Autocar article - DB11

[Jon39]

Autocar this week has a several page article about the DB11, including a drawing of the car.

I know the magazine have a good relationship with AML, so I expect an official nod was given to publish now. The author does mention seeing the car.

Most of what is written has already been given an airing on here, but one statement caught my attention. There will be a manual gearbox option, supposedly at Andy Palmer's insistence.

Their drawing does show a stunning car.

[Phil74891]

Jon39 said:

Most of what is written has already been given an airing on here, but one statement caught my attention. There will be a manual gearbox option, supposedly at Andy Palmer's insistence.

I haven't seen the article, just a few of the usual spy shots. I'm sure it will be a stunning evolution of the DB9 design.

I'm just wondering though - how many purchasers will actually spec a manual gearbox on what is clearly a big GT car with a million torques? I couldn't think of anything worse than a clutch pedal, especially if it has the latest Vanquish type box in it, which I've read is very good. (Not driven one).

I'll take cover now........

[jonby]

Saw the article in print yesterday - as has been suggested, mostly nothing new, including the section on forthcoming models in general over the next few years

New interiors, properly new shapes whilst still an evolution of what we now think of as Aston design language, influence from some of the recent concept/extreme/ltd ed cars, it's vantage replacement that takes inspiration from DB10 not the new DB11 that does, etc, etc

Also confirmation that DB11 will start with twin turbo downsized V12, but later will offer AMG V8 TT, possibly as an option rather than as a replacement

Transmissions was indeed the most interesting - not just the manual option, but also the sticking with ZF 8 spead auto rather than going for a 'merc box'

As for demand for a manual - does it really matter ? I just don't buy that it costs that much money to offer it as an option and there will be some demand. I agree with the idea above that in a GT, it will be less popular than in the sports car but DBS manuals are still popular and the manual DB9 1st gen, a very rare beast, is a car I've spent many miles in and have much love for. If they only sell 100-200 a year, for say 7 years, it's still enough to make it worthwhile

If they are lucky, those buyers who have had manual Ferrari V12s, like the 550/575, a few 599s, 456, 612, etc have no Ferrari option, likewise some of the Maserati GTs, will see this as their only choice. Aston could pick up sales from converts given the paucity of choice of any manual fast car these days. But again, I agree, more likely in the sports car (vantage) to generate sales. One also has to think about the positive statement it makes about Aston as a firm to the petrolhead community (to offer manual) which may have an influence over their decision

[Jon39]

jonby said:

Transmissions was indeed the most interesting - not just the manual option, but also the sticking with ZF 8 spead auto rather than going for a 'merc box'

Is the AMG GT the only Mercedes-Benz with a transaxle gearbox?

If so, perhaps AML prefer to continue with the 8 speed auto that they are using now.

I am assuming that the AMG GT gearbox is M-Bs own manufacture, and not bought in.

[PlusOneToo]

I bought the mag as the interpretation looked stunning however I read that, like most superseded models it has grown in size. One reason for the expansion is the need for it to be seen as an everyday car with useable rear seats - isn't that what the Rapide was supposed to be? IMHO if the car gets any bigger it will be less of an everyday car. Try parking it in a standard parking bay or parallel park in a crowded High Street somewhere.

[SFO]

Jon39 said:

jonby said:

Transmissions was indeed the most interesting - not just the manual option, but also the sticking with ZF 8 spead auto rather than going for a 'merc box'

Is the AMG GT the only Mercedes-Benz with a transaxle gearbox?

If so, perhaps AML prefer to continue with the 8 speed auto that they are using now.

I am assuming that the AMG GT gearbox is M-Bs own manufacture, and not bought in.

AMG GT's gearbox is the Dual Clutch unit also used in 1st Gen Ferrari California .. I think,

Definitely not MB's 7G Tronic

[JohnG1]

SFO said:

Jon39 said:

jonby said:

Transmissions was indeed the most interesting - not just the manual option, but also the sticking with ZF 8 spead auto rather than going for a 'merc box'

Is the AMG GT the only Mercedes-Benz with a transaxle gearbox?

If so, perhaps AML prefer to continue with the 8 speed auto that they are using now.

I am assuming that the AMG GT gearbox is M-Bs own manufacture, and not bought in.

AMG GT's gearbox is the Dual Clutch unit also used in 1st Gen Ferrari California .. I think,

Definitely not MB's 7G Tronic

Isn't the AMG GT gearbox the same as the AMG SLS which is a Graziano gearbox with an AMG designed clutch? And essentially the same Graziano box as the SportShift in the various Vantage models...

[Speedraser]

Phil74891 said:

Jon39 said:

Most of what is written has already been given an airing on here, but one statement caught my attention. There will be a manual gearbox option, supposedly at Andy Palmer's insistence.

I'm just wondering though - how many purchasers will actually spec a manual gearbox on what is clearly a big GT car with a million torques? I couldn't think of anything worse than a clutch pedal...

What's worse than having a clutch pedal? Easy -- not having a clutch pedal.

[Speedraser]

JohnG1 said:

Isn't the AMG GT gearbox the same as the AMG SLS which is a Graziano gearbox with an AMG designed clutch? And essentially the same Graziano box as the SportShift in the various Vantage models...

I'm pretty sure it's a Getrag 'box. In any case, it's a dual-clutch 'box -- very different from the 'box in a SportShift Vantage, which is a single-clutch 'box made by Graziano.

[Jon39]

I think the recent knowledgeable contributors have indicated the answer, to Jonby's comment about not using an M-B gearbox.

The consensus is now that M-B are using an automated manual for their AMG GT 'sports' car, so AML would want to continue with a torque converter gearbox, because it is better suited to their 'GT' cars.

Edited by Jon39 on Friday 21st August 12:15

[JohnG1]

Speedraser said:

JohnG1 said:

Isn't the AMG GT gearbox the same as the AMG SLS which is a Graziano gearbox with an AMG designed clutch? And essentially the same Graziano box as the SportShift in the various Vantage models...

I'm pretty sure it's a Getrag 'box. In any case, it's a dual-clutch 'box -- very different from the 'box in a SportShift Vantage, which is a single-clutch 'box made by Graziano.

You are right - the AMG uses a Getrag box. I was confusing AMG and McLaren - the Vantage gearbox is the same gearbox as the McLaren - just a different clutch set up.

[Speedraser]

John,

The Vantage 'box isn't the same as the McLaren's-- the McLaren uses a dual clutch 'box (2 input shafts) like the AMG rather than the single clutch (2 input shaft) 'box in the Vantage.

Edited by Speedraser on Saturday 22 August 04:45