DB12

[Calinours]

More info:

Definitely Merc V8 only.
Just under 700hp
£185k base. £220-230k properly optioned.
A twin screen, Aston Martin internally developed bespoke and all new infotainment system - unsure how accurate that will turn out to be?
A return to the waterfall centre console
Built to order only.
Revealed at Goodwood FoS and Monaco GP.

Production of the Aston V12 engine in Cologne has already been discontinued, as has production of DB11 and DBS. The only V12 Aston you can buy going forward is Valkyrie.

Edited by Calinours on Friday 21st April 10:47

[Simpo Two]

You have to chuckle at Aston's model naming.

We were told that 'DB10' was skipped because people would think it was a V10 (the fact that people had coped OK with the nine-cylinder DB9 and seven-cylinder DB7 was seemingly forgotten). Then they launched the DB11, which is either one cylinder short or three cylinders over depending on which model you buy. And then to cap it all, they finally get to 'DB12' - but don't put a V12 in it

[Ninja59]

Calinours said:

More info:

Definitely Merc V8 only.
Just under 700hp
£185k base. £220-230k properly optioned.
A twin screen, Aston Martin internally developed bespoke and all new infotainment system - unsure how accurate that will turn out to be?
A return to the waterfall centre console
Built to order only.
Revealed at Goodwood FoS and Monaco GP.

Production of the Aston V12 engine in Cologne has already been discontinued, as has production of DB11 and DBS. The only V12 Astons you can buy going forward are Valhalla/Valkyrie.

Valhalla is a V8?

[Calinours]

yes, correct it’s to be a V8 hybrid. Apologies for the schoolboy error, now corrected.

Edited by Calinours on Friday 21st April 10:48

[Ninja59]

Interesting the twin screen bit. They have said elsewhere developed in house, but I suspect somewhere MB systems behind the scenes.

I do think we may have seen a version of it in the Valkyrie in honesty.

[dbs2000]

Sounds an interesting spec. It’ll need to suffer some classic AM depreciation before many of us on here can get our hands on one at those prices

[nathwraith1]

I’ve cancelled my viewing and deposit today actually.

North of £200K is hard to justify as a toy for me.

I can’t see it being a more “fun” drive than my F1 vantage.

[GT3ZZZ]

Ninja59 said:

Interesting the twin screen bit. They have said elsewhere developed in house, but I suspect somewhere MB systems behind the scenes.

I do think we may have seen a version of it in the Valkyrie in honesty.

I believe it's the MBUX twin screen you'll find in the last A/C/E Class reskinned with some AM fonts and graphics.

[Simpo Two]

nathwraith1 said:

I’ve cancelled my viewing and deposit today actually.

North of £200K is hard to justify as a toy for me.

LS's plan to weed out most of his customers as being too poor is working

I was thinking that I could have five DB9s like mine for the price of a DB12.

[Calinours]

GT3ZZZ said:

Ninja59 said:

Interesting the twin screen bit. They have said elsewhere developed in house, but I suspect somewhere MB systems behind the scenes.

I do think we may have seen a version of it in the Valkyrie in honesty.

I believe it's the MBUX twin screen you'll find in the last A/C/E Class reskinned with some AM fonts and graphics.

Jeez. If that is true then the BS has truly been ratcheted to the max. The franchise dealer sales guy I spoke to, fresh back from his ‘refresher’ training was spouting that AML had gone out and “headhunted all the best people” from google, apple etc and locked them all in a room until they came up with the best and most modern system on the planet…. When I said “are you sure” he was adamant.

If it is actually a reskinned MB system, it spells trouble. Do they really think that their customers will not remember what they have been told/sold?

[Beckson]

Maybe a good portion don't care and will buy anyway.
The current gen Bentley Cont gt is generally pretty expensive with less depreciated vehicles available ( at least in US) than past gen. So who knows...
I do get tired of this BS approach to talking about future models, infotainment etc.

In the US you can easily find used DB11 Volantes for like 135K or so USD which is a pretty compelling value prop.

[LTP]

Beckson said:

I do get tired of this BS approach to talking about future models, infotainment etc.

That's because all Stroll understands is selling expensive suits and "brand". He has no idea that in the automotive world the product is what sells - he needs to go read some of Peter DeLorenzo's "Autoextremist" columns and his views on auto marketing, design and what he calls "the true believers" who try to make great products.

[Jon39]

Simpo Two said:

You have to chuckle at Aston's model naming.

We were told that 'DB10' was skipped because people would think it was a V10 (the fact that people had coped OK with the nine-cylinder DB9 and seven-cylinder DB7 was seemingly forgotten). Then they launched the DB11, which is either one cylinder short or three cylinders over depending on which model you buy. And then to cap it all, they finally get to 'DB12' - but don't put a V12 in it

Yes, it is being suggested that the name DB12 will be used, so it might be mistaken for having a V12 engine.

Sorry to have to mention, there is a DB10. A manual 4.7 V8V with different bodywork, driven by a fictional spy.

You were probably about to mention your own car.
The successor to the DB7, but strangely not named DB8 (supposedly) because it might be mistaken for having a V8 engine.

Looking at the positives, it appears there is rightful continued recognition for the man who contributed so much to AML.
It could be named after this (are you with me?)

[Minglar]

LTP said:

Beckson said:

I do get tired of this BS approach to talking about future models, infotainment etc.

That's because all Stroll understands is selling expensive suits and "brand". He has no idea that in the automotive world the product is what sells - he needs to go read some of Peter DeLorenzo's "Autoextremist" columns and his views on auto marketing, design and what he calls "the true believers" who try to make great products.

Exactly this. Spot on LTP. AML seem to have forgotten this crucial aspect at times. The competition is fierce and as I’ve said before let’s hope they get it right first time with this new model. It needs to be as close to the finished article as it can be at launch, not another fudge which needs fettling over a two or three year period. I am a little surprised at the quoted pricing. I fully expected the base price to start with a two in the U.K. As for twin screens from a Mