What next for the Vantage?

[jonby]

Neil1300R said:

robgt said:

I reckon by 2015 we will have a body rehash though it will still retain a strong resemblance to the current Vantage. Engine wise we will have AMG based V8's with forced induction for the hot version. V12's will be phased out. PDK is unlikely because you would have no boot space at all. Looking under the bonnet of Molly's Polo GTI the gearbox looks to be the same size as the engine. Switchable suspension or AD will be fitted. There will be a serious reduction in overall weight, the interior will be brought right up to date and it will be a winner because they cannot afford it not to be

I don't see the V12 being discontinued until 2017, as AM have signed a deal with Ford for production to continue until then. additionally AM have just changed the ECU (Bosch?) to help with emissions, tuning,costs etc.

agree totally on the V12 thoughts

The bigger question for me is future of V8V - they have to decide if they are continuing in the market at the 100k price level

Assuming they are, as some others in this thread have suggested, forced induction, of a V6 or V8, is one assumes the future, together with weight saving

I'm not sure I understand the comments about DB9 interior - it's barely any different to Vantage interior is it ? All the cars will adopt a similar type of layout to vanquish - one assumes it's only when not if. DBS had a unique interior for 12 months or so then all the other cars adopted it - this will surely be the same with the vanquish interior ?

And as for gearbox - dual clutch is only a matter of when, not if - it could be 1 yr or 5 but the reality is, in 10 yrs time, I think we will look back at all cars and see single clutch automated manual as a dated short run fad and I say that as a fan of them !

[Grant3]

jonby said:

I'm not sure I understand the comments about DB9 interior - it's barely any different to Vantage interior is it ? All the cars will adopt a similar type of layout to vanquish - one assumes it's only when not if. DBS had a unique interior for 12 months or so then all the other cars adopted it - this will surely be the same with the vanquish interior ?

You are right Johnby, I only included the two interior choices to really get a feel ( as with the styling) whether people are happy with another small evolutionary step next or now require a larger more defining change, e.g. New CC100 styling and Vanquish interior from the off or just a refresh incorporating the shared Bi-Xenons and some new interior tweaks. The poll thingy doesn't seem to give you enough slots to include a full wish list to fully canvas opinions on all aspects of the likely evolution.

[V8 Animal]

Make all the Vantage's with a metal folding roof like the Z4 for eg.

[mikey k]

V8 Animal said:

Make all the Vantage's with a metal folding roof like the Z4 for eg.

No thank you
adds too much weight to an under powered car
puts the weight to high up moving the CofG
they can rattle and creak like buggery and are a nightmare if they go wrong

[Neil1300R]

mikey k said:

V8 Animal said:

Make all the Vantage's with a metal folding roof like the Z4 for eg.

No thank you
adds too much weight to an under powered car
puts the weight to high up moving the CofG
they can rattle and creak like buggery and are a nightmare if they go wrong

One of the great things about the Vantage is the luggage space for doing Continental trips. Folding metal roofs leave no space

[steveatesh]

Whatever they do I hope they focus big time on quality and take a longer term view rather than being led by the accountants who work from tax year to tax year. Designing out sources of rattles ( eg a different solution for the sat nav) would be great but I daresay is unlikely to happen any time soon. As another poster said, running costs too, so design LED position lights that can be fixed much cheaper than now for example. This would then allow a perception of quality to grow, and hopefully have the Top Gear magazine remove its comment about the brand being beautiful but it will end in tears, or something like that.

I really hope they don't just repeat the current interior and that the new Vanquish style permeates down the range.

For those that don't like up to date electronics they could offer a heritage pack option consisting of dials and brass pipes, and drink optics on the facia to dispense brandy on those cold nights. I'm sure that would sell well

[George29]

steveatesh said:

I really hope they don't just repeat the current interior and that the new Vanquish style permeates down the range.

I'm the opposite, I want to see an evolution of the current interior rather than the Vanquish style. It might not be as good to use, but the current interior looks so much better imo.

I also don't think they should go for 500+bhp for the base car. Something around 450 is spot on, they should make it lighter though. Also they should stay normally aspirated.

Looks wise I'd like to see a similar shape to now but evolved slightly (no spoilers or nasty splitters like the Vanquish though please).

[whoami]

steveatesh said:

Whatever they do I hope they focus big time on quality and take a longer term view rather than being led by the accountants who work from tax year to tax year. Designing out sources of rattles ( eg a different solution for the sat nav) would be great but I daresay is unlikely to happen any time soon. As another poster said, running costs too, so design LED position lights that can be fixed much cheaper than now for example. This would then allow a perception of quality to grow, and hopefully have the Top Gear magazine remove its comment about the brand being beautiful but it will end in tears, or something like that.

The perceived lack of quality is a serious barrier to potential new customers.

[whoami]

yeti said:

whoami said:

steveatesh said:

build something that will sell in the emerging markets, such as dare I say it the elusive SUV.

I was talking to someone in AM today.

That was spot on with their assessment of what may come next.

