Marek on making technology beautiful

[12pack]

Interesting interview with Marek Reichmann. Sounds like he's going to be spending a lot of time integrating Daimler tech into AM interiors.

http://www.theverge.com/2017/2/5/14508596/aston-ma...

[Gday2]

Makes me a little bit sad, for me the Aston is a drivers car which I love to drive myself, I would never have a driver driving the car for me. So do I need the electronics to do the work (enjoyment) for me, no definitely not. I hope all the great gizmos will be on the tick box list.
Just my little rant, maybe I am old fashioned but thats how I am.

[Speedraser]

I didn't like most of what I was reading until the last paragraph of the interview, which made me feel better. One of the most important reasons I love the Gaydon Astons is that they feel more "analogue" than "digital," more like mechanical things than electronic things. The DB11 has moved toward the electronic side, sadly but inevitably, but is still very good to drive. I do not want lane keeping, lane assist, radar cruise, etc. in an Aston Martin. I'm sure some will, and no question it's coming, but I hope it can be optional. Unlikely though. I want to drive, not be driven.

[HBradley]

Whilst most of us here are traditionalists & love the 'analogue' feel of our cars that's not what will necessarily attract new buyers to the marque, which ultimately will bring sales & longevity for the company. A more pragmatic attitude towards tech it long overdue & I welcome the fact that reliable M-B tech will be integrated into the new range of cars, if AML wants to be taken seriously, the tech inside can't continue to be considered 'characterful', that's plain nonsense commercially.
For my part the options list can grow as long as it likes if it helps the future of the company.
My 2p worth

[Neil1300r]

Don't have a problem with the technology, but it needs to be made beautiful. The Screen in the DB11 / MB cars cnnot be described as beautiful. Its just a slab plonked on top of the dash. Whilst we can all criticise the Sat Nav in Gaydon cars there was a little bit of theatre in the screen popping up. It looked designed and integrated.

Not only is the DB11 screen not beautiful it actually lloks like an afterthought, so no design to it. Technology can be beautiful - look at Apple products. This isn't.

[Bincenzo]

HBradley said:

Whilst most of us here are traditionalists & love the 'analogue' feel of our cars that's not what will necessarily attract new buyers to the marque, which ultimately will bring sales & longevity for the company. A more pragmatic attitude towards tech it long overdue & I welcome the fact that reliable M-B tech will be integrated into the new range of cars, if AML wants to be taken seriously, the tech inside can't continue to be considered 'characterful', that's plain nonsense commercially.
For my part the options list can grow as long as it likes if it helps the future of the company.
My 2p worth

Absolutely spot on.

[HBradley]

Neil1300r said:

Don't have a problem with the technology, but it needs to be made beautiful. The Screen in the DB11 / MB cars cnnot be described as beautiful. Its just a slab plonked on top of the dash. Whilst we can all criticise the Sat Nav in Gaydon cars there was a little bit of theatre in the screen popping up. It looked designed and integrated.

Not only is the DB11 screen not beautiful it actually lloks like an afterthought, so no design to it. Technology can be beautiful - look at Apple products. This isn't.

Agreed Neil.
I suspect the size of the screen forced them into this option. The flip-up screen is a piece of theatre that adds to the 'Specialness (?!) of owning an Aston Martin. One could also argue that the ECU (apart from the very silly name!) has the same effect, but people want keyless entry/starting etc.

[Big Ry]

Neil1300r said:

Don't have a problem with the technology, but it needs to be made beautiful. The Screen in the DB11 / MB cars cnnot be described as beautiful. Its just a slab plonked on top of the dash. Whilst we can all criticise the Sat Nav in Gaydon cars there was a little bit of theatre in the screen popping up. It looked designed and integrated.

Not only is the DB11 screen not beautiful it actually lloks like an afterthought, so no design to it. Technology can be beautiful - look at Apple products. This isn't.

Agreed......I think the screen looks ste if I'm totally honest. I also think it looks equally as ste in a MB, there's just zero thought to it. It's like they signed it off and then realised they'd forgotten to add the screen.

I don't actually have an issue with the tech being added to cars, but as you've said, make it beautiful and like it belongs. Also don't make it look crap like in a Tesla.....that stupid oversized screen looks just a rubbish.....all IMHO of course

[Neil1300r]

Big Ry said:

Agreed......I think the screen looks ste if I'm totally honest. I also think it looks equally as ste in a MB, there's just zero thought to it. It's like they signed it off and then realised they'd forgotten to add the screen.

I don't actually have an issue with the tech being added to cars, but as you've said, make it beautiful and like it belongs. Also don't make it look crap like in a Tesla.....that stupid oversized screen looks just a rubbish.....all IMHO of course

That's the problem, it looks like it's a MB dash with no design / though put inot making it look different. It may be acceptable to have a badly designed screen / dash in a MB but not in an Aston.

[SFO]

the DB11 sat nav screen is nasty .. looks very much like an afterthought.