RE: New DB11 Volante launched

[Streetrod]

iSore said:

I can't believe how awkward and ill proportioned this is:

Go on to the AM configurator and spec one out , you will be able to see the car from various angles, then come back and let's see if you have the same opinion, better still see one in the flesh. The DB11 has real grace and class, the Volante even more so

[kambites]

I think the proportions are very good. It's the overly fussy detailing that let's it down.

[Streetrod]

kambites said:

I think the proportions are very good. It's the overly fussy detailing that let's it down.

This is a phrase that gets trotted out with virtually every new car launch but in this instance I can't say that it applies. The DB11 is in my opinion a very clean design. Take for instance the front clam. Its a massive one-piece ali pressing which was a huge challenge to produce, but thankfully they found a way as you now have this piece that has no shut lines, it's beautiful

[iSore]

Aston Martins haven't had class (as it was) since Roger Moore drove one. They do shout MONEY!! if that's the same thing.

The DB11 is okayish but there's something fundamentally wrong with the styling; bits of Jag, bits of Evora (doors), bits of everything compounded by messy detailing. From the front 3/4 the waisted centre section and the massive rising bonnet, from the rear 3/4 st here it's seriously awkward It's like something Lexus might turn out.

The 8 Series is how it's done. Not 100% on the rear bumper but it's superbly proportioned, softly sculpted and cleanly detailed. They've clearly nicked the Vantage/DB9 rear side window profile but the result is a far prettier car than the DB11.

Mind you, I rate Chris Bangle as a far superior and more imaginative stylist than Ian Callum...........

[Streetrod]

iSore said:

Aston Martins haven't had class (as it was) since Roger Moore drove one. They do shout MONEY!! if that's the same thing.

The DB11 is okayish but there's something fundamentally wrong with the styling; bits of Jag, bits of Evora (doors), bits of everything compounded by messy detailing. From the front 3/4 the waisted centre section and the massive rising bonnet, from the rear 3/4 st here it's seriously awkward It's like something Lexus might turn out.

The 8 Series is how it's done. Not 100% on the rear bumper but it's superbly proportioned, softly sculpted and cleanly detailed. They've clearly nicked the Vantage/DB9 rear side window profile but the result is a far prettier car than the DB11.

Mind you, I rate Chris Bangle as a far superior and more imaginative stylist than Ian Callum...........

Let's be clear the 8 Series is currently a concept but does point the way for the production car, so as a comparison I do not think its valid at the moment.

Back to the DB11, at the end of the day, its looks are subject so everyone's views are valid. But the general consensus is that its a good looking car that like a lot of modern cars looks a hell of a lot better in the flesh than it does in pictures.

I dont get your comment about money, should it portray a more downmarket image? Personally I think it looks more expensive than it is.

[iSore]

Streetrod said:

Let's be clear the 8 Series is currently a concept but does point the way for the production car, so as a comparison I do not think its valid at the moment.

But it's a current piece of styling. It's very valid. They're making them before long, deposits have been taken.

The DB11 reminds me somehow of the Lexus SC400 (?) from a few years back. The same wonky proportions and suntanned middle aged ex-pat look to it. I;m sure it's tremendous car - I just find the styling disappointing. Could have been a real knockout.

Edited by iSore on Sunday 15th October 17:57

[swisstoni]

What does an 8 Series 'say' then?
I haven't got 2 bob to rub together?

[E65Ross]

The final 8 series will look all but identical to that, BMW concepts almost always look basically identical to the finished product.

Whilst I too think the 8 series profile is really rather nice, I'm not sold on the front end. I'll have to wait to see it in person. I haven't been sold on the DB11 either, but it's definitely growing on me.

[iSore]

swisstoni said:

What does an 8 Series 'say' then?
I haven't got 2 bob to rub together?

[iSore]

E65Ross said:

The final 8 series will look all but identical to that, BMW concepts almost always look basically identical to the finished product.

Whilst I too think the 8 series profile is really rather nice, I'm not sold on the front end.

That's the bit I like most.

To me, it's a more desirable car than the DB11 irrespective of price. AM can only use their generic 'since 1958' front grille so many times and in this instance to put their stamp on a very odd looking car.

This though is tremendous; less is more.

[DoctorX]

^ The AMV8 is one of the best looking cars ever IMO, as long as it’s in a tasteful colour and unadorned with carbon fibre tat.

[VonSenger]

Now that's an Aston. Yum yum.

[VonSenger]

"Oym considerably richer than yow and yow"

[Yipper]

That looks dated and ugly.

Ahm oot.

[kambites]

Streetrod said:

kambites said:

I think the proportions are very good. It's the overly fussy detailing that let's it down.

This is a phrase that gets trotted out with virtually every new car launch but in this instance I can't say that it applies. The DB11 is in my opinion a very clean design. Take for instance the front clam. Its a massive one-piece ali pressing which was a huge challenge to produce, but thankfully they found a way as you now have this piece that has no shut lines, it's beautiful

I suppose it's a matter of personal taste, but for me the thing is covered in little design touches which are simply unnecessary complications in an otherwise nice shape. A few examples:

1) The four creases running fore-aft on the boot deck; it would look much better as a smooth curve blended from the top of each wheel arch.
2) The odd bit sticking out between the two elements of the rear lights and the way the rear lights slope forwards; a single vertical unit without protrusions would look far cleaner.
3) The crease running along the bottom of the doors and especially the way it blends into the front wheel arch.
4) There are six(!) distinct fore-aft creases in the bonnet.
5) The weird vents behind the front wheels look like an afterthought.
6) The shape of the DRL LEDs bears no resemblance to the shape of the outer glass, which looks very odd.

Don't get me wrong, these are all minor things and none of them make it an ugly car as such. It's almost as if they sat down at the design table and thought "how can we keep the DB9s basic shape but make the car not look like a DB9?". It's certainly not an ugly car, far from it, it just looks rather... contrived.

[E65Ross]

Just quickly kambites, those vents which look like an afterthought are very much the opposite and play a role with the airflow.

[kambites]

E65Ross said:

Just quickly kambites, those vents which look like an afterthought are very much the opposite and play a role with the airflow.

Oh I'm sure they're there for a purpose (although of course that doesn't mean they couldn't have been more smoothly integrated into the design and still serve that purpose).

As I said I'm certainly not saying it's an ugly car; to my eyes it's one of the best looking cars currently available. It's just not as classically beautiful as the car it replaces because it is (to my eyes) a bit over-styled.

Edited by kambites on Monday 16th October 08:22

[PhantomPH]

When we are talking AMV8 styling being the best, I would modify it ever so slightly to the V12V. I submit the below as evidence:

[E65Ross]

PhantomPH said:

When we are talking AMV8 styling being the best, I would modify it ever so slightly to the V12V. I submit the below as evidence:

Aside from the bonnet vents, that's wonderful.

[PhantomPH]

E65Ross said:

PhantomPH said:

When we are talking AMV8 styling being the best, I would modify it ever so slightly to the V12V. I submit the below as evidence:

Aside from the bonnet vents, that's wonderful.

My oh doesn't like them either, but I must say they have never bothered me in the slightest. Especially on a darker colour like that. Personal taste, etc!