

- Hard top roadster

Isn't that an oxymoron?

[steveatesh]

BamfordMike said:

At the end of this concept spec wish list, which will no doubt be top notch from the very informed crowd on here..... Add an appearance on Dragons Den for a few quid to do the job and a return of all the decent engineers who left to help Jag deliver the F-Type - you will have a recipe for success, for sure....

Ad therein lies the reality I suppose!

[christof]

Have been really excited about the F-Type, but after seeing the pics of the Motorshow, Jaguar should be ashamed to present the cars with this kind of build quality. All cars are showing bad body panel gaps and bad fitting of interior.

So here's hope for AM to improve :-) and then shave the weight down to under 1500KG and put the 6.3 AMG V8 engine in :-)

Aston needs a major engineering partner to survive the next 10 years.

Christof

BamfordMike said:

At the end of this concept spec wish list, which will no doubt be top notch from the very informed crowd on here..... Add an appearance on Dragons Den for a few quid to do the job and a return of all the decent engineers who left to help Jag deliver the F-Type - you will have a recipe for success, for sure....

Edited by christof on Saturday 29th September 00:03

[George H]

Token Jock said:

Back early from the pub George

Really? I'm surprised, thought you would've been up for all of them, especially the styling, exposed carbon contrasting with the paintwork

Yep, had to go back early as am knackered! Flew home from Malyasia last night, arrived this morning so haven't slept in 34 hours!

Yeah, I'd really love lots more carbon in Aston's designs I'd like to see more flowing curves than stupid carbon tat and bulges/creases everywhere, more akin to the original DB9/V8V designs.

[Jay_Davis]

Yeah, a lot of that wouldn't really be on my list.

I like the way the Vantage looks. As a matter of fact, the way it looked up through 2009 was best, the things they've done since has been a detraction.

Here's my list:
- Better transmission
- Keyless operation
- 500 HP
- Better electronics integration
- $125K (US)

That's it. That's what it will take to match up with that F-Type at $100K.

Additional things that would give it an edge:
- I actually like having the HUD, especially if the Nav system is integrated with it
- adjustable suspension (magnetic or equivalent)
- better service and support
- night vision

[jonby]

Arjxh56 said:

There are so many things to consider but I think ....
- Supercharged
- HUD
- Glass panel centre console
- Hard top roadster
- More aggressive styling options (interior & exterior)
- More advanced telematics
- Wifi / 4G capability
- I could keep going and going!!

Edited by Arjxh56 on Friday 28th September 23:26

Not fussed about most of those things, not in a 2 seater sports car anyway. The style of console in the Vanquish will come, albeit it may not look identical

But I like the idea of the small 2 seater AM and the 2+2 GT having even more separate, focussed identities and I don't particularly see HUD, wifi, etc as being part of that - if it has them, fine but this car is a sharp sports car and not oozing with that kind of tech is fine for me

I certainly don't think it needs more aggression either - the shape is beautiful

And I hate the idea, albeit that it's inevitable, of relying on turbo/supercharging in a small Aston

For me, losing a little weight and gaining a little power together with sharpening up the handling that touch more is all they need to do, hence not wanting a folding hardtop. Add a modern dual clutch flappy (with a manual alternative) and they will be fine

Incidentally, I am rather disappointed with the F type. I thought it would embarrass the Vantage, but a higher price than expected and a higher weight means I think for a brand new car, it's not as competitive as I had first imagined

1,600 KG for a soft top V6 which is a snug 2 seater, like Vantage, is not great.The V8S F type will of course be heavier and is £80k. Yes it has a little more power than a V8 Vantage, but with it's standard auto box will it be any better to drive ? As I say, bearing in mind the stick Vantage gets for being an old design/tech, I'm surprised the F type isn't further ahead on paper. And £60k for a 335bhp 1,600 kg entry level model with auto box is just too expensive - it will sell, but with that spec, to drive it's likely to be closer to a mid range SLK than what I consider a true sports car

[George H]

Jay_Davis said:

Here's my list:
- Better transmission
- Keyless operation
- 500 HP
- Better electronics integration
- $125K (US)

That's it. That's what it will take to match up with that F-Type at $100K.

The better transmission has already been implemented in the form of ASM3. Giving it 500bhp will be stupid as it would just take sales from the more expensive DB9, it needs around 450 max imo. Keyless operation would be nice, but I hope they still keep the ECU, I love starting it with that.

Why exactly do you want it to compete with a mass produced car in comparison? The F type will be made in huge quantities, I think they would be better pricing it at around £100k-£110k just to create a bit more exclusivity. The V8V is a league above the F type, it shouldn't be competing with it.

One thing it definitely needs are better indicator stalks!

[jonby]

George H said:

One thing it definitely needs are better indicator stalks!

+1 - forgot to put that on my list ! Even ONE77 had those awful very plastic stalks

[DB9 Ian P]

George H said:

One thing it definitely needs are better indicator stalks!

+1 When I bought my first Vantage I used to regularly get calls asking about the car. Always used to tell them about how useless the satnav was and the other thing I always mentioned was the indicator stalks. They just feel cheap! and not worthy of an Aston.

[yeti]

New Vantage...

Lighter but not getting silly - losing weight costs money and we have to be realistic, Aston will be raiding the parts bin!

