Discussion
Seems the RapidE has been shelved. Can't say I'm surprised, non-ground-up EV designs are a thing of the past now, I know the DBX has been designed with electrification in mind from the start so will be far less compromised.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/aston-...
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/aston-...
Edward Robbins said:
Really? Why is that may I ask? I couldn’t think of anything worse! The thought of an Aston Martin with anything other than a proper engine in it almost terrifies me!
Aston is going to need some electric/hybrid tech over the next decade to compete and survive and Tesla is up there with the best in this space. Musk also knows a thing or two about adversity and keeping shareholders happy whilst also maintaining a bit of a maverick streak. I’m not sure I like him but I like the attitude, ambition and sheer vision of what he has achieved. Aston could benefit from cutting edge tech and hybrid electric power in the super cars and SUVs whilst still building big engined sports cars. Tesla could benefit from some Aston design fairy dust, cornering capabilities and heritage.
All pie in the sky but not entirely bonkers in my opinion.
PushedDover said:
Agreed
The noise / engines will become extinct at some point. Then what?
As for “terrifies” ?
Really, as a grown up, it terrifies?
Well to be fair I did say ‘almost’ terrifies me, but yes a bit of an over exaggeration on my part. My wife would also disagree about me being a grown up! The noise / engines will become extinct at some point. Then what?
As for “terrifies” ?
Really, as a grown up, it terrifies?
I know that it’s happening & I know that no matter what I think about it I cannot stop it, I guess that in my eyes the whole point of owning such a car is the emotions that they make you feel. I was at a dealer recently and a Customer was collecting a Vanquish, it was fired up in the showroom and I couldn’t help thinking that in the future that part of the experience won’t happen, it’ll just drive out quietly, yes better for the planet and all that but still not quite the same.
Edward Robbins said:
I know that it’s happening & I know that no matter what I think about it I cannot stop it, I guess that in my eyes the whole point of owning such a car is the emotions that they make you feel. I was at a dealer recently and a Customer was collecting a Vanquish, it was fired up in the showroom and I couldn’t help thinking that in the future that part of the experience won’t happen, it’ll just drive out quietly, yes better for the planet and all that but still not quite the same.
My guess is that a majority of the present Aston Martin owners, would not be interested in owning even a beautiful sports milk float. For me, that 'special Aston Martin ingredient', would have been lost.
Hopefully there will be enough new customers to replace us.
xnetco said:
I agree that I would like to see Tesla and Aston Martin formally working together. I have noticed that they have exchanged a lot of staff over the year.
I own both a DBS S and a Model 3 and it's really the best combination. If they could nail it all into one car with 0 BIK! Wow!
I think the a model 3 will be my next run around car. Stand out electric car at the moment. Having suggested all of the above Musk doesn’t strike me as a collaborator/investor. He’s best when running the show so I can’t see it happening. Nice idea though. I own both a DBS S and a Model 3 and it's really the best combination. If they could nail it all into one car with 0 BIK! Wow!
PushedDover said:
Well that poses a hypothetical scenario -
Would you rather AM adopts and translations to have EV?
Or it folds as a brand ?
Good question, I suppose ultimately in that scenario to see Aston Martin fold wouldn’t be good. Having been around the factory and met the enthusiastic people that work there and knowing the love that exists for this great marque I wouldn’t want that to end. However would I want to buy an all electric Aston? No I wouldn’t, maybe as times change I’d get used to that idea but certainly not the way I feel about it now. Would you rather AM adopts and translations to have EV?
Or it folds as a brand ?
I get the whole electric thing when it comes to day to day commuting, but when it comes to the likes of Ferrari, Aston, Lamborghini etc those cars are for the most part are purchased as toys for the weekend and therefore purchased with the heart rather than a head. In my mind (however ignorant that place may be) there isn’t a huge amount of difference between an Aston with an electric motor and a BMW with an electric motor, yes the Aston will be beautiful and have that badge but essentially they are both white goods. At the end of the day they will both roll silently down the road. For me It’s those mighty V8 & V12’s that give the Aston’s & Ferrari’s their character and personality that help set them apart from the rest.
I’d like to think that the policy makers who came up with the 2040 ban on fossil fuel powered vehicles might have considered that low volume manufacturers of specialist cars contribute such a tiny amount of carbon that those manufacturers might be exempt. Quite often on PistonHeads I see people say that they’re fine having an electric car for commuting but still want a V10 R8 for the weekend, I just hope that the two forms of propulsion can live together rather than this relentless push for pure electric. Maybe synthetic ‘e fuels’ will come along and help save the internal combustion engine, perhaps that’s the answer (I believe that Porsche and Audi are looking into this)
Sorry for the long answer!
No apology required 
Your last point poses an interesting one - a lifeline perhaps for an ICE toy / car - a synthetic and friendly fuel......
but whilst we lambastvthe lack of infrastructure for EC cars - the infrastructure to support toy weekend / playthings with a fuel to allow the ICE to continue is even more unlikely that anything else I have heard.
I’m no greenie, Evangelical EV guy ( never even driven one !) but what I find interesting is I am yet to hear of anyone - on PH or the real world that has gone EV and summarised it as crap.
I think that if AM refuse to transition - they will not be able to survive.
Your last point poses an interesting one - a lifeline perhaps for an ICE toy / car - a synthetic and friendly fuel......
but whilst we lambastvthe lack of infrastructure for EC cars - the infrastructure to support toy weekend / playthings with a fuel to allow the ICE to continue is even more unlikely that anything else I have heard.
I’m no greenie, Evangelical EV guy ( never even driven one !) but what I find interesting is I am yet to hear of anyone - on PH or the real world that has gone EV and summarised it as crap.
I think that if AM refuse to transition - they will not be able to survive.
Bobajobbob said:
I think the a model 3 will be my next run around car. Stand out electric car at the moment. Having suggested all of the above Musk doesn’t strike me as a collaborator/investor. He’s best when running the show so I can’t see it happening. Nice idea though.
I agree about Musk. He’s a control freak. However the model 3 is excellent. Very impressed with the Performance model. In some ways it puts the Aston into the share. Aldhun said:
Why would anyone purchase an Aston or any Motorbike if it wasn't for the noise they make. A naturally aspirated V12 Aston is God's gift to us all.
Do Aston have to comply with the average CO2 figure of 95g/km by next year or do rather escape it because they’re a small manufacturer ? I assume it must be the latter otherwise they will obviously be well over it with some serious fines.Aldhun said:
Why would anyone purchase an Aston or any Motorbike if it wasn't for the noise they make. A naturally aspirated V12 Aston is God's gift to us all.
I'm fortunate to have both an EV motorbike and a petrol one. Both very high performance, fast as anything (faster, quite possibly) and both very different. For electric bikes range IS still an issue but how often do you ride more than 100 miles on a bike? Well, ok, sometimes hence the petrol one! But the fun of the ride is anything but an issue - just been out for a Sunday afternoon blast and chose the electric.Bobajobbob said:
I think the a model 3 will be my next run around car. Stand out electric car at the moment.
Mine arrives tomorrow and I can't wait for it 
Bobajobbob said:
Aston is going to need some electric/hybrid tech over the next decade to compete and survive and Tesla is up there with the best in this space
I'd argue in the next 5 years. I'd not touch the DBX with a barge pole given it could be banned from city centers quite quickly (I live in the Netherlands before anyone yells heresy) , however an EV variant could be very tempting.Edited by dbs2000 on Monday 13th January 08:33
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