CEO Talks Future Plans
Discussion
https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1134901_aston-...
Some interesting details in this article about plug-in hybrid models.
When Mercedes introduced plug-in hybrid versions of their C and E-Class cars, the boot capacity was considerably reduced, due to a huge step in the boot floor (hybrid batteries). The subsequent C-Class launched last year improved on that disadvantage, and now has a slightly raised flat boot floor, with less of a loss of luggage capacity compared to the non-hybrid versions.
With a sports cars, this aspect presumably will be more difficult to deal with, because the normal boot capacity would usually be less than a saloon to start with, so hybrid batteries would further reduce the luggage carrying ability.
Edited by Jon39 on Thursday 3rd February 08:08
At 6.1kw capacity they might as well not bother.
With such a weighty car I'd guess 350wh / mile which = 17 miles pure EV range.... Its nice for a company car tax break I guess.... how many people will plug it in?
A YT clip posted recently saw a company retro fitting their 200kw cell to a model S. The result was over 700 miles (1200kw) on one charge. That's an option AM need.
With such a weighty car I'd guess 350wh / mile which = 17 miles pure EV range.... Its nice for a company car tax break I guess.... how many people will plug it in?
A YT clip posted recently saw a company retro fitting their 200kw cell to a model S. The result was over 700 miles (1200kw) on one charge. That's an option AM need.
Edited by dbs2000 on Thursday 3rd February 10:37
dbs2000 said:
At 6.1kw capacity they might as well not bother.
With such a weighty car I'd guess 350wh / mile which = 17 miles pure EV range.... Its nice for a company car tax break I guess.... how many people will plug it in?
With such a weighty car I'd guess 350wh / mile which = 17 miles pure EV range.... Its nice for a company car tax break I guess.... how many people will plug it in?
I can remember Ohm's Law and occasionally use my multimeter, but have not yet understood much about electric cars.
Only watched about 10 minutes of a Formula E race, before switching off. Perhaps I will become a convert, but at present any fully electric car does not excite me.
Ref. the driving range of hybrids.
Mercedes range has been about 30 miles, but their recently introduced models are now up to about 60 miles.
I suppose that is enough for many motorists local trips, then the IC engine is always available if required.
It is said that the latest M-B hybrids are unusual, in having the ability to fast charge. I don't know whether that is a special feature.
Can apparently fully charge overnight (think needs 5 hours) from a domestic socket.
Jon39 said:
I can remember Ohm's Law and occasionally use my multimeter, but have not yet understood much about electric cars.
Only watched about 10 minutes of a Formula E race, before switching off. Perhaps I will become a convert, but at present any fully electric car does not excite me.
Ref. the driving range of hybrids.
Mercedes range has been about 30 miles, but their recently introduced models are now up to about 60 miles.
I suppose that is enough for many motorists local trips, then the IC engine is always available if required.
It is said that the latest M-B hybrids are unusual, in having the ability to fast charge. I don't know whether that is a special feature.
Can apparently fully charge overnight (think needs 5 hours) from a domestic socket.
A 13a cable on the Model 3 will add about 11 miles per hours (I'm at my parents in Wales and its currently running on a domestic plug in prep for our return to the Netherlands tomorrow), so 5 hours for the 6kw battery is probably about there. Maybe it supports 50kw from a public unit too?
AM obviously need to be doing something with hybrids, it is the world we live in and the way forward, sadly might I add for sports cars. I would consider a pure EV DBX and I imagine many others would too. I have absolutely no idea though (other than the company car tax break) if hybrids would be all that interesting to the public.
dbs2000 said:
..... I have absolutely no idea though (other than the company car tax break) if hybrids would be all that interesting to the public.
Thank you for your explanation.
Mercedes now seem to be using 25.4 kWh batteries, a little higher than the example you gave, and it seems to equate to about 100km for quite heavy cars.
My reason for first putting a 'toe in the water' via hybrid, is me imagining that charging chaos might occur here, when the EV changover really starts to gather momentum. I am probably not alone thinking that in the UK.
