New TVR still under wraps!

[bullittmcqueen]

BJWoods said:

spagbogdog said:

Bullitt..
Thought just occurred to me...
If the rear wing wasn’t going to be retractable why bother with the cut out..?..they’d just bolt it straight on..and possibly extend it across the rear haunches a bit more..?...wouldn’t they ..??

I sincerely hope it is retractable..and want to see it flush..will make the rear view ‘complete’..imo...

Also think the darker headlight lenses as used on the Aston would suit better...??

One of the big button no on the car, is a roof up/down button. Pretty sure it will be retractable.

@spag: Yeah, seen the cut-out. There's also some reference in the evo-article about how GM would insist on it being retractable because of how much he likes "clean lines".

I'm just afraid that they indeed planned to make it retractable, thus the cut-out and the button but put this into the "will figure out how, later" bucket, due to time-pressure and now they are facing the task of actually doing it.

I see three problems with it: first, if they put it on the lid, will it be stable enough ? The lid itself is only semi-attached to the car and this thing will have to handle a bit of downforce. You don't want the whole thing being ripped off when doing 200mph.

Second, the handles(?) need to go somewhere on the inside if retracted. That would further reduce available trunk-space and i have no idea how to make it look acceptable from the inside. Btw, wasn't there talk of being able to fit two golf-bags in there !? I don't see that happening. Not that my game would require more than two clubs, but still :-)

Third, it means added technical complexity and that always means additional points of failure and additional cost.

All that, plus the fact that they are now saying that a decision has not been made, makes me believe it will not be retractable. Then again, i'm not an engineer and maybe they already figured out something clever. Not a showstopper though, but retractable would definitely be preferred.

So in short, i don't expect it to happen, surprise can only be to the upside.

[cerb4.5lee]

PuffsBack said:

Exactly this...my impression from seeing and sitting in it was the same. It feels like a TVR inside and out. That was the biggest change for me from seeing it in the flesh close up compared to photos.

When I saw it at Burghley I was totally sucked in and I want one badly. It helped make me realise how much I love TVR and I'm chuffed its being made. I've not got the funds for one sadly but I'm really excited about seeing and hearing them in the future.

[bomb]

FlipFlopGriff said:

Its not that big, maybe a reasonable size holdall but thats it. I'd say 1/2 the size of the 90's Griff boot space.
You could put stuff behind the seats if you have triangular shaped luggage, or best go for squashable bags, but your visibility will be impaired.
FFG

I'll manage somehow. If I ever get one......

[spagbogdog]

...has the tide turned...is PH general consensus now noted as this car is actually bonkers good lookin..and far better in the flesh...????

Two golf bags..??? nahhhh no chance..
Bespoke luggage option...a distinct possibility..

[RichB]

spagbogdog said:

...has the tide turned...is PH general consensus now noted as this car is actually bonkers good lookin..and far better in the flesh...?

People keep saying "in the flesh" which ignores the fact that the people who were critical of the design have also seen it "in the flesh". The fact is that it's not to everyone's taste and that's true of all new cars.

[anonymous-user]

RichB said:

spagbogdog said:

...has the tide turned...is PH general consensus now noted as this car is actually bonkers good lookin..and far better in the flesh...?

People keep saying "in the flesh" which ignores the fact that the people who were critical of the design have also seen it "in the flesh". The fact is that it's not to everyone's taste and that's true of all new cars.

It’s confirmation bias.

Thread starts, loads of people don’t like the looks so they don’t order one and leave the thread.

Then you’re just left with people that ordered one saying “so now we all agree it looks great?”

[spagbogdog]

El stovey said:

RichB said:

spagbogdog said:

...has the tide turned...is PH general consensus now noted as this car is actually bonkers good lookin..and far better in the flesh...?

People keep saying "in the flesh" which ignores the fact that the people who were critical of the design have also seen it "in the flesh". The fact is that it's not to everyone's taste and that's true of all new cars.

