Anyone testdrove the new Vaquish ?
Discussion
I drove it a month ago and absolutely loved it! Had 90 mins with an instructor who essentially let me 'play' to my hearts content during the drive.
At the limited unveiling back in May, my initial reaction was very mixed. I loved the lines from some angles but the rear looked a little plain and that front spoiler just didn't appeal. I really liked the interior but wasn't sure about the 177 steering wheel and that quilting just didn't appeal.
Over time the looks have grown on me and following the drive, the 177 wheel I found fantastic (except letting it slip back through following a big turn). The spoiler is still bugs me but I know with the right colour it will blend in really well.
The drive itself had me grinning like a school boy through the entire drive, having had a 4.7 v8v and for the last few years a DBS, I didn't expect the car to be that different. That 90 mins proved to me otherwise. It might not be a totally new car but its a big step forward.
Try it and see for yourselves, I hear deliveries are looking to be sept next year now.
At the limited unveiling back in May, my initial reaction was very mixed. I loved the lines from some angles but the rear looked a little plain and that front spoiler just didn't appeal. I really liked the interior but wasn't sure about the 177 steering wheel and that quilting just didn't appeal.
Over time the looks have grown on me and following the drive, the 177 wheel I found fantastic (except letting it slip back through following a big turn). The spoiler is still bugs me but I know with the right colour it will blend in really well.
The drive itself had me grinning like a school boy through the entire drive, having had a 4.7 v8v and for the last few years a DBS, I didn't expect the car to be that different. That 90 mins proved to me otherwise. It might not be a totally new car but its a big step forward.
Try it and see for yourselves, I hear deliveries are looking to be sept next year now.
I had a good chunk of yesterday afternoon to get a good feel for the car. The car I drove had completed about 7k miles, and was a factory pre production model (same as production, but some of the trim was not as well finished and as neat as it should be). I had a pro driver with me, who was very good at highlighting the differences from previous Astons. He was also good at giving me more than enough encouragement to test my limits! My daily drive is a Range Rover, which can often give stark contrast to an Aston, so I decided to Drive there and back in the Virage Volante to give a better back to back impression.
Breaking it down:-
Interior
Having seen it a few times now, its growing on me. there are still elements that I think are a step back, but overall, it feels comfortable and well put together. I didn't like the colour scheme in this particular car, but I suspect with the right combination, it could look and feel special. the cabin feels a bit more spacious, but you actually have a higher scuttle, so it feels like you sit low down and are more cocooned in - no bad thing in my opinion. Steering wheel looks a little odd, but actually feels good in the flesh. Sport and suspension buttons are better mounted onto the wheel itself - much more convenient. Surprisingly, the square wheel is not standard, and is a cost option. The leather felt a step up, in terms of feel and suppleness. Small things that i didn't like - the door handles look a bit chunky and boring, while the door handle switch gear (windows/mirrors was overly fussy and a bit plastic looking. Dials are also a step back in my opinion, other than the increased resolution on the digital read out.
Infotainment
Huge leap forward. much more in line with todays offerings from other manufacturers. all displayed on the centre console (sat nav) screen. Whilst I had a play with this, I didn't go into too much detail, but in essence, its a big step forward and much better integrated.
Exterior
Simply stunning. I had reservations on the splitter, but these are long forgotten. Its a very aggressive design up close and personal, but a far more homogenous design that the bolt-on style of the DBS.
Drive
More than enough power, but not a massively noticeable jump from the 490hp Virage I'm in at present. If anything, to notice the difference, you really have to be at the upper end of the rev range. Maybe the easiest way to explain it without sounding too perverse, is that it simply goes harder, for a little longer! Drivability through the rev range is faultless, pulling all the way through with a very smooth torque curve. The sport throttle mapping is noticeably more aggressive, in effect making a much shorter accelerator pedal. interestingly, while I know this won't interest manual purists, the intuitiveness of the "D" auto option is a big step up. more responsive, and when in sport, engages a huge amount of engine breaking that you don't get with the current auto cars. Gear changes are fast and smooth when in paddle mode, but again, not a huge leap in shift times, as its still the same 6 speed ZF box - (but with better software for sure).
Ride
No big improvement, but the 15 (3 x 5) stage dampers work well. there is a seamless transition from wallow to flat when you push on. you could undoubtably soak up many hundreds of miles without any complaints. Steering feedback is precise, and you can feel the rack speed has been increased with good effect. you know exactly whats going on as you increase the lateral load into the chassis, inspiring confidence and predictability.
