RE: Driven: Aston Martin Vantage prototype

[anonymous-user]

jonnyhorsfield said:

I don't mean to knock the car but why does the article compare the new vantage only to the DB11 but not the existing Vantage? id suggest one reason might be that the existing vantage was a usable £85k car but this new one is, in reality, a £130+k car with any extras so perhaps that's why you are comparing it to the DB11? I own a beautiful N430 vantage and went to the factory to view the new one with the idea of placing an order but was disappointed that they didn't have a manual option and staggered at the 'actual' cost once specced up... I have an order for the new TVR which I hope will be the spiritual replacement for my existing vantage?

The comparison comes because of the price point, the cars it's aimed at being an alternative to, and the performance it produces. The entry level model in the line up now out performs a V12VS. Comparison with the DB11 V8 isn't quite apples and apples as they're different toys for different boys.

To address the price, if you look at the list price when the Vantage launched (over a decade ago) it was somewhat cheaper than it is today. If you look at the list price of an R8 or 911 Turbo today, and a decade ago, the same is true (£20-25k more generally today). Expecting the new Vantage to be offered at sub £100k was always unlikely to happen, things have moved on. It highlights how other manufacturers with shorter life cycles on their cars, incrementally up their list prices under everyone's nose and nobody questions it. With Aston having longer periods between new car launches, there's always going to be a more visible uplift in price each time; especially so with this car as it looks to be able to compete with its rivals rather than just looking and sounding prettier. For the first time in a long time, Aston produces a car that might not be shown a clean pair of heels by Porsche, which can only be a good thing?

The marque was at a cross roads where it could keep producing traditional, analogue, outdated cars with increasingly limited appeal, or it could get with the times, embrace new technology and open up doors into different markets and different demographics (the obvious being younger buyers, with the styling being less traditional and more current).

Perhaps it will deter and alienate some current owners, but it's likely to gain a bigger following than it will lose in the long term. Those preferring the more traditional models will keep hold of their existing cars or hunt out a late V12 manual or something; everyone's a winner. It's not clear how time will age the shape, some might warm to it, some have a distinct dislike of it that'll never be swayed. The DB11 received a frosty reception and seems to have become greater appreciated as time passes. Time will tell on how the Vantage fares on that front, dynamically though everything points to it being a razor sharp instrument unlike anything they've produced before.

[Thorburn]

Rumours I saw were of a Mercedes straight-6 being an option below the V8. If true I'd expect that to be the effective replacement for the V8 Vantage, the introductory model is somewhere closer to the old V12s, with performance between the V12 and V12 S in terms of top speed and acceleration that should best both (I'd guess largely down to the auto box and TC being better off the line).

[DonkeyApple]

Thorburn said:

Rumours I saw were of a Mercedes straight-6 being an option below the V8. If true I'd expect that to be the effective replacement for the V8 Vantage, the introductory model is somewhere closer to the old V12s, with performance between the V12 and V12 S in terms of top speed and acceleration that should best both (I'd guess largely down to the auto box and TC being better off the line).

It would make sense. There’s going to be a revival in straight sixes as they can use all the i4 parts and assembly lines and as fewer manufacturers make V8s in the world of downsizing that means V6s that piggy back off them become more expensive.

The Merc engines looks quite interesting with a clever electric motor solution that replaces the starter and alternator but can also supply additional power.

[PhantomPH]

DonkeyApple said:

jonnyhorsfield said:

yes , and it had to be more expensive than the hideous donor Merc GT presumably? it will be interesting to see how many sales they can make at this price point as its pretty competitive as your list shows and the number of punters must be less than at the 90k mark? . Im keeping my existing vantage now as people are waking up to the fact they have real character and represent great value and their prices are stable ....

I think the outgoing model will become quite a popular used car over the coming years. It’s a good NA engine, an attractive car and a nice interior. I don’t think it’ll date as much as the DB9 for some reason.

I was always quite taken with the V12 Vantage. They seemed to hold value quite well. I suspect they will continue to command a decent price for a little while. I have made it my 'mission' to own at least one car of as many engine types as I can before I pop my clogs. So as the end is nigh for the ICE, (and I'm far from minted), I think I will one day take a good long look at the V12 Vantage.