RE: Aston Martin 'not lazy' - official
Discussion
Wills2 said:
ghibbett said:
It's not about being 'lazy' but about making the most out of something with as little investment as possible.
Because they have no money, sooner they get bought out the better. For referance look at the price the Indians managed to get Jaguar/Land Rover for, two far larger companies, Aston was massively overpaid for, and the cost of that is comming back to bite
But guys, this article wasn't about the styling of Aston Martins. It was about how VH isn't a platform it's a concept/marketing nonsense.
The majority of posters must be getting confused with some other thread about how Astons are styled.
So the only thing I don't get is what is the name of the unnamed 'core' of the cars that all the other bits bolt onto then? Because that's the bit that according to that log of changes they haven't actually changed except to make it out of carbon fibre. So that's the bit people are talking about when the claim the same 'platform' is just getting re-used constantly. Presumably it doesn't have a name so perhaps we should just call it 'VH' anyway?
I also thought the DB7 was a XJS in drag, just goes to show you can't believe everything you read or hear in motoring journalism!
The majority of posters must be getting confused with some other thread about how Astons are styled.
So the only thing I don't get is what is the name of the unnamed 'core' of the cars that all the other bits bolt onto then? Because that's the bit that according to that log of changes they haven't actually changed except to make it out of carbon fibre. So that's the bit people are talking about when the claim the same 'platform' is just getting re-used constantly. Presumably it doesn't have a name so perhaps we should just call it 'VH' anyway?
I also thought the DB7 was a XJS in drag, just goes to show you can't believe everything you read or hear in motoring journalism!
Think the new Vanquish looks alright. But they do need to do something new (the Cygnet doesn't count). At least the Boxster and 911 have different engine layouts. And the cayman/boxster look appreciably different despite being the same basic car. This shows it can be done.
That said I'm supportive since AM don't have Porsche's money and have done well to keep things up by and large.
That said I'm supportive since AM don't have Porsche's money and have done well to keep things up by and large.
The original Vanquish was anything but elegant and simple!! At first look it was messy and complicated around those read haunches. It had nothing like the flow of a 550 or 456. With time though, the Vanquish design has matured extremely well and those fussier rear haunches actually lend a shape and purpose to the design. Indeed, the 550 is the elegant and simple design, the Vanquish the more brutal and complex.
George H said:
Why the hell would they risk alienating all of their current customers by creating a radical new design that might not succeed?
Because they need to innovate and evolve to have a future. These current customers will become bored of the same old same old, they should take something of a risk with a new design in my view, not live in fear that they "might not succeed".g3org3y said:
Far too fussy at the front. The splitter looks like such an afterthought. Very inelegant.
I think this looks great. For me Astons for the last 10 years have to a greater or lesser extent looked good. Some excellent, some less so. Yes – it is dull to make the minor changes to essentially one design, but they are small volume and product differentiation is the key to sales growth in their situation and they have done well at that. Perhaps a lesson for other small scale manufacturers of exotica. The VH 4 car looks great and to me the front end looks well resolved with the rest of the car. The front also has some echoes of the latest Lambo and Ferrari F12 Berlinetta.Pentoman said:
That said I'm supportive since AM don't have Porsche's money and have done well to keep things up by and large.
The sad thing is they are falling further and further behind in terms of power/performance/weight and efficiency. Their sales have collapsed since 2008 and there is no money to bring a new Vantage to market to compete against the 911 and F-type.
Despite all that I love the looks of the new Vanquish stunning car.
GranCab said:
DJRC said:
How exactly is "stunningly pretty" boring?
Thats like looking at your wife who you fancy the arse off and declaring her boring over the yrs for looking similar.
Yes ... but what if she'd grown a big black moustache in the past 12 months ? Thats like looking at your wife who you fancy the arse off and declaring her boring over the yrs for looking similar.
Or a black goatee indeed!To quibble about such insignificant things as 'power, beauty and soul' is to have your priorities very confused. I could do without it but I pay it no attention, the words are tiny, the moment is dominated by an enormous V12 bursting into life. Seriously get over it. Porsche's tendency towards naff graphics, garish wheels and chavvy spoilers are all much more likely to attract the interest of footballers and are notably absent on Aston Martins.
The ecu is a much nicer object than an ordinary key and adds to the sense of occasion. An Aston has to feel special and this adds to it. Just because impoverished journos feel the need to scoff at Aston Martin doesn't actually make it a bad thing. From actual ownership experience I can honestly tell you that it's a beautiful key and having it double up as the starter button is an ingenious and elegant bit of design. Who cares what they call it?
If you're in one of the most beautiful V12 GT cars ever made there's something very wrong if you're letting 3 tiny words (that aren't used any more!) or what they call the key internally spoil it.
