TopGear: Aston Martin will build a Ferrari 488 rival
Discussion
Anybody read this article published today?
TopGear: Aston Martin will build a Ferrari 488 rival
I try to be positive and love to be proven wrong, but why did Lotus' relatively recent debacle run straight through my head?
However, I have much for faith in Andy Palmer as he has a solid track record in the industry.
Here's hoping...
TopGear: Aston Martin will build a Ferrari 488 rival
I try to be positive and love to be proven wrong, but why did Lotus' relatively recent debacle run straight through my head?
However, I have much for faith in Andy Palmer as he has a solid track record in the industry.
Here's hoping...
Been the plan for a while now. It's no coincidence AML hired Ferrari's now-former Head of Innovation to be Aston's CTO, and Andy has said very openly that the Valkyrie will be the first rear mid-engine Aston, followed by one slotted to compete with Ferrari's 458/488/4whatevercomesnext segment.
The real question is whether they can pull it off!
The real question is whether they can pull it off!
Speedraser said:
Aston should make great Astons, and to me, Astons are front-engined (Bulldog notwithstanding). I think Bez was absolutely right to change the V8 Vantage from mid- to front-engined. Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren do what they do brilliantly -- why go directly after them?
Good point but likely all down to market demand and share. A bit like saloons making way for SUVs.A place remains for front-mounted engines. Ferrari proves that - and they live in harmony with their mid-engined stablemates.
My concern would be that it retains that AM "feel". We don't need a highly strung car for everyday but any benefits of mid-engined layout would always be welcome. After all, the Vantage only has two seats, so unless they put the engine in the passenger seat, the accommodation situation can't get worse...
I love how my V8V feels going down the road - a place unstuitable for magazine style slides - with its confidence-inspiring feedback. I don't feel I have to be a pro-racer to enjoy.
Somehow the replacement V8V doesn't yet grab me as I love the n/a engine, manual box and relative simplicity. Oh... and the looks and sound! Package most of these positives in mid-engined layout and add even more positives and "cool", I'd be genuinely interested.
Until then, my dream is to save up for a V12 Vantage Zagato. For then there would then be no replacement option
nickv8 said:
. . . but any benefits of mid-engined layout would always be welcome. After all, the Vantage only has two seats, so unless they put the engine in the passenger seat, the accommodation situation can't get worse...
The only accommodation difference tends to be with luggage space.
With the present Vantage, we like the lifting tailgate and the amount of luggage space is surprisingly generous for a sports car. We have even seen photographs here of a bicycle in the boot.
The front mid-engined and rear gearbox layout, provides almost equal front and rear weight distribution, which could not be bettered by mid-engined cars. The handling advantage of a mid-engined car, is because more of the weight is located in the centre of the vehicle, but do we regret not having that benefit when we drive our Aston Martins now? If I push through a corner, I always have the feeling that I am the limiting factor, not the car.
I think the problem is aiming for 488 competitor. I imagine by now Fezza already have plans for the next 2 successors to the 488. AM are likely to arrive with a car far behind in terms of performance. I do like the idea though, it’s a car I would most likely buy. I do like fezas but could never bring myself to own one, I personally don’t think it’s a badge that appeals to a lot of people, the reputation is “footballer, midlife crisis or small d**k) rightly or wrongly that is the impression of people! Anyone who has driven these cars has had public making hand gestures that simply don’t happen in an AM! This makes anything AM produce in a more likeable car imho
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