It’s confirmation bias.

Thread starts, loads of people don’t like the looks so they don’t order one and leave the thread.

Then you’re just left with people that ordered one saying “so now we all agree it looks great?”

..not sure that's strictly true El...

[julian64]

spagbogdog said:

El stovey said:

RichB said:

spagbogdog said:

...has the tide turned...is PH general consensus now noted as this car is actually bonkers good lookin..and far better in the flesh...?

People keep saying "in the flesh" which ignores the fact that the people who were critical of the design have also seen it "in the flesh". The fact is that it's not to everyone's taste and that's true of all new cars.

It’s confirmation bias.

Thread starts, loads of people don’t like the looks so they don’t order one and leave the thread.

Then you’re just left with people that ordered one saying “so now we all agree it looks great?”

..not sure that's strictly true El...

yes it is

[spagbogdog]

julian64 said:

spagbogdog said:

El stovey said:

RichB said:

spagbogdog said:

...has the tide turned...is PH general consensus now noted as this car is actually bonkers good lookin..and far better in the flesh...?

People keep saying "in the flesh" which ignores the fact that the people who were critical of the design have also seen it "in the flesh". The fact is that it's not to everyone's taste and that's true of all new cars.

It’s confirmation bias.

Thread starts, loads of people don’t like the looks so they don’t order one and leave the thread.

Then you’re just left with people that ordered one saying “so now we all agree it looks great?”

..not sure that's strictly true El...

yes it is

[madaboutastons]

Recent posts extremely interesting and informative thank you.

I am an LE deposit holder and also will receive a new Vantage in July.

The TVR deposit went down early and then the Vantage came out and I liked it so ordered one.

I now find myself with a deposit on two of the most divisive cars of recent times.

However if I look at photos side-by-side there is no comparison; I love the Vantage but with the TVR I cannot get over the Lightning McQueen image.

On the communications I have not heard from TVR now for months; no tickets, no information. Yet they have my £5k.

Aston have a £6k deposit and I have had personal emails from Andy Palmer, on a Sunday! A visits to the factory (a little hard for TVR admittedly), a weird video playing book gizmo and a letter thanking me for being one of the launch Vantage customers... I hear from my sales guy at Aston Martin Works every week with info on the build schedule (like TVR they build a new car on a new line for the first time).

I will keep my TVR deposit in place until I get a test drive which will maybe be late 2019, as others have said it is an almost free option.

The Vantage will come in July and I am sure I will enjoy battering it around.. And to be fair it is £150k instead of the £90k the TVR will cost.

Finally I am sure both will look even better in the flesh on the road. Bring it on!

PS - TVR please try harder on the communications!

[PGNSagaris]

spagbogdog said:

julian64 said:

spagbogdog said:

El stovey said:

RichB said:

spagbogdog said:

...has the tide turned...is PH general consensus now noted as this car is actually bonkers good lookin..and far better in the flesh...?

People keep saying "in the flesh" which ignores the fact that the people who were critical of the design have also seen it "in the flesh". The fact is that it's not to everyone's taste and that's true of all new cars.

It’s confirmation bias.

Thread starts, loads of people don’t like the looks so they don’t order one and leave the thread.

Then you’re just left with people that ordered one saying “so now we all agree it looks great?”

..not sure that's strictly true El...

yes it is

ha. he's probably right though. From my pov, since being so desperately disappointed seeing the car in the flesh (and getting my deposit back sharpish), I try not to comment much anymore. It's unhelpful.

I LOVE TVR and desperately want them to succeed ...so I salute those who can ignore the looks and still want to buy the new one and keep the TVR flame burning.

[Testarossa]

madaboutaston, I for one, would really appreciate your thoughts on the "feel" of the vantage when you get it, so please visit again and let us know - as much as I would like it to be, I don't think it will fill that raw experience I am after, but would be really pleased to be proved wrong as I think it looks great (apart from the headlights...)

