The end of the Manual Aston

[Chris Hinds]

Looks like something missing from Tobias' interview was this little snippet... https://www.caradvice.com.au/952064/aston-martin-t...

Bye bye manual Aston Martins

[Jon39]

Extract;

“No [we are not committed to the manual gearbox] … it was not a good journey, but sports cars have changed a bit and there are not that many enthusiasts out there anymore … we did a few assessments about that, and decided you don’t need it anymore,” Moers said.

Is TM referring to manual gearbox enthusiasts, or sports car enthusiasts ?

[AdamV12V]

"There are not that many enthusiasts out there anymore..."

WTF kind of research is that for the maker of a luxury sports cars?

So are they going to switch to making cars that don't appeal to enthusiasts?

[bogie]

wow....best keep my old manual then

[LooneyTunes]

Taking the previous model Vantage, does anyone know what the ratio of manual to auto was?

My impression is that people often say (on places like PH) that they want manual versions but when it comes to the crunch don’t tick the manual box at order time...

[Jon39]

LooneyTunes said:

Taking the previous model Vantage, does anyone know what the ratio of manual to auto was.

I don't have any figures, but when the Sportshift was first introduced it immediately became the popular choice. Therefore many 4.3 cars have it.
When the 4.7 began, there seemed to be some resurgence of the manual.

[AstonV]

Jon39 said:

LooneyTunes said:

Taking the previous model Vantage, does anyone know what the ratio of manual to auto was.

I don't have any figures, but when the Sportshift was first introduced it immediately became the popular choice. Therefore many 4.3 cars have it.
When the 4.7 began, there seemed to be some resurgence of the manual.

Dealer told me, this was several years ago, they ordered something like 3 to 1 auto to manual. Most buyers wanted auto, but became disappointed with the single clutch automated manual.

[macdeb]

OK, for the last time. They did NOT make an 'auto' Vantage, it is a 'Sport Shift'. Same gearbox, same clutch, no torque converter. As you were

[SL500UK]

Technically you are of course correct. But to ageing folk like myself, a manual car has a third pedal called a clutch and a stick in the middle of the car that you pull and push. Anything else is not a proper manual.

[bogie]

The data accuracy here depends on what the dealer registered the car as on the V5 but does not seem to be significantly more of either gearbox depending on variant

https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/?page=2&q=aston+...

[AdamV12V]

I cant help feeling more let down by these words than anything the Aston leadership has said in recent years. Since ever actually, now I really think about it....

It's one thing to try to take the company in a new direction, it's another thing entirely to give the middle finger to the loyal customers who have kept the brand just about hanging in there over the years, as you make the change of direction...

Its not just the no more manuals that gets me, its the whole - enthusiasts don't matter as they are too few.

Seems they just want the fickle buyers who want the newest shiny trendy car to have, and want to turn those buyers over on a zero equity PCP deal, so they keep coming back on the proviso they have developed a new shiny "must have" by the time their PCP runs out.

I guess its a consequence of the share floatation - have to maximise returns for shareholders.

I wonder how many of the shareholders are also the enthusiasts they no longer wish to satisfy?

Edited by AdamV12V on Friday 14th May 19:57

[Minglar]

AdamV12V said:

Seems they just want the fickle buyers who want the newest shiny trendy car to have, and want to turn those buyers over on a zero equity PC deal, so they keep coming back on the proviso they have developed a new shiny "must have" by the time their PCP runs out.

Edited by AdamV12V on Friday 14th May 19:32

Can’t disagree with you at all Adam. It’s sad to hear the comments regarding the manual as the “official” AM line now. We have known for a long time that the existing client base isn’t really the new target audience. Your comment I’ve highlighted above is exactly what has happened to Mercedes Benz over the last ten or fifteen years. A once premium, relatively rare and solidly built offering is now common place as the market has been saturated with a plethora of new models and cheap affordable finance deals, which get rolled every two or three years. Perhaps that’s what AM wants now? The more I read all of this stuff the more I think I may as well just keep my current car until I’m no longer allowed to drive it. Sad times but that’s the way of the world now.

Best Regards

Minglar

[Beckson]

Just wait until they announce a "final v12" or really start pushing chassis sharing with MB products.

The sad reality is, that I don't understand how Ferrari, Lambo, AM, etc will have a place in a 100% electrified future. I mean really, whats the point ? Once it gets to that.