It's inevitable and no bad thing for the company... but do your contacts intimate whether it's the end of the Vantage-Class car?

Well, a fair bit of vagueness (either deliberate or otherwise...) but talk of it continuing with much mention of AMG engines at some point.

[SHIFTY]

Adjustable dampers would be top of my list just been in an F type and it corners like its on rails and perfectly flat, AM have to change something or else existing buyers will go elsewhere.

[whoami]

SHIFTY said:

Adjustable dampers would be top of my list just been in an F type and it corners like its on rails and perfectly flat, AM have to change something or else existing buyers will go elsewhere.

What did you think of the interior quality in the F-type?

[stevewushu]

I get a feeling it'll be a smaller wheelbase version of the new vanquish with a n/a V8. But producing 450ish bhp... so lighter but more agile.

Personally I'd go for it

[Vee12V]

whoami said:

SHIFTY said:

Adjustable dampers would be top of my list just been in an F type and it corners like its on rails and perfectly flat, AM have to change something or else existing buyers will go elsewhere.

What did you think of the interior quality in the F-type?

Interior quality isn't exactly up to current Aston levels. Many tacky materials, some gaps that I found poor (like round the cup holder arrangement between the seats). NIce car, but lacks sophistication. Especially on the inside.

[outofstepuk]

stevewushu said:

I get a feeling it'll be a smaller wheelbase version of the new vanquish with a n/a V8. But producing 450ish bhp... so lighter but more agile.

Personally I'd go for it

that would be my preference too.

[bogie]

yeah, id go for a smaller Vantage too...no need for the bit behind the seats...keep the styling and the V8 and shrink/lighten it a bit

[FrogInLondon]

Interesting question, we had this discussion with PilotAM on Tuesday night (and naturally having a different view on the matter).

AM should have 2 distinct branches (excluding the race and classic divisions): Vantage size and DB9 size. They cover the market from a V8 to a V12.

Not everybody want a V12 or a cruiser (e.g. a DB9) but something beautiful and small

Agree that more power on the vantage + a bit new tech will be brilliant. The vantage shape is outstanding and F type or 911 provide a different shape.

There is a risk of going very exclusive and with a wrong a model than nobody likes what will be your future cash flow to develop new model????

[jonby]

outofstepuk said:

stevewushu said:

I get a feeling it'll be a smaller wheelbase version of the new vanquish with a n/a V8. But producing 450ish bhp... so lighter but more agile.

Personally I'd go for it

that would be my preference too.

I think they need to differentiate more between the 2+2 V12 GTs and the 2 seaters. If it's just a slightly smaller version, it won't be that much lighter, therefore won't drive that differently, therefore won't be that different. Do you know that for all they talk about V12V being the smallest car with the biggest engine, the weight difference between V12V & DBS was less than 100kg ! The main difference between the 2 (when comparing DBS manual) is the wheelbase length and passive vs active dampers

Surely now is the time to look at properly differentiating the 2 and turning Vantage into more of a no frills car, to become significantly lighter & more agile, which means more stripped out & less luxurious - not extreme, just relative to typical Aston luxury

[stevewushu]

jonby said:

outofstepuk said:

stevewushu said:

I get a feeling it'll be a smaller wheelbase version of the new vanquish with a n/a V8. But producing 450ish bhp... so lighter but more agile.

Personally I'd go for it

that would be my preference too.

I think they need to differentiate more between the 2+2 V12 GTs and the 2 seaters. If it's just a slightly smaller version, it won't be that much lighter, therefore won't drive that differently, therefore won't be that different. Do you know that for all they talk about V12V being the smallest car with the biggest engine, the weight difference between V12V & DBS was less than 100kg ! The main difference between the 2 (when comparing DBS manual) is the wheelbase length and passive vs active dampers

Surely now is the time to look at properly differentiating the 2 and turning Vantage into more of a no frills car, to become significantly lighter & more agile, which means more stripped out & less luxurious - not extreme, just relative to typical Aston luxury


Hmmm, yeah I think I agree actually.
But the new Vanquish is kinda extreme don't you think?
It definitely seems less GT than the DBS.

Would Aston brave it and go for a twin s/c 6 cylinder? Keep the weight and size down and make it more extreme that way?

Anyway!
When can we expect to see a new Vantage? or will it be a name change?
Bulldog perhaps!

[whoami]

Vee12V said:

whoami said:

SHIFTY said:

Adjustable dampers would be top of my list just been in an F type and it corners like its on rails and perfectly flat, AM have to change something or else existing buyers will go elsewhere.

What did you think of the interior quality in the F-type?

Interior quality isn't exactly up to current Aston levels. Many tacky materials, some gaps that I found poor (like round the cup holder arrangement between the seats). NIce car, but lacks sophistication. Especially on the inside.

I loved the car but also found the interior pretty low rent (for the lofty price).

[whoami]

Grant3 said:

whoami said:

CUV.....
I was talking to someone in AM today.

That was spot on with their assessment of what may come next.

Cheeky Mr Hamilton but no doubt near the mark alla Porsche Cayenne

Hi Grant