The TVR's looks, although I am not in spag's camp, it does have redeeming features and the few issues I have with the looks (lights/grill/spoiler/wheels etc!) will pale into insignificance if it is the driving experience I am expecting.

I will be the first to criticise if it isn't - I want TVR to succeed, but if it can't manage it with help from cosworth, GM and a clean sheet of paper - then my money won't be paying the administrator fees!

[spagbogdog]

Testarossa said:

madaboutaston, I for one, would really appreciate your thoughts on the "feel" of the vantage when you get it, so please visit again and let us know - as much as I would like it to be, I don't think it will fill that raw experience I am after, but would be really pleased to be proved wrong as I think it looks great (apart from the headlights...)

The TVR's looks, although I am not in spag's camp, it does have redeeming features and the few issues I have with the looks (lights/grill/spoiler/wheels etc!) will pale into insignificance if it is the driving experience I am expecting.

I will be the first to criticise if it isn't - I want TVR to succeed, but if it can't manage it with help from cosworth, GM and a clean sheet of paper - then my money won't be paying the administrator fees!

Can you also tell which options u’ve specced on the Aston please... be interesting to see the comparisons as they pan out..

[anonymous-user]

madaboutastons said:

On the communications I have not heard from TVR now for months; no tickets, no information. Yet they have my £5k.

Aston have a £6k deposit and I have had personal emails from Andy Palmer, on a Sunday! A visits to the factory (a little hard for TVR admittedly), a weird video playing book gizmo and a letter thanking me for being one of the launch Vantage customers... I hear from my sales guy at Aston Martin Works every week with info on the build schedule (like TVR they build a new car on a new line for the first time).

Sharp contrast there.

I know the Aston is more expensive and further ahead in its development, but the valued communication with the customer doesn’t cost loads.

If the tvr fails, the root causes are all appearing already and completely avoidable. Poor communications with the customers and amateurish PR at the shows and unfortunately for many still, the styling of the front.

I hope it doesn’t as I’m very interested in what might come next, but I think it’s all pretty worrying. Diehard TVR fans might put up with this stuff because, unfortunately they’re used to it, but new customers will simply go elsewhere.

If TVR want to compete with prestige brands, especially abroad, they have to up their game considerably.

[madaboutastons]

spagbogdog said:

Can you also tell which options u’ve specced on the Aston please... be interesting to see the comparisons as they pan out..

Options was a tough one as I am not good at waiting... Therefore in consultation with Works I selected options which would not cause delivery delays.

So, from memory:

Car
Ultramarine Black (which is the black with the blue flecks in it, looks spectacular in the sunshine and discrete when it is dirty):
Gloss black exterior pack
Tailpipes Matt black
Exterior black pack
Y-Spoke graphite wheels
Sports Plus seats
Bitter chocolate leather
Contrast stitch light tan
Alcantara headlining light tan
Sports steering wheel
Bitter chocolate carpets
Graphite seat belts
Wings on seats
Satin silver interior jewellery (actually very nice cold metal when you touch it)
Aluminium tread plates
Comfort pack
Tech pack
Premium Audio
360 camera

£150k approx.

I looked at a black / green interior etc but I like Astons subtle and classic hence the dark brown leather with a dark blue car.

I like all the toys inside (also have an RS3 & RS6) hence all the interior options.

I expect it to be quite firm and wild to drive. I have driven a Sag before so it won’t be as mad as that but will be far more unruly than the Audi RS products (but not as crazy as my Morgan 3 wheeler).

Will keep you all posted, I expect to have it by 15 July.

[spagbogdog]

madaboutastons said:

spagbogdog said:

Can you also tell which options u’ve specced on the Aston please... be interesting to see the comparisons as they pan out..

Options was a tough one as I am not good at waiting... Therefore in consultation with Works I selected options which would not cause delivery delays.

So, from memory:

Car
Ultramarine Black (which is the black with the blue flecks in it, looks spectacular in the sunshine and discrete when it is dirty):
Gloss black exterior pack
Tailpipes Matt black
Exterior black pack
Y-Spoke graphite wheels
Sports Plus seats
Bitter chocolate leather
Contrast stitch light tan
Alcantara headlining light tan
Sports steering wheel
Bitter chocolate carpets
Graphite seat belts
Wings on seats
Satin silver interior jewellery (actually very nice cold metal when you touch it)
Aluminium tread plates
Comfort pack
Tech pack
Premium Audio
360 camera

£150k approx.

I looked at a black / green interior etc but I like Astons subtle and classic hence the dark brown leather with a dark blue car.

I like all the toys inside (also have an RS3 & RS6) hence all the interior options.

I expect it to be quite firm and wild to drive. I have driven a Sag before so it won’t be as mad as that but will be far more unruly than the Audi RS products (but not as crazy as my Morgan 3 wheeler).

Will keep you all posted, I expect to have it by 15 July.

I think a very sensible combo (dislike the dayglo~green finish options..way too ‘in yer face’..). Post some photos on here please..looking forward to seeing it !!

[madaboutastons]

spagbogdog said:

I think a very sensible combo (dislike the dayglo~green finish options..way too ‘in yer face’..). Post some photos on here please..looking forward to seeing it !!

I take no credit, my wife is the taste police “Astons must be classy”

She is also responsible for the de-badging of the RS Audi’s. Nothing cooler than an RS6 with a tow bar and no badges in dirty Daytona grey....

[900T-R]

madaboutastons said:

PS - TVR please try harder on the communications!

Indeed - they seem to have their thinking heads screwed firmly on in the development and business departments; communication and PR, not so much. LE is not a bad figurehead to have but they really need a Ben Samuelson type to do the legwork and maintain visibility and engagement.

For starters, given that this is a multimillion pounds venture - would spending a five figure sum annually on commissioning a proper brand magazine hurt that much?

[madaboutastons]

900T-R said:

Indeed - they seem to have their thinking heads screwed firmly on in the development and business departments; communication and PR, not so much. LE is not a bad figurehead to have but they really need a Ben Samuelson type to do the legwork and maintain visibility and engagement.

For starters, given that this is a multimillion pounds venture - would spending a five figure sum annually on commissioning a proper brand magazine hurt that much?

Agree. But I am sure Andy Palmer of Aston is busier than Lee with all the new models, the new factory & the motorsport. However he still replied to my email on a Sunday morning then had 4 more people follow up with responses on sub-topics then re-confirmed at the end. How bought-in am I now? Extremely.

With TVR I have the opposite; called and put a deposit over the phone over a year ago, have had a few emails and that is it. It is not like there are 100,000 LE deposit holders so to make it more personal considering we have locked up £5k for 2-3 years (and suffered big delivery delays already) should not be too difficult. TVR I fear trade off the “Cool, different from the mainstream, cottage industry, boutique” so it just doesn’t matter if we are a bit crappy on communications factor. At £90k for a car you have to do a little more.

I keep the free option on the TVR but won’t commit until I have driven it so can compare with the Vantage; it would need to be proper bat-st crazy for me to buy it as a partner for the Aston, otherwise I would honestly spend a little less on an old Sag.

[900T-R]

madaboutastons said:

Agree. But I am sure Andy Palmer of Aston is busier than Lee with all the new models, the new factory & the motorsport. However he still replied to my email on a Sunday morning then had 4 more people follow up with responses on sub-topics then re-confirmed at the end. How bought-in am I now? Extremely.

Methinks that's the problem in a nutshell. I'd be very surprised if TVR actually had four more people besides LE having interaction with customers/stakeholders in their task description. In fact, I'd say one switched-on person dedicated to PR, communications and customer relations would be a massive improvement.