[macdeb]

SL500UK said:

Technically you are of course correct. But to ageing folk like myself, a manual car has a third pedal called a clutch and a stick in the middle of the car that you pull and push. Anything else is not a proper manual.

Yes and no. An 'auto' changes gear when it thinks it should. A Sport-shift changes gear when the driver says it should. My issue is with how it is described as an 'auto' when it is not. I get the stick/pedal thing. I am myself advancing in years

Edited by macdeb on Friday 14th May 20:11

Edited by macdeb on Friday 14th May 20:36

[AMVSVNick]

AdamV12V said:

"There are not that many enthusiasts out there anymore..."

WTF kind of research is that for the maker of a luxury sports cars?

So are they going to switch to making cars that don't appeal to enthusiasts?

I think it's fair to say he's referring to "manual" enthusiasts.

A call to your dealer will confirm interest in Manual New Vantage is lower than whale st, sadly.

[Piston Ted]

Beckson said:

Just wait until they announce a "final v12" or really start pushing chassis sharing with MB products.

The sad reality is, that I don't understand how Ferrari, Lambo, AM, etc will have a place in a 100% electrified future. I mean really, whats the point ? Once it gets to that.

Exactly this. It all just seems a waste of time really. Any character or differences that currently exist between these makers will be completely lost once this electric thing really kicks off.

I get all of the people saying that this new arrangement is necessary for Aston to survive but the interview with Moers doesn’t inspire me at all, in fact the opposite - pretty much everything he said depresses me. Sad times ahead.

[Beckson]

Time to find a manual prior gen DBS or manual V12V and hold onto it ....

Wish I had been in the position to order a new 2012 DBS volante manual.

Or if AM become more like Maybach hopefully doesn't mean basically a rebody/retrim of a SL or AMG gt

Edited by Beckson on Friday 14th May 20:49

[Jon39]

bogie said:

The data accuracy here depends on what the dealer registered the car as on the V5 but does not seem to be significantly more of either gearbox depending on variant

Your post reminded me to look again at the DVLA stats.
After waiting a long time, I now see that the 2020 Q4 figures have been published.
Trying to analyse using a tablet is hopeless, so will wait until back at my PC.
The DVLA use the term Auto for DB11 and the VH Vantage (technically incorrect, but helpful this time).
They also show sub models eg N430 split manual and auto. Data goes back to 2001 Q1.

As always, the point is this is UK only.

I did note 2020 new registrations for;
DBX ...................... Q3 = 68; Q4 = 106
Vantage ............... Q3 = 35; Q4 = 34
Vantage Roadster Q4 = 10

[macdeb]

Minglar said:

AdamV12V said:

Seems they just want the fickle buyers who want the newest shiny trendy car to have, and want to turn those buyers over on a zero equity PC deal, so they keep coming back on the proviso they have developed a new shiny "must have" by the time their PCP runs out.

Edited by AdamV12V on Friday 14th May 19:32

Can’t disagree with you at all Adam. It’s sad to hear the comments regarding the manual as the “official” AM line now. We have known for a long time that the existing client base isn’t really the new target audience. Your comment I’ve highlighted above is exactly what has happened to Mercedes Benz over the last ten or fifteen years. A once premium, relatively rare and solidly built offering is now common place as the market has been saturated with a plethora of new models and cheap affordable finance deals, which get rolled every two or three years. Perhaps that’s what AM wants now? The more I read all of this stuff the more I think I may as well just keep my current car until I’m no longer allowed to drive it. Sad times but that’s the way of the world now.

Best Regards

Minglar

^^^^ sad times.

[AstonV]

Piston Ted said:

Beckson said:

Just wait until they announce a "final v12" or really start pushing chassis sharing with MB products.

The sad reality is, that I don't understand how Ferrari, Lambo, AM, etc will have a place in a 100% electrified future. I mean really, whats the point ? Once it gets to that.

Exactly this. It all just seems a waste of time really. Any character or differences that currently exist between these makers will be completely lost once this electric thing really kicks off.

I get all of the people saying that this new arrangement is necessary for Aston to survive but the interview with Moers doesn’t inspire me at all, in fact the opposite - pretty much everything he said depresses me. Sad times ahead.

V12 already being killed off.

https://autos.yahoo.com/aston-martin-boss-plans-sa...