Ski slope - thoughts on updating with new style
Discussion
After having a nosey around HWM today, they had a V12S with the "new" style ski slope design. I've seen it in a few other cars, I think the Vanquish has the same design. Is this purely cosmetic or are there a host of new features and tech that sit behind it? When I owned my 11 plate V12V one of the things that let it down was the cluttered design of the ski slope from 2005, and frankly I'm amazed that it's taken 10 years to update the design. The dials looked cheap and generally let an otherwise plush interior down.
I'm sure some are of the opinion that it defeats the object to update it to the current design, but I'm curious if it's possible. Any thoughts?
As an aside, I thought V12Vs's were supposed to be rare but HWM had about 8 on the forecourt!
I'm sure some are of the opinion that it defeats the object to update it to the current design, but I'm curious if it's possible. Any thoughts?
As an aside, I thought V12Vs's were supposed to be rare but HWM had about 8 on the forecourt!
Not ten years.
The original Vantage centre console was changed for the 4.7, model year 2009.
That design, which would be on your V12V, came from the DBS.
The latest design for model year 2016, as you say, is from the Vanquish. I suppose there is now a standard design for the whole range, thus simplifying production.
As has previously been mentioned, the Vanquish version does look good in all Piano Black, but can be a muddled design with some other finishes.
I know nothing about upgrading, but would guess it might be almost impossible.
Edited by Jon39 on Monday 7th September 07:47
dmm1983 said:
My apologies, I assumed (as it looked so dated) that is was the original design. The new style does bring the car up to date in my opinion. It's unlcuttered and clean and a nice look.
The revised version of 2009 was not an improvement IMO. It was different, but no better and in many respects worse (IMO) - e.g. the graphics on the dials. The increased plasticky look. Etc.I'm equally not convinced the Vanquish style is a huge step forwards. I remember sitting in a One-77 and thinking it was trying too hard and didn't hit the right buttons (sic). I think that look and feel was where they went with the Vanquish.
They needed to take the game on a step or two and are faffing around the edges...to be expected bearing in mind the financial situation...
Maybe the brand new cars will be better - I suspect something like a Tesla but with better aesthetics? Maybe with some JLR/VAG style binnacle trickery too.
CSK1 said:
I don't like the new Vanquish centre console and just bought one of the last V12VSR with the previous console which I think looks much nicer.
The new one doesn't quite blend in with the rest of the cabin like in the Vanquish. Just my personal opinion.
Agreed, I much preferred the previous version as well. The new one isn't clean IMO, it's just bland. The new one doesn't quite blend in with the rest of the cabin like in the Vanquish. Just my personal opinion.
Having said the above, I was in a new XJ a couple of weeks back which had an interior in cream on the lower and dark brown on the upper and it looked fantastic. I love the interior on my V12V but when you get into something more modern you realise how much catching up Aston have to do to even be on a par with the competition.
I like the new console. I played with a 2016 MY Vanquish at the weekend and the big change from the launch version that I played with is that you can now disable the haptic feedback. This is a huge bonus because one of the things that really put me off was the constant buzzing under your fingertips. Now this is gone - happy man. I wonder if works would do a manual conversion for a new Vanq? Kerching!!
In this day and age what's the consensus on the romance of having an analogue clock in a car? Personally I'd happily lose it, especially when it requires a garage to sync with the Nav time if it's ever out, as I found out. The dials I could live with, but the clock and small buttons age the look enormously for me which is why I was struck by the new design.
If in theory the old fascia could be swapped for the new one, how many would undertake the task?
If in theory the old fascia could be swapped for the new one, how many would undertake the task?
Edited by dmm1983 on Monday 7th September 14:21
divetheworld said:
...
Why aren't the HVAC dials following the form of the buttons above? You could have a knurled but thin ali' ring around the gloss section and away you go. The segment numbers bother me a little less, though not much! I think this is a neat way of including the temp display....if done well.And agree with woodsypedia on fonts.
The original cars were much more cohesive though not without foibles either (mix of ali's and plastic knobs. Dials whose form outweighs function).
