New grille swap/conversion by factory.
New grille swap/conversion by factory.
Author
Discussion

AstonV

Original Poster:

1,656 posts

136 months

Dewi 2

1,931 posts

95 months

Friday 15th January 2021
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'Owners .... who prefer it over the gigantic, gaping Hunter grille that polarized many critics......
The new design was introduced following, "feedback from customers in some markets" saying, "they preferred a softer, more refined, or more traditional front-end .....'

You have to laugh, pretending now that they are listening to customers, having ignored everyone who pointed out the obvious, even before launch.



Edited by Dewi 2 on Friday 15th January 22:15

Simpo Two

92,807 posts

295 months

Saturday 16th January 2021
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Dewi 2 said:

'Owners .... who prefer it over the gigantic, gaping Hunter grille that polarized many critics......
The new design was introduced following, "feedback from customers in some markets" saying, "they preferred a softer, more refined, or more traditional front-end .....'

You have to laugh, pretending now that they are listening to customers, having ignored everyone who pointed out the obvious, even before launch.[/footnote]
Being philosophical, once you have a car that is beautiful, any changes you make can only make it uglier. If I may draw a probably-incorrect parallel, I hope AM isn't going to go the way of TVR.

Big Ry

1,682 posts

149 months

Saturday 16th January 2021
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I shudder to think what the cost of the conversion would be by Works.....panels, paint, labour.........

Jon39

14,928 posts

173 months

Saturday 16th January 2021
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Simpo Two said:
I hope AM isn't going to go the way of TVR.

Your mention of TVR reminds me. People have been trying to revive TVR. Have you visited the PH TVR forum? One topic there is a hoot.
The topic is about a new TVR sports car. It was unveiled several years ago at Goodwood. Big fanfare and a proud announcement about a smart new factory in Wales, where production would soon begin.
The Welsh government chipped in tax payers money, and deposits were acepted from hopeful customers.

The topic is remarkable, because it is now in its second volume, which has so far reached page 351, but there is hardly anything to talk about. The only progress after several years, is that the original car has now been road registered. The factory is reported to still be derelict, although occasional optimistic company announcements have been made confidentially to the deposit payers.
They talk about their 'Surrey HQ'. Sounds very grand, but I don't think we should picture a McLaren like building !

I wish the venture well, but how many miniscule British sports car start-up firms have succeeded ?
Raising enough money is so difficult, especially when no visible progress is being made.
In addition, we are now told that the clock is against them, for selling new IC engine cars.


https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...





8Speed

786 posts

96 months

Saturday 16th January 2021
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Styling very subjective, etc, etc, etc but I thought the Revenant front mod was the best look for the new Vantage when I saw it.

On the subject of the new TVR, being a V8V and TVR owner I would absolutely love to see the new Griffith in production but as the years pass hope is fading away rapidly. Time & circumstances don't seem to be on their side.

Simpo Two

92,807 posts

295 months

Saturday 16th January 2021
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Jon39 said:
Your mention of TVR reminds me. People have been trying to revive TVR. Have you visited the PH TVR forum? One topic there is a hoot. The topic is about a new TVR sports car.
Oh indeed, I was pretty sure from the moment I heard about it that it would never happen. The unfortunate thing is that cars have to be connected to markets, and if the market isn't there for whatever reason, or isn't big enough to be viable, it's a dead duck. TVR had a loyal niche market but moved out of it to, well, nowhere. The Griffith is a good example of a design you can't improve (IMHO!)

I see AM launching too many different and expensive models into a limited marketplace, and to me dabbling in F1 is an expensive distraction, just as TVR was starstruck by Le Mans, when they should be doing what they're good at and keeping the customers happy. I have no supporting data for those views, but we shall see!

Jon39

14,928 posts

173 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
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If you chose a black vaned grille, it is almost 'spot-the-difference' time. wink











RichB

56,291 posts

314 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
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Jon39 said:

If you chose a black vaned grille, it is almost 'spot-the-difference' time. wink

Honestly, if you took some plasticine and wiped it all around the outside of the original grill surround you'd get the new one. It's the result of 5 mins work by the designers. I can't actually say I prefer the new one any more or less than the original one.

AlexT

565 posts

266 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
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With the first iteration I believe AM attempted to model the Vulcan. And that includes the lights to an extent.

If AM wanted to really keep with that theme, placing a slightly redesigned light housing lower then extending the bonnet over the lights (removing the panel gap at the same time) a la Vulcan may work well.

In person the grilles don't stand out as much as they do in static pictures since they are so low. I do prefer the new front grille. Perhaps with the brightwork option. Then I think it will look quite elegant.

CeramicMX5ND2

9,358 posts

103 months

Tuesday 19th January 2021
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The Aston "Style" grille looks even worse here....!


AlexT

565 posts

266 months

Wednesday 20th January 2021
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This looks rather good!

craigjm

21,477 posts

230 months

Wednesday 20th January 2021
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Looks crap and they know they messed it up so are now trying to make it look less crap. That whole front end look really needs a complete tear up

Beckson

445 posts

81 months

Wednesday 20th January 2021
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The bonnet shut line is so d**n noticeable. New grill is an improvement.

If I was going to buy new, I'd want a hell of a discount, as they've alluded to facelifted models of the current range.

99% chance vantage exterior is tweaked and vantage/db11/dbs get DBX center stack.

oilit

2,808 posts

208 months

Wednesday 20th January 2021
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the new grille is definitely more classic. The Revenant one looks even more slender to my eyes.

What I am intrigued about is that I thought I read somewhere in one of the releases that the factory (works) offers different types of upgrade - I wonder if that is the plastics or the actual grille vaines that are offered in different options?

Edited by oilit on Wednesday 20th January 06:12

AlexT

565 posts

266 months

Wednesday 20th January 2021
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Anything can be done.

Although a one-off, to make the Vulcan street-legal AM quickly came up with some new headlights and integrated them beautifully!





craigjm

21,477 posts

230 months

Wednesday 20th January 2021
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AlexT said:
Anything can be done.

Although a one-off, to make the Vulcan street-legal AM quickly came up with some new headlights and integrated them beautifully!




Still looks like the car is eating another car with that grille though. I dont think it works at all.

Beckson

445 posts

81 months

Wednesday 20th January 2021
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The one-77 as pretty as it is, had this look as well. It almost looks like there is another car under the front headlights to be revealed.

RichB

56,291 posts

314 months

Wednesday 20th January 2021
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I think it's fair to say the One-77 is significantly good looking, brutal rather than pretty but all the same, as a great big fk off supercar it's spot on.