Perhaps it might be different in the Netherlands with a 17 million population, but as you will know, at present there are 36 million cars and light goods vehicles registered in the UK (only 370,000 EVs so far), with a probable 3 or 5 year sequence of replacement.
There are also millions of people living here without any off-street parking, so they would therefore be wholly reliant upon perhaps too few public chargers. Power stations are being closed and although there is continual talk about nuclear boosting generation capacity, little action seems to take place. Windmill and solar power is obvuiosly increasing, but an intermittent form of supply.
I would be very happy if this enormous change goes smoothly, but the insurance of having a spare IC under the bonnet, should keep my blood pressure down!
Have a good journey home. Do you carry a flashing beacon with you?
As you will have seen, the UK is steadily removing many hard shoulders from busy motorways. These were originally named 'Smart Motorways'. After deaths occurred, the government said no more smart motorways would be constructed. Work is still going on though in exactly the same way, but the roads are now called 'Digital Motorways' (so no more smart motorways!). Even if the gantry signs are changed promptly, to warn of a stranded vehicle, hundreds of vehicles would have already passed that sign board before it was changed.
Edited by Jon39 on Thursday 3rd February 14:06
Jon39 said:
Thank you for your explanation.
Mercedes now seem to be using 25.4 kWh batteries, a little higher than the example you gave, and it seems to equate to about 100km for quite heavy cars.
25.4kw would mean about 100kg of battery at todays exchange of 250wh / kg, yet the AMG pack is 89kg.... (edit: saw a clip on youtube, that weight contains a heatpump and other gubbins)
Jon39 said:
My reason for first putting a 'toe in the water' via hybrid, is me imagining that charging chaos might occur here, when the EV changover really starts to gather momentum. I am probably not alone thinking that in the UK.
Perhaps it might be different in the Netherlands with a 17 million population, but as you will know, at present there are 36 million cars and light goods vehicles registered in the UK (only 370,000 EVs so far), with a probable 3 or 5 year sequence of replacement.
There are also millions of people living here without any off-street parking, so they would therefore be wholly reliant upon perhaps too few public chargers. Power stations are being closed and although there is continual talk about nuclear boosting generation capacity, little action seems to take place. Windmill and solar power is obvuiosly increasing, but an intermittent form of supply.
I would be very happy if this enormous change goes smoothly, but the insurance of having a spare IC under the bonnet, should keep my blood pressure down!
Have a good journey home. Do you carry a flashing beacon with you?
As you will have seen, the UK is steadily removing many hard shoulders from busy motorways. These were originally named 'Smart Motorways'. After deaths occurred, the government said no more smart motorways would be constructed. Work is still going on though in exactly the same way, but the roads are now called 'Digital Motorways' (so no more smart motorways!). Even if the gantry signs are changed promptly, to warn of a stranded vehicle, hundreds of vehicles would have already passed that sign board before it was changed.
There will be some chaos during the change over, its change after all. The 200kw battery pack in a standard model S is an example of quickly things are moving, they've doubled the pack power into a standard format. We'll be seeing solid state soon, one Chinese company claims to have cracked it, that will see charging times cut in half. This will be a long slow transition though, fuel won't vanish over night. HGV's to hydrogen ("that'll be my sons work" as my brother in law puts it owning 20+ HGVs) and lets not forget Porsche who are working on synth fuel, that might keep our noisy olde bangers alive! It an interesting time that's for sure.Perhaps it might be different in the Netherlands with a 17 million population, but as you will know, at present there are 36 million cars and light goods vehicles registered in the UK (only 370,000 EVs so far), with a probable 3 or 5 year sequence of replacement.
There are also millions of people living here without any off-street parking, so they would therefore be wholly reliant upon perhaps too few public chargers. Power stations are being closed and although there is continual talk about nuclear boosting generation capacity, little action seems to take place. Windmill and solar power is obvuiosly increasing, but an intermittent form of supply.