Overall, it was a nice place to be for a couple of hours. I still have some mixed feelings, and I didn't come away with that "blown away" feeling. there are many improvements, but mostly subtle, all adding up to good effect. i didn't walk away thinking I simply must get one. a big drawback for me is that the Volante won't be around until 2014 - so regardless of anything else, i have a bit of a wait if I took the plunge. its a good step forward, but i wouldn't recommend you all rush to trade in your current cars for one of these!
Oh, and the noise.....probably the best bit! reminds me of my old V8V "S" Roadster....crackling and popping away all day long. They have done very well to extract such a perfect note from this exhaust.
Cheers
Breaking it down:-
Interior
Having seen it a few times now, its growing on me. there are still elements that I think are a step back, but overall, it feels comfortable and well put together. I didn't like the colour scheme in this particular car, but I suspect with the right combination, it could look and feel special. the cabin feels a bit more spacious, but you actually have a higher scuttle, so it feels like you sit low down and are more cocooned in - no bad thing in my opinion. Steering wheel looks a little odd, but actually feels good in the flesh. Sport and suspension buttons are better mounted onto the wheel itself - much more convenient. Surprisingly, the square wheel is not standard, and is a cost option. The leather felt a step up, in terms of feel and suppleness. Small things that i didn't like - the door handles look a bit chunky and boring, while the door handle switch gear (windows/mirrors was overly fussy and a bit plastic looking. Dials are also a step back in my opinion, other than the increased resolution on the digital read out.
Infotainment
Huge leap forward. much more in line with todays offerings from other manufacturers. all displayed on the centre console (sat nav) screen. Whilst I had a play with this, I didn't go into too much detail, but in essence, its a big step forward and much better integrated.
Exterior
Simply stunning. I had reservations on the splitter, but these are long forgotten. Its a very aggressive design up close and personal, but a far more homogenous design that the bolt-on style of the DBS.
Drive
More than enough power, but not a massively noticeable jump from the 490hp Virage I'm in at present. If anything, to notice the difference, you really have to be at the upper end of the rev range. Maybe the easiest way to explain it without sounding too perverse, is that it simply goes harder, for a little longer! Drivability through the rev range is faultless, pulling all the way through with a very smooth torque curve. The sport throttle mapping is noticeably more aggressive, in effect making a much shorter accelerator pedal. interestingly, while I know this won't interest manual purists, the intuitiveness of the "D" auto option is a big step up. more responsive, and when in sport, engages a huge amount of engine breaking that you don't get with the current auto cars. Gear changes are fast and smooth when in paddle mode, but again, not a huge leap in shift times, as its still the same 6 speed ZF box - (but with better software for sure).
Ride
No big improvement, but the 15 (3 x 5) stage dampers work well. there is a seamless transition from wallow to flat when you push on. you could undoubtably soak up many hundreds of miles without any complaints. Steering feedback is precise, and you can feel the rack speed has been increased with good effect. you know exactly whats going on as you increase the lateral load into the chassis, inspiring confidence and predictability.
Overall, it was a nice place to be for a couple of hours. I still have some mixed feelings, and I didn't come away with that "blown away" feeling. there are many improvements, but mostly subtle, all adding up to good effect. i didn't walk away thinking I simply must get one. a big drawback for me is that the Volante won't be around until 2014 - so regardless of anything else, i have a bit of a wait if I took the plunge. its a good step forward, but i wouldn't recommend you all rush to trade in your current cars for one of these!
Oh, and the noise.....probably the best bit! reminds me of my old V8V "S" Roadster....crackling and popping away all day long. They have done very well to extract such a perfect note from this exhaust.
Cheers
Hillbilly168 said:
Dials are also a step back in my opinion, other than the increased resolution on the digital read out.
Infotainment
Huge leap forward. much more in line with todays offerings from other manufacturers. all displayed on the centre console (sat nav) screen.
To be clear, the Vanquish dials are identical to the ones in the current DBS and V12V, and not a step back from those. But it is certainly true that many prefer the DB9/Virage/V8V style instead.Infotainment
Huge leap forward. much more in line with todays offerings from other manufacturers. all displayed on the centre console (sat nav) screen.
So, this does mean that the nav display must always be up in order to do simple things like change/display the radio station? That, to me, is the real 'fail'. I listen to music all of the time while driving and never have the nav screen up to spoil the view. Now...
XXXAngelXXX said:
what time Albert ?
Planned end of afternoon, but when my other meeting in Frankfurt was cancelled, I decided not to drive 2 x 400 km just for driving the Vqs (especially because it currently has no manual option and no volante (2014), and my dealer will have a demo long before the manual volante appears :-)Enjoy your ride around FRANKfurt :-)
cu 
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