The ecu is a much nicer object than an ordinary key and adds to the sense of occasion. An Aston has to feel special and this adds to it. Just because impoverished journos feel the need to scoff at Aston Martin doesn't actually make it a bad thing. From actual ownership experience I can honestly tell you that it's a beautiful key and having it double up as the starter button is an ingenious and elegant bit of design. Who cares what they call it?
If you're in one of the most beautiful V12 GT cars ever made there's something very wrong if you're letting 3 tiny words (that aren't used any more!) or what they call the key internally spoil it.
Wills2 said:
ghibbett said:
It's not about being 'lazy' but about making the most out of something with as little investment as possible.
Because they have no money, sooner they get bought out the better. The one area they might be spending big money on would be type approval on certain things such as light designs etc, which are then recouped back through passing the same design on to other models.
Don't forget Bentley have done a very similar thing with the Continental GT and Flying Spur. The same model has been around since 2003 and recieved its facelift last year when the V8 model was introduced. Since introduction we've had the Continental GT, GT convertible, Flying Spur, Flying Spur Speed, Continental Speed, Speed convertible, Supersports, Supersports Convertible, the V8 coupe and the V8 convertible.
Bentley don't suffer nearly as much criticism as Aston Martin do.
MycroftWard said:
Because they need to innovate and evolve to have a future. These current customers will become bored of the same old same old, they should take something of a risk with a new design in my view, not live in fear that they "might not succeed".
People haven't with the 911. Why would people get tired of an absolutely beautiful car?I hope they stick to what they do best and don't take stupid, unnecessary risks.
aston addict said:
Pr1964, I think you need to go and collect your guide dog because clearly you need it. Modern Ferraris (post the 355) look nothing like as beautiful as they should. Even the F12 shares a similar front end to the Virage with it's well-defined, low-slung splitter. Compare photos of the two:
The ff looks like a bread van and the 458 looks like it's been squashed.
Granted Aston does not have VW corporate backing or access to the Fiat parts bin. They've done well in producing a lineup of cars that are still beautiful and elegant and conform to pedestrian legislation.
+1The ff looks like a bread van and the 458 looks like it's been squashed.
Granted Aston does not have VW corporate backing or access to the Fiat parts bin. They've done well in producing a lineup of cars that are still beautiful and elegant and conform to pedestrian legislation.
George H said:
People haven't with the 911. Why would people get tired of an absolutely beautiful car?
I hope they stick to what they do best and don't take stupid, unnecessary risks.
Very well put.I hope they stick to what they do best and don't take stupid, unnecessary risks.
Now take a look at how much steel there still is underneath a 991. You need some nerve to criticize Aston Martin's bonded, extruded aluminium chassis when you take a look at this. Shows what cobblers the journalists spout. 'Mostly aluminium' my arse.
The Crack Fox said:
D_G said:
The Crack Fox said:
I should love AM's, but dashboard gimmickry like 'Power, Beauty, Soul', and calling a key an 'Emotional Control Unit' makes me think they're aiming at Footballers instead of the likes of me. 
Same here. Lovely looking cars but lacking in so many other areas, better than a beetle though...By the way, are you sure they were ever aiming at you (per your earlier post)?
Edited by Zod on Tuesday 16th October 10:24
g3org3y said:
Far too fussy at the front. The splitter looks like such an afterthought. Very inelegant.
I love the variety of opinions these sort of cars bring - I look at that photo and love it and I know I'll still love the look in 5 years time. I look at something like the MP4-12C and wonder if I'll still want one in a few years.RodSmith said:
Not lazy... just BORING
Just consistent. Look at the evolution from DB2/4, DB MK3, DB4, DB5 to DB6 they are all very similar looking evolutions of similar platforms and engines - and styles. If they ventured too far from their heritage or what they stand for a different pocket of PH would be outraged. To be honest AM are doing the same thng they have been doing for almost a century, designing understated elegant cars that keep with modern times whilst staying true to the pedigree.If you want outlandish Aston look at the Bulldog and decide whether you want to encourage that sort of thinking again!
http://www.astonmartins.com/v8/bulldog.htm
Vantagefan said:
To be honest AM are doing the same thng they have been doing for almost a century, designing understated elegant cars that keep with modern times whilst staying true to the pedigree.
Many of their cars are understated and elegant, the DB9 was but this new Vanquish certainly isn't, IMHO.Vantagefan said:
If you want outlandish Aston look at the Bulldog and decide whether you want to encourage that sort of thinking again!
http://www.astonmartins.com/v8/bulldog.htm
Maybe somewhat perversely, I like that, and the Lagonda! It's clean and crisp, unfussy looking.http://www.astonmartins.com/v8/bulldog.htm
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