I would be very happy if this enormous change goes smoothly, but the insurance of having a spare IC under the bonnet, should keep my blood pressure down!
Have a good journey home. Do you carry a flashing beacon with you?
As you will have seen, the UK is steadily removing many hard shoulders from busy motorways. These were originally named 'Smart Motorways'. After deaths occurred, the government said no more smart motorways would be constructed. Work is still going on though in exactly the same way, but the roads are now called 'Digital Motorways' (so no more smart motorways!). Even if the gantry signs are changed promptly, to warn of a stranded vehicle, hundreds of vehicles would have already passed that sign board before it was changed.
Over in NL there is definitely a move towards cars you just hire when you need them. We toyed with the idea of adding another car for swmbo's GP training that starts soon, as it turns out, the practice she'll be based at is next to a station and we found a company that rents a small car @ 25e / day + 18c /km if she needs a car 3 or 4 days of the month... much cheaper than any lease.
I think the bigger thing with moving to EVs is just quite how the governments get their hands on our taxes if we're charging from home solar? They'll find a way of course.
I've seen the changes with the motorways over here. No flashing beacon as such yet. I don't recall being without a hard shoulder on the way over but we did arrive in Hull and drove via Manchester. I'm not sure if the roads there are quite as busy as the M25 / 40 / 42 etc so maybe not quite as smart
Edited by dbs2000 on Thursday 3rd February 15:19
Seems AMG is developing new state of the art electric motors..., it might be not as exciting as a new bespoke V8, but we are forced to deal with the new green idea of automotive engineering
Many industry experts believe that efficiency gains made to EVs over the coming years will come just as much through developments in motor and power electronics as they will through advanced new battery packs. Indeed, car manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz and Renault believe the future of electric motors is axial flux technology, just like many expect solid-state tech to become the future of battery packs.
“The electric motor is not a commodity,” Mercedes-Benz said last year. “It’s a fast-developing technology where innovation and expertise will drive performance and differentiation.” The German car manufacturer has already confirmed that EVs from the AMG brand will use advanced axial flux motors developed in-house.
https://www.carscoops.com/2022/02/new-electric-mot...
Many industry experts believe that efficiency gains made to EVs over the coming years will come just as much through developments in motor and power electronics as they will through advanced new battery packs. Indeed, car manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz and Renault believe the future of electric motors is axial flux technology, just like many expect solid-state tech to become the future of battery packs.
“The electric motor is not a commodity,” Mercedes-Benz said last year. “It’s a fast-developing technology where innovation and expertise will drive performance and differentiation.” The German car manufacturer has already confirmed that EVs from the AMG brand will use advanced axial flux motors developed in-house.
https://www.carscoops.com/2022/02/new-electric-mot...
'A "next level sports car" is coming from Aston Martin next year, likely meaning a version of one of the current DB11-based models. Moers said this car will kick off the connected car era for the automaker and launch its new infotainment system which is being designed in house. Aston Martin currently uses Mercedes-Benz's last-gen infotainment system with a touchpad.'
Wonder what the background to this decision might be?
Could perhaps M-B have refused to supply their very latest MBUX infotainment and car control system ?
Is it quite a risk for AML to design an infotainment system from scratch?
We are used to seeing most computer systems developed progressively, gradually through various improved release versions.
Jon39 said:
'A "next level sports car" is coming from Aston Martin next year, likely meaning a version of one of the current DB11-based models. Moers said this car will kick off the connected car era for the automaker and launch its new infotainment system which is being designed in house. Aston Martin currently uses Mercedes-Benz's last-gen infotainment system with a touchpad.'
Wonder what the background to this decision might be?
Could perhaps M-B have refused to supply their very latest MBUX infotainment and car control system ?
Is it quite a risk for AML to design an infotainment system from scratch?
We are used to seeing most computer systems developed progressively, gradually through various improved release versions.
Speedraser said:
Jon, I know you haven't forgotten. It's because Moers explicitly stated that infotainment is the "key" differentiator -- it's what will set "Astons" apart from Benzes. Shared engines and platforms, no problem. But share infotainment? Heaven forbid!
