Future Aston Martin Interiors, Dashboards, Infotainment.
Discussion
The idea for this topic arose, after I came across almost identical dashboards, in two different manufacturers' 2024 model cars.
Are we entering an era, where dashboards might become a standard component in many cars ?
We are waiting with interest to see the interior of the revised DB11.
Presumably the Mercedes technical agreement will continue, so there should be some clues for us from existing Mercedes models.
Touch screen(s) have been 'promised' by Lawrence Stroll.
Here are some photos. The first two show the almost identical (2024 models) dashboards, but I would not expect that configuration to appear in an Aston Martin, because I doubt M-B would allow AML to have a version of their tech, from a yet to be announced Mercedes.
2024 Mercedes-Benz E class.
2024 Porsche Cayenne
Possibly AML might use this generation M-B infotainment.
Maybe OK in an S class saloon, but the second photo shows the same kit in an SL GT car.
Do you think that smaller cabin is overwhelmed and dominated by that centre portrait touch screen ?
2009 Vantage.
2018 Vantage.
DBX.
What infotainment layout would you hope to see in the revised DB11 ?
Interesting question Jon, but I think we all know the answer. My personal view, and this is said without being privy to any private viewings of the car, so no NDA being broken here, is that it is most likely going to be somewhere between DBX and new Merc E Class. I think the main instrument dial on DBX is an improvement on the small central one in new Vantage, DB11, and DBSS, and it has a counter clockwise rev counter too, so a small nod to the Gaydon gen cars. But I just can’t see why AM would revert to any of the older, perhaps cleaner designs that many on here (including me I guess) still wax lyrical over. Screens and digital displays are here to stay and I would wager that the new young wealthy buyers who aspire to anything ultra luxury just wouldn’t stand for anything else.
Best Regards
Minglar
Best Regards
Minglar
Im stuck in my 2012 car, its fine. I dont want any ipad screens or touch sensitive panels across the width of the car. Its almost technology for the sake of it these days.
Yes, when the car is really driving itself in 20 years, I might be bored and need entertaining, until them I'm happy to focus on driving the car, with the occasional bit of music.
I will use nav on my phone when necessary, its more up to date.
Guess im not the 30 something tech obsessed customer they car companies are trying to attract
Yes, when the car is really driving itself in 20 years, I might be bored and need entertaining, until them I'm happy to focus on driving the car, with the occasional bit of music.
I will use nav on my phone when necessary, its more up to date.
Guess im not the 30 something tech obsessed customer they car companies are trying to attract
Piston Ted said:
The haptic centre console from Vanquish 2 is my personal favourite - clean and stylish with a foldaway screen.
I agree, but with one caveat - because they did away with the small infotainment screen then you have to have the main screen open for anything, whereas with the previous non-haptic waterfall you could keep the screen closed unless you were using Nav.I took a ride in a friend's 707 the other day. Whilst it was all very nice, I noticed the cockpit style dials on the dashboard and very much preferred my aluminuim (analogue) dials. You get these new electronic 'cockpit' dashboards in most modern cars, something I guess one day I will have to learn to put up with.
Calinours said:
Sorry to be a pedant Jon, but your 2009 Vantage interior looks like a 2011-on Vantage S 
Certainly no need to say sorry.
I retained that photo because very rarely, the lighting is so perfect. The skill of a PH AM member.
Interested to know what clues you spotted ?
I noticed decorative stitching on the door card, which I don't think was there in 2009.
It is of course Sportshift, but I cannot see what other changes there are.
The Piano Black trim was originally a popular option. Looks really smart, but later comments began about some disadvantage. Forget what, it might have been reflections, or finger marks.
Here is a 2009 Manual.
Edited by Jon39 on Thursday 6th April 16:20
As someone said above, the "distilled" haptic waterfall type console from very late VH Vantage and especially late Vanquish 2 is the perfect balance of old/new/elegant. The MB dashes, the DBX interior, the current Vantage interior etc are utter w
k - i'm a young guy and who i'm sure they are trying to appeal to - I want analogue but modern looking instruments and classically pretty and organic but bang up to date interiors. These touch screens, for screens sake, is pathetic. E.g the new M2, with that slab of screen behind the wheel with digital round dials on the screen - imitating the original analogue clocks. WTF is the point??!
My 06 Vantage has the very early basic console, and I think my next car will be a late V8V or V12VS (one can dream) with the haptic interior. I just cannot be persuaded to stretch to a new one, A because I can't afford it
and B because they don't stir me - the interiors specifically are genuinely jarring and ugly. WTF were they playing at, and what will they be playing at with all this screen crap.
It's exactly the same principle as playing fake V8 sounds through an EV sound system.
k - i'm a young guy and who i'm sure they are trying to appeal to - I want analogue but modern looking instruments and classically pretty and organic but bang up to date interiors. These touch screens, for screens sake, is pathetic. E.g the new M2, with that slab of screen behind the wheel with digital round dials on the screen - imitating the original analogue clocks. WTF is the point??!My 06 Vantage has the very early basic console, and I think my next car will be a late V8V or V12VS (one can dream) with the haptic interior. I just cannot be persuaded to stretch to a new one, A because I can't afford it
and B because they don't stir me - the interiors specifically are genuinely jarring and ugly. WTF were they playing at, and what will they be playing at with all this screen crap.It's exactly the same principle as playing fake V8 sounds through an EV sound system.
Edited by Krhuangbin on Thursday 6th April 18:41
Krhuangbin said:
... I'm a young guy and who i'm sure they are trying to appeal to - I want analogue but modern looking instruments and classically pretty and organic but bang up to date interiors. These touch screens, for screens sake, is pathetic. ...
I agree with you and it is interesting that you share the same taste, with a few of the more mature owners, but I fear we are like the anecdote about King Canute, trying to hold back the touchscreen tide, which is relentlessly coming towards us.
Touchscreens are certainly coming. I have noticed that Dacia have resisted though, probably to save money. "Our customers have smart phones, they can stick them on the dashboard, no extra charge." -
As AML have the M-B technical agreement, presumably we will be seeing some M-B hardware in the revised DB11, but which of their successive sequence of versions I wonder. Perhaps the M-B infotainment software can be connected to bespoke AML hardware, so at least what is on view is unique.
The fail point of a touchscreen for me is that you have to take your eyes of the road to use it - a road safety issue. But (1) touchscreens look like phones and people LOVE phones, and (2) knobs cost money to make and stick on. Touchscreen, menus, modes, mmmmomnomnom...
Then again I can't remember how to adjust bass/treble controls in my DB9 - menus do not belong in cars IMHO.
Then again I can't remember how to adjust bass/treble controls in my DB9 - menus do not belong in cars IMHO.
Well this was last year...
"At the global introduction of the DBX 707, Aston Martin engineers told CarBuzz that the new infotainment setup would be developed in-house and work has already begun. The new system will provide a true Aston Martin experience, right down to the infotainment and interface.
Thankfully, the luxury brand is not looking to ruin the cabin ambiance of its vehicles by shoehorning complicated screens into every crevice. Physical climate controls will remain, as high-quality buttons are critical to a tactile, luxurious experience. "I think other companies have learned that if you put everything on the screen, it's really difficult," said Long.
"You don't just turn the wipers on; instead, you've got to press three times into a screen that's ... not that big." Don't expect a large screen a la Mercedes EQS, either. "We're not focused on acres of screen," added Long."
But having had discussion with an ex Gaydon staff member involved in VH and 2nd century cars there are limitations, brutally speaking the current generation is essentially a heavily modified MB W205 C class topology. Additionally, whilst some might not expect or accept this, MB hardware is NOT plug and play on all modules in the current 2nd century cars as much as some might expect that. The HW itself might be, but the software carried can be non compatible due to the change AM made.
"At the global introduction of the DBX 707, Aston Martin engineers told CarBuzz that the new infotainment setup would be developed in-house and work has already begun. The new system will provide a true Aston Martin experience, right down to the infotainment and interface.
Thankfully, the luxury brand is not looking to ruin the cabin ambiance of its vehicles by shoehorning complicated screens into every crevice. Physical climate controls will remain, as high-quality buttons are critical to a tactile, luxurious experience. "I think other companies have learned that if you put everything on the screen, it's really difficult," said Long.
"You don't just turn the wipers on; instead, you've got to press three times into a screen that's ... not that big." Don't expect a large screen a la Mercedes EQS, either. "We're not focused on acres of screen," added Long."
But having had discussion with an ex Gaydon staff member involved in VH and 2nd century cars there are limitations, brutally speaking the current generation is essentially a heavily modified MB W205 C class topology. Additionally, whilst some might not expect or accept this, MB hardware is NOT plug and play on all modules in the current 2nd century cars as much as some might expect that. The HW itself might be, but the software carried can be non compatible due to the change AM made.
Simpo Two said:
The fail point of a touchscreen for me is that you have to take your eyes of the road to use it - a road safety issue. But (1) touchscreens look like phones and people LOVE phones, and (2) knobs cost money to make and stick on. Touchscreen, menus, modes, mmmmomnomnom...
Then again I can't remember how to adjust bass/treble controls in my DB9 - menus do not belong in cars IMHO.
Then again I can't remember how to adjust bass/treble controls in my DB9 - menus do not belong in cars IMHO.
Keep up John, we will soon be in 2024.
You don't have to take your eyes off the road, then use a touchscreen. Oh no, that was so yesterday.
The new way, is you just talk to the car.
When I told my wife about this, she said, "I will never be able to cope with all that".
I replied, "You already tell me to turn up the car heater, what is the difference?"
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