New partner confirmed
Discussion
ASTON MARTIN ANNOUNCES
NEW PARTNERSHIP
ASTON MARTIN WELCOMES INVESTINDUSTRIAL
AS A MAJOR SHAREHOLDER AND CONFIRMS
THAT IT WILL PROCEED WITH EXTENSIVE
AND EXCITING PLANS FOR
LONG-TERM GROWTH.
http://www.astonmartin.com/en/news?nTitle=Aston+Ma...
NEW PARTNERSHIP
ASTON MARTIN WELCOMES INVESTINDUSTRIAL
AS A MAJOR SHAREHOLDER AND CONFIRMS
THAT IT WILL PROCEED WITH EXTENSIVE
AND EXCITING PLANS FOR
LONG-TERM GROWTH.
http://www.astonmartin.com/en/news?nTitle=Aston+Ma...
Mmm, the same engine that powered the Zonda could be in the next top-of-the-range car. What is too old-tech for Merc would be fine for AML 
They will no doubt call it 'w
kwish' because Obergruppenfuhrer Bez just wants to use the same name over and over again for some reason 
I hope this is good news. It does seem to be
They will no doubt call it 'w
kwish' because Obergruppenfuhrer Bez just wants to use the same name over and over again for some reason I hope this is good news. It does seem to be
yeti said:
Mmm, the same engine that powered the Zonda could be in the next top-of-the-range car. What is too old-tech for Merc would be fine for AML
I very much doubt it will. I'm fairly sure they've retired that engine and only make the very occasional one for new Pagani Zondas like the 760RS. They still do the 6 litre V12 twin turbo that's in the Huyrya. That's more likely, although I don't like the idea of turboed Astons. The 6.2 V8 will do perfectly I suspect
What's the connection between Investindustrial and Mercedes/AMG? (Sorry, probably a basic question!)
From Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/07/us-aston...
It added that no agreement had been made on a technical partnership for Aston Martin with Daimler AG's Mercedes (DAIGn.DE), as some analysts had expected.
From Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/07/us-aston...
It added that no agreement had been made on a technical partnership for Aston Martin with Daimler AG's Mercedes (DAIGn.DE), as some analysts had expected.
Edited by Shmee on Friday 7th December 11:52
and btw these are good news George29 said:
Btw, this means your chances of a new car with a manual being made is slim. No AMG manuals made in years!
Agree the 6.2 V8 would be fine for the kid's car. What about the grown ups/real men (and women)?
I can't believe with or without a tie-in to AMG there is any chance of manual or single clutch automated manual being part of the line-up going forward - this just accelerates the process of ditching them
What AM so very badly need is a dual clutch flappy box (the DCT referred to above) though it has to be said, Mercs version isn't nearly as highly rated as some others - I don't have experience of driving an SLS but I'm told it's slow shifts are it's biggest weakness ? Having said that, Ferrari have proven these things can be constantly improved upon and as with AM's SS, you simply have to be realistic that it will take several iterations before they get it bang-on
Of course the vast majority of mercs have historically been sold with conventional torque convertor autos...........
But tapping into AMG/Merc's engine line-up has to have some great potential in the medium term
What AM so very badly need is a dual clutch flappy box (the DCT referred to above) though it has to be said, Mercs version isn't nearly as highly rated as some others - I don't have experience of driving an SLS but I'm told it's slow shifts are it's biggest weakness ? Having said that, Ferrari have proven these things can be constantly improved upon and as with AM's SS, you simply have to be realistic that it will take several iterations before they get it bang-on
Of course the vast majority of mercs have historically been sold with conventional torque convertor autos...........
But tapping into AMG/Merc's engine line-up has to have some great potential in the medium term
jonby said:
What AM so very badly need is a dual clutch flappy box (the DCT referred to above) though it has to be said, Mercs version isn't nearly as highly rated as some others - I don't have experience of driving an SLS but I'm told it's slow shifts are it's biggest weakness ?
Mercs version is the same gearbox as the Ferrari 458, but is tuned for longer life than in the Ferrari apparently. I've driven an SLS and didn't have an issue with the gearbox, I thought it was brilliant (and it was coming from the TT2 box in the DB9). Slow shifts are hardly a problem on the road. The SLS GT and Black series are supposed to have much faster versions of the gearbox available, so they could always be used too.
yeti said:
Although... it would therefore be one way of differentiating the top AMGs and the top Astons? Merc have never made a decent manual gearbox apparently, but will they let the relationship with Graziano continue..?
Agree the 6.2 V8 would be fine for the kid's car. What about the grown ups/real men (and women)?
Yeti, manuals are dead. Like it or not. Agree the 6.2 V8 would be fine for the kid's car. What about the grown ups/real men (and women)?
Porsche sell something like 90% PDK in Europe I think. Ferrari don't offer manuals, I wouldn't be surprised if Lamborghini drop the manual from the Gallardo replacement. Only a very small minority want manuals anymore!
Also - SLS GT spec 6.2 V8 in the mans car, little 5.5 turbo V8 for the boys car
'Investindustrial is investing 150 million pounds ($241 million) in Aston Martin in the form of a capital increase, said the British car-maker on Friday.
The British company said the deal gave the group an enterprise value of 780 million pounds, compared to a value of 630 million pounds prior to the agreement.'
Why do people feel compelled to state the obvious?
I hope they don't think their customers are incapable of adding 150 to 630.
Anyway, it does appear good news for AML. A pure investor would not put money in and expect a financial return, so hopefully this is being done with heart, and respect for the heritage.
The British company said the deal gave the group an enterprise value of 780 million pounds, compared to a value of 630 million pounds prior to the agreement.'
Why do people feel compelled to state the obvious?
I hope they don't think their customers are incapable of adding 150 to 630.
Anyway, it does appear good news for AML. A pure investor would not put money in and expect a financial return, so hopefully this is being done with heart, and respect for the heritage.
George29 said:
jonby said:
What AM so very badly need is a dual clutch flappy box (the DCT referred to above) though it has to be said, Mercs version isn't nearly as highly rated as some others - I don't have experience of driving an SLS but I'm told it's slow shifts are it's biggest weakness ?
Mercs version is the same gearbox as the Ferrari 458, but is tuned for longer life than in the Ferrari apparently. I've driven an SLS and didn't have an issue with the gearbox, I thought it was brilliant (and it was coming from the TT2 box in the DB9). Slow shifts are hardly a problem on the road. The SLS GT and Black series are supposed to have much faster versions of the gearbox available, so they could always be used too.
Jon39 said:
'Investindustrial is investing 150 million pounds ($241 million) in Aston Martin in the form of a capital increase, said the British car-maker on Friday.
Anyway, it does appear good news for AML. A pure investor would not put money in and expect a financial return, so hopefully this is being done with heart, and respect for the heritage.
Investindustrial is owned primarily by Bi-Invest S. A., a company owned and directed by members of the Italian family Bonomi. They did a good job with Ducati, "with heart, and respect for the heritage", so I think that - altough it may seem funny in some way that an Italian-owned company buys a British sportcars manufacturer - they will do de same with AM.Anyway, it does appear good news for AML. A pure investor would not put money in and expect a financial return, so hopefully this is being done with heart, and respect for the heritage.
George29 said:
that's who I wanted to get it. Can't wait for the AMG technology to start appearing. Lets hope they start with the AMG Speedshift DCT gearbox!The AMG speedshift is light years ahead of the automated box fitted to the V8V - and with 510 bhp + oodles of torque; what a car that would be!
Graham
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