Just here to read your reply :-)Jon39 said:
'A "next level sports car" is coming from Aston Martin next year, likely meaning a version of one of the current DB11-based models. Moers said this car will kick off the connected car era for the automaker and launch its new infotainment system which is being designed in house. Aston Martin currently uses Mercedes-Benz's last-gen infotainment system with a touchpad.'
Wonder what the background to this decision might be?
Could perhaps M-B have refused to supply their very latest MBUX infotainment and car control system ?
Is it quite a risk for AML to design an infotainment system from scratch?
We are used to seeing most computer systems developed progressively, gradually through various improved release versions.
You can hack Android to run on an iPhone, its just software on 'common' hardware
Jon39 said:
Power stations are being closed and although there is continual talk about nuclear boosting generation capacity, little action seems to take place.
Edited by Jon39 on Thursday 3rd February 14:06
TarquinMX5 said:
Jon39 said:
Power stations are being closed and although there is continual talk about nuclear boosting generation capacity, little action seems to take place.
Edited by Jon39 on Thursday 3rd February 14:06
If you will excuse one of my jokes.
They do hope to instigate a full, comprehensive and entirely independent review, into the whole power generation subject.
It will include every sustainable 'net zero' possible.
However, the politicians are all rather busy at present, attending courses about how not to answer interviewers questions.
It does require skill and training, to give the impression a question has been answered, even though the answer was actually to a completely unrelated question.
The courses now include an additional module - Being interviewed by Mr. Nick Ferrari, who keeps asking awkward questions involving numbers, where he already knows the answers. Politicians are fed up being made to look fools by him, when they stumble over the answer. This week one politician was asked how many employees are in her department. She answered 10,000. Apparently the figure is 1,365. - Well approximately right !
Neil1300r said:
Jon39 said:
'A "next level sports car" is coming from Aston Martin next year, likely meaning a version of one of the current DB11-based models. Moers said this car will kick off the connected car era for the automaker and launch its new infotainment system which is being designed in house. Aston Martin currently uses Mercedes-Benz's last-gen infotainment system with a touchpad.'
Wonder what the background to this decision might be?
Could perhaps M-B have refused to supply their very latest MBUX infotainment and car control system ?
Is it quite a risk for AML to design an infotainment system from scratch?
We are used to seeing most computer systems developed progressively, gradually through various improved release versions.
You can hack Android to run on an iPhone, its just software on 'common' hardware
Speedraser said:
Jon39 said:
'A "next level sports car" is coming from Aston Martin next year, likely meaning a version of one of the current DB11-based models. Moers said this car will kick off the connected car era for the automaker and launch its new infotainment system which is being designed in house. Aston Martin currently uses Mercedes-Benz's last-gen infotainment system with a touchpad.'
Wonder what the background to this decision might be?
Could perhaps M-B have refused to supply their very latest MBUX infotainment and car control system ?
Is it quite a risk for AML to design an infotainment system from scratch?
We are used to seeing most computer systems developed progressively, gradually through various improved release versions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZERPB1nNyNQ
I'm sure that we all have more important fish to fry than snipe at each other over engines, especially very good engines.
Moers like everyone else at the top of the automotive industry has got to talk the politically correct e-talk to satisfy his masters and ultimately the politicians. What is the truth here, for all the brave talk? In the end, it's all just hot air, and there is going to be a violent relity check at some point.
Unless NATO invades Kazakh or somewhere similar, we can't afford to buy oil.