1) Adjustable dampers as per DB9.
2) Forced induction. Hopefully a charger, probably a turbo otherwise it's too expensive to squeeze power out of the Jag lump - they can't use the BR route of manifolds and cats, that's aftermarket only. With DB9 at 510bhp, Vantage can safely do 450-470bhp without encroaching.
3) Keep the 6spd manual box!! Keep ASM II/III, probably needs a gearbox cooler as we go on, and 7 speeds is a good spec.
4) Keep the fabric roof, folding tin tips are for boulevardiers.
5) 310 tech spec - auto dimming this that the other to keep the Americans happy, they apparently can't switch on their headlights when it's dark. Decent nav, decent stereo, iPod whatevers. HUDs/night vision and so on are for BMW type cars.
5) Offer a 'GT3' spec and all the options up to it on the standard cars; CCMs, lightweight seats, performance pack with 550bhp, even better suspension, chassis bracing, polycarbonate windows, carbon panels, working diffuser and undertray. And charge what you like for it, if it's good, which it will be as the racers are good, they will pay for it!!! This would sell at Ferrari money if it was good. Make the option to have. Vantage GTE racer for the road if you want it.
6) Offer TT2/3 with the car. I don't hate autos, just prefer manuals. The option of a Vantage as 'the Hollywood wife's car' has always been limited by Sportshift and manual. Offering a full auto as well just opens up a lot of buyers, especially with roadsters. Just check the classifieds for how many 911 Cabrios have TipTronic!
7) Styling with inevitably follow the 310 which has cues from the One-77. Don't add that front lip spoiler to it, but the door strakes look great. Maybe a very seperate headlight unit and a different front grille design to DB9 and 310. Most complain they can't tell the difference between Astons - make it easier for them! Egg crate rather than strakes for example?

There are changes that would work in the current chassis which is what we're looking at anyway, and why not, the industry is only just catching up with the bonded alloy chassis anyway. It's got a decade of life plus in it. Strengthening it and lightening it is the way forward

If Aston could make a deal with AMG though... Sigh, happy days.

[yeti]

George H said:

One thing it definitely needs are better indicator stalks!

Sarah Maynard's covers do a great job of smartening them up. They have aluminium buttons on the end to scoll through the screen and activate the wipers, but everything feels smooth and high quaity now, machined aluminium is the way to go

We need to be realistic about this thread as well, adding frikking lasers and vertical take-off is not going to happen just because Ferrari have it. Aston is the struggling plucky Brit it always has been making the best of what it has. Hopefully there are some decent engineers still there to make this car a success.

I remember reading something once that a dealer wrote... His garage had Aston and Jaguar concessions and a journo asked him how he expected to sell DB7s with the XK8/R sat next to it, looking the same and being a more critically acclaimed car for vastly less money. Apparently guys would go in with their wives and to buy an XKR and the would leave with the DB7 - the wife couldn't bear for there to be be a better car there that the neighbours might get. No-one ever went in to buy a DB7 and came out with a Jag...

Does this still hold? TATA's money has ensured that the current crop of Jags are up there with Aston on everything but price and let's be honest, quality of finish and detailing. Will the new Vantage justify its premium over the new F-Type? More to the point, will it justify it against the full-on XK8/R? From a cash perspective, you get the DB9 rival for 'baby-Aston' money...

Hopefully there is, and always will be more to it than money

[yeti]

Arjxh56 said:

There are so many things to consider but I think ....
- Supercharged - agree, cheper way to Jaguar power
- HUD - Why??
- Glass panel centre console - Meh. Maybe, maybe not.
- Hard top roadster - noooo. Unless it's another car in the range with an auto box etc.
- More aggressive styling options (interior & exterior) - If it can back up the styling with performance!
- More advanced telematics - no idea what those are. So no.
- Wifi / 4G capability - It's a car. Why?? Can't you just sit in Starbucks with eveyone else and do this stuff?
- I could keep going and going!! Maybe all the way to a Mercedes/BMW dealership..?

[Arjxh56]

Looks like i am the odd one out..
Although I love the Aston as it is, it's being left behind by other marques. It needs to move into more modern tech to keep its younger, up and coming customers happy? Not saying I'm young, far from it, but the world is moving on and I kind of like to keep in touch a little.
There will always be a small market for the classic Astons, which is what I see we are driving around in now, but not sure this will always be enough for AM to survive?
I understand the brand has a cult following, it's British, its kind of hand built etc..It's kind of cool but not as cool as apple apparently!! BUT if nothing advances AM will eitherI fall further into the uncool category over the years, or if very lucky might turn retro and bite back for a few years, before falling into uncool??
I could be completely wrong but its happened with other brands over the years, why would AM be immune to this?

Ready for you all to kick me

take Porsche as an example, for similar reasons, they have started to make the shift this year... Even though as a drivers car they are better than our AMs, and have a far bigger market, they have realised they need to make a few changes in the tech direction. It will be interesting to see how the market reacts?? I still won't be buying one

[yeti]

I look at Aston Martin as a bigger Morgan rather than a smaller Porsche, from a company perspective.

They are a niche product, and you buy one because you want one, not because they win in consumer tests with only the practicalities taken into considerations. The fact that the DB9 and Vantage were actually very good cars was just fortuitous... it has often been said that Aston had never made a 'good' car until the DB9

But they've always survived, and with some elan too

[M4YBO]

I'd like to see a flashing, beeping key fob.

Scenario - me standing in a bar nursing a banana daiquiri :

Ugly bloke: beep beep flash flash

Young dolly day dream: Do you own an Aston Martin?

Ugly bloke: Yes, yes I do

Young dolly day dream: Oops, my knickers have just fallen down!