You will generally find...people with the older versions of the ski slope like that and dislike the up dated versions...because they don't have it....would it stop you upgrading from 05 car to 09 year because you didn't like the ski slope...I think not....
I have the new vanquish version......I like it...funny that.....
I have the new vanquish version......I like it...funny that.....
Vee12V said:
I still don't understand why AM introduced the newer design on an 'old' model like the Vantage, while it should be an incentive on the next model to trade in your current Vantage. Makes little sense marketing/sales wise.
I agree with Tony, and the above post by Vee is my point. I no longer have my V12V which I sold not long after buying it, mainly as I couldn't get comfy in the sports seats and not could my wife. I love the idea of the car and have found myself looking at lightweight seat cars for sale. Having driven a few recent 911's the Vantage interior does look dated, and yes, I realise the Porsche interior is a generation newer.Hence why I ask, given Aston is introducing the new ski slope on old models, if I could upgrade an old one to the new style with relatively little hassle, it would make the car a lot more appealing to me and arguably give it the interface it should have had at the time. I'm curious of anyone had any ideas as to whether all the tech behind it would be new, or whether it's just the fascia?
dmm1983 said:
Hence why I ask, given Aston is introducing the new ski slope on old models, if I could upgrade an old one to the new style with relatively little hassle, it would make the car a lot more appealing to me and arguably give it the interface it should have had at the time. I'm curious of anyone had any ideas as to whether all the tech behind it would be new, or whether it's just the fascia?
You've asked your question more than once, and like politicians on the Today programme, no straight answers.
It is probably not that we don't want to answer, but that we do not know the answer.
Perhaps you could ask AML directly, or through a dealer.
The cars being sold now with the ski-slope that you want, will be half price in three years. Can you wait?
dmm1983 said:
Hence why I ask, given Aston is introducing the new ski slope on old models, if I could upgrade an old one to the new style with relatively little hassle, it would make the car a lot more appealing to me and arguably give it the interface it should have had at the time. I'm curious of anyone had any ideas as to whether all the tech behind it would be new, or whether it's just the fascia?
When it went from the first generation ski slope to the second generation it was a complete change of wiring loom, so basically not possible to change. Looking at the functionality on the new Vanquish style dash I would again expect a wiring loom change.No doubt AM have got a deal from their supplier(s) on the new wiring loom and dash, hence the change over on Vantage / DB9. Plus they've got to find a way of flogging a dead horse until the new models arrive
To replace a Volvo sat nav with Garmin I was quoted >£5,000.
To replace the whole dash - I doubt you will find anyone who would take that work on - I expect you will find dependencies to the Bosch ECU and then you are in a world of pain.
I suspect the only cost efficient way to the Vanquish dash into a style of car that was not fitted with it originally is going to be a new car...
To replace the whole dash - I doubt you will find anyone who would take that work on - I expect you will find dependencies to the Bosch ECU and then you are in a world of pain.
I suspect the only cost efficient way to the Vanquish dash into a style of car that was not fitted with it originally is going to be a new car...
dmm1983 said:
I can wait, but would like a V12V manual for choice. Plus I like tinkering projects. Would give me an excuse to buy.
In some of his interviews, Dr. Andy Palmer has spoken about wanting to make manual gearboxes available, on the replacement models.
I think the V8VS was initially Sportshift only, then later there was the manual option.
There have recently been rumours about buyers, who have orders for V12VS manuals.
Therefore you might be able to buy a V12VS with the ski-slope that you like, and with a manual gearbox.
tonyhall38 said:
You will generally find...people with the older versions of the ski slope like that and dislike the up dated versions...because they don't have it....would it stop you upgrading from 05 car to 09 year because you didn't like the ski slope...I think not....
I have the new vanquish version......I like it...funny that.....
Not in my case, as I had the choice buying a demo with the old console and a discounted new one with the Vanquish console. I bought the demo not only but also because I don't like the new console in the Vantage, looks cheaper to me.I have the new vanquish version......I like it...funny that.....
The previous one is probably less practical but blends in much nicer. The new one looks better on the Vanquish somehow as the rest of the dash has been designed as a consequence. It wouldn't put me off buying a new car though. Just personal opinion and taste, each to their own.
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