Current BEV's don't have the range for high mileage users
Current BEV's are in no sense environmentally friendly
BEV's / Hybrids are still a small minority choice - it may never get beyond that
Politicians are always ready to buy some plausible story they don't fully understand
The UK does not have the infrastructure to charge large numbers of BEV's
The UK does not have the generative capacity to charge large numbers of BEV's
If battery technology is going to solve all our problems it is a long way away
The USA have not and will not buy into this in scale
By the time they solve battery technology (and IMHO they as likely to solve perpetual motion) cars will be autonomous
They won't allow driver controlled cars onto roads with autonomous vehicles
Driving is basically being abolished
So what are we facing, a future where, by one means or another, we will not be allowed to travel at all? Are they hoping that kids won't be interested in this kind of stuff, or indeed travel? I think that they are wrong. As I see it what we need to do is load up on all the ICE cars we can, use them for the rest of our lives, and then pass them on to our children. If that is the solution, there are far worse decisions than a DB11 V8. What is wrong with it? The interior could be less wacky, and that's about it. They are not selling many of them. That has been true of Aston Martin throughout history, yet without affecting the quality of the product and the ultimate stratospheric value of the car. The same will in my view be true of the DB11.
Do we need a 'next level sports car'? I would say not, unless you are talking about GMA with their fantastic Cosworth NA V12 engine and manual gearbox. That's the next level, not some infotainment system or some variation on electro-s
t. I wouldn't want one. I guess you might not. I would bet that Moers is as aware of that as we are. Any AM sportscar/GT with an AMG engine will always be a red-headed stepchild in the Aston world. Similar to the fate of the DB7 for its XJS underpinnings. You can see the future ads: “Here we have a V8 Vantage on offer; the Vantage with a real AM V8.” Do you want a DB9 with a V12 or a DB11 with non AM V8? No brainer for the collector world.
Judging the vehicles purely on handling dynamics and power delivery, it is absolutely my plan to change my DB9 GT for (unless I change my mind) a DB11 V8 this year. I have driven the DB11 V8 and was really blown away by the feeling of hurtling it down a twisty road.
I understand the appeal of having key components of the vehicle be AM-developed, rather than borrowed from a partner, but, for me, the dynamic proposition trumps that.
But then, my daily driver is a Tesla, and I rather enjoy it too. Sorry!
I understand the appeal of having key components of the vehicle be AM-developed, rather than borrowed from a partner, but, for me, the dynamic proposition trumps that.
But then, my daily driver is a Tesla, and I rather enjoy it too. Sorry!
ExecutiveAction said:
Speedraser said:
Jon39 said:
'A "next level sports car" is coming from Aston Martin next year, likely meaning a version of one of the current DB11-based models. Moers said this car will kick off the connected car era for the automaker and launch its new infotainment system which is being designed in house. Aston Martin currently uses Mercedes-Benz's last-gen infotainment system with a touchpad.'
Wonder what the background to this decision might be?
Could perhaps M-B have refused to supply their very latest MBUX infotainment and car control system ?
Is it quite a risk for AML to design an infotainment system from scratch?
We are used to seeing most computer systems developed progressively, gradually through various improved release versions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZERPB1nNyNQ
I'm sure that we all have more important fish to fry than snipe at each other over engines, especially very good engines.
Moers like everyone else at the top of the automotive industry has got to talk the politically correct e-talk to satisfy his masters and ultimately the politicians. What is the truth here, for all the brave talk? In the end, it's all just hot air, and there is going to be a violent relity check at some point.
Unless NATO invades Kazakh or somewhere similar, we can't afford to buy oil.
Current BEV's don't have the range for high mileage users
Current BEV's are in no sense environmentally friendly
BEV's / Hybrids are still a small minority choice - it may never get beyond that
Politicians are always ready to buy some plausible story they don't fully understand
The UK does not have the infrastructure to charge large numbers of BEV's
The UK does not have the generative capacity to charge large numbers of BEV's
If battery technology is going to solve all our problems it is a long way away
The USA have not and will not buy into this in scale
By the time they solve battery technology (and IMHO they as likely to solve perpetual motion) cars will be autonomous
They won't allow driver controlled cars onto roads with autonomous vehicles
Driving is basically being abolished
So what are we facing, a future where, by one means or another, we will not be allowed to travel at all? Are they hoping that kids won't be interested in this kind of stuff, or indeed travel? I think that they are wrong. As I see it what we need to do is load up on all the ICE cars we can, use them for the rest of our lives, and then pass them on to our children. If that is the solution, there are far worse decisions than a DB11 V8. What is wrong with it? The interior could be less wacky, and that's about it. They are not selling many of them. That has been true of Aston Martin throughout history, yet without affecting the quality of the product and the ultimate stratospheric value of the car. The same will in my view be true of the DB11.
