Geneva 2012

[jonby]

Vantagefan said:

Of all the people to spill the beans I'm sure Dr Bez would have done. I'm going to stick my neck out and say the DB5 will be the only Aston in Skyfall.

Balance of probability says you're right, but I certainly wouldn't rule it out

But let's be realistic, it's Dr Bez that said there would be a V12 roadster, however if I were a gambling man, I would put money on it not happening, despite the fact my heart (and head) is desperate for there to be one

Incidentally, yet another story today (that's the third different person to tell me first hand, not friend of a friend of a friend) of someone seeing a glimpse of a car at Gaydon with ONE 77 esqe rear & virage esque front lights

Can so many people have seen this 'by mistake' on factory tours ?!? Could this be deliberate by the factory, either to start the excitement in advance of release or if they were being really sneaky, to throw people off ?

[LukeyLikey]

No, it's no mistake. There is DEFINITELY a DBS replacement in the offing - probably called Vanquish with the DBS name not continuing beyond its end of run (presumably to be used again at some future point).

[jonby]

LukeyLikey said:

No, it's no mistake. There is DEFINITELY a DBS replacement in the offing - probably called Vanquish with the DBS name not continuing beyond its end of run (presumably to be used again at some future point).

To be clear, I didn;t mean a mistake over the fact there is a new 'DBS &/or Vanquish' - as far as I'm concerned that's a given. I just meant is what people are seeing the actual car that will be this new dbs/vanquish - I can;t believe it;s a mistake that so many people have seen it so are they seeing the real thing or a decoy for the real car - I suspect it is the real thing and the factory are deliberately letting people see glimpses of it - they love all the conjecture that emerges here & elsewhere

[Neil1300R]

Vantagefan said:

Of all the people to spill the beans I'm sure Dr Bez would have done. I'm going to stick my neck out and say the DB5 will be the only Aston in Skyfall.

OK, here's an alternative view. Dr Bez went and told Rob and Molly about new Aston models without checking with his own marketing and PR people. So all of us had expectations of what would be announced at Geneva, and we've all been disappointed!
Marketing / PR have it planned for the release of the new DBS (may be called Vanquish) to co-incide with the release of the new Bond movie - Skyfall. Skyfall is planned for release late October / November. For those not saddo Bond geeks, this year will be 50 years since the release date of Dr No. Dr No was released on 6th October 1962, so Skyfall may be released exactly 50 years to the day (info thanks to IMDb)
Would be fantastic PR for Aston to a) have the DB5 and the new Aston in Skyfall, and b) to have a new model announced at the same time. Aston get loads of fee publicity care of the film studio.

And no I've dreamt all that up without the aid of alcohol

[LukeyLikey]

jonby said:

LukeyLikey said:

No, it's no mistake. There is DEFINITELY a DBS replacement in the offing - probably called Vanquish with the DBS name not continuing beyond its end of run (presumably to be used again at some future point).

To be clear, I didn;t mean a mistake over the fact there is a new 'DBS &/or Vanquish' - as far as I'm concerned that's a given. I just meant is what people are seeing the actual car that will be this new dbs/vanquish - I can;t believe it;s a mistake that so many people have seen it so are they seeing the real thing or a decoy for the real car - I suspect it is the real thing and the factory are deliberately letting people see glimpses of it - they love all the conjecture that emerges here & elsewhere

I suspect very likely to be the real thing. I 'heard' it has styling influenced by one-77 such as the scalloped side vents etc. still based on VH platform but all new panels and interior. I doubt there is much new tech like DSG though.

[Vantagefan]

LukeyLikey said:

I suspect very likely to be the real thing. I 'heard' it has styling influenced by one-77 such as the scalloped side vents etc. still based on VH platform but all new panels and interior. I doubt there is much new tech like DSG though.

Admittedly good cars to interbreed but why not design something that has no lineage to existing models?

Also, I'd hope that marketing and PR have enough of a say to coincide the launch with Skyfall. Fingers crossed!

[woolders]

I have just got back from a wonderful tour of the factory organised by Ian Swift at Hagley and run by Chris - 5 of us, including OHs.

In relation to this thread I was given the impression that the DBS space was worth looking at closely, the ability to sell the V12V in the States will mean that the production run will extend to over 1000 ( more in a bit ), Aston have only produced 2 top end models that have not made Volante status in the past, so watch the V12V again and an AM in the new Bond film was not denied or agreed.

On the V12V production run front, the argument ran along the lines of "we will make this car for two years and estimate that it wil sell the same amount as the Porker equivalent, which is 500 per annum, hence the 1,000 figure often quoted". Sorry for not knowing the Porker specified but I don't care!

The whole place was immaculate and well put on - we all know the story and have bought into it, quite rightly. The other owner on my tour was a long time Porker and says he won't go back.

For all of those going on the factory tours in April and May, on the other thread, you will have a great time. Arrive early; there are only about 12 spaces that say Aston Martin only, one of which is currently occupied by a beautiful 177. Otherwise you will have to park with "the others"!

I am sure that both Chris and Ian read this section of Pistonheads, so thank you both very much for the day ( and the Hop Shovel was great for lunch). I don't think that I will be breaching the extensive Confi. Agreements by saying that the bright covers were interesting