Do we need a 'next level sports car'? I would say not, unless you are talking about GMA with their fantastic Cosworth NA V12 engine and manual gearbox. That's the next level, not some infotainment system or some variation on electro-s
t. I wouldn't want one. I guess you might not. I would bet that Moers is as aware of that as we are. It’s all BS as far as I’m concerned and not green at all. The government are trying to strong arm the public in to buying tech which will be out of date the second they buy it to pay for development (also not green).
It’s a strong nope from me. Can’t believe a word governments say after the last two years and I was sceptical before that.
If they really cared about being green they’d put the brakes on people buying stuff left right and centre and adding to the throw away society. But they won’t do that because of money. Follow the money. Always follow the money.
Edited by Finding Neutral on Saturday 5th February 18:40
ExecutiveAction said:
Speedraser said:
Jon39 said:
'A "next level sports car" is coming from Aston Martin next year, likely meaning a version of one of the current DB11-based models. Moers said this car will kick off the connected car era for the automaker and launch its new infotainment system which is being designed in house. Aston Martin currently uses Mercedes-Benz's last-gen infotainment system with a touchpad.'
Wonder what the background to this decision might be?
Could perhaps M-B have refused to supply their very latest MBUX infotainment and car control system ?
Is it quite a risk for AML to design an infotainment system from scratch?
We are used to seeing most computer systems developed progressively, gradually through various improved release versions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZERPB1nNyNQ
I'm sure that we all have more important fish to fry than snipe at each other over engines, especially very good engines.
Moers like everyone else at the top of the automotive industry has got to talk the politically correct e-talk to satisfy his masters and ultimately the politicians. What is the truth here, for all the brave talk? In the end, it's all just hot air, and there is going to be a violent relity check at some point.
Unless NATO invades Kazakh or somewhere similar, we can't afford to buy oil.
Current BEV's don't have the range for high mileage users
Current BEV's are in no sense environmentally friendly
BEV's / Hybrids are still a small minority choice - it may never get beyond that
Politicians are always ready to buy some plausible story they don't fully understand
The UK does not have the infrastructure to charge large numbers of BEV's
The UK does not have the generative capacity to charge large numbers of BEV's
If battery technology is going to solve all our problems it is a long way away
The USA have not and will not buy into this in scale
By the time they solve battery technology (and IMHO they as likely to solve perpetual motion) cars will be autonomous
They won't allow driver controlled cars onto roads with autonomous vehicles
Driving is basically being abolished
So what are we facing, a future where, by one means or another, we will not be allowed to travel at all? Are they hoping that kids won't be interested in this kind of stuff, or indeed travel? I think that they are wrong. As I see it what we need to do is load up on all the ICE cars we can, use them for the rest of our lives, and then pass them on to our children. If that is the solution, there are far worse decisions than a DB11 V8. What is wrong with it? The interior could be less wacky, and that's about it. They are not selling many of them. That has been true of Aston Martin throughout history, yet without affecting the quality of the product and the ultimate stratospheric value of the car. The same will in my view be true of the DB11.
Do we need a 'next level sports car'? I would say not, unless you are talking about GMA with their fantastic Cosworth NA V12 engine and manual gearbox. That's the next level, not some infotainment system or some variation on electro-s
t. I wouldn't want one. I guess you might not. I would bet that Moers is as aware of that as we are. I want to drive Aston Martins, and I bought my Astons to drive, not to collect. If I want to drive (or collect, for that matter) a car with an AMG engine (and they're great engines), I'll buy an AMG. I have ZERO interest in driving, owning or collecting an "Aston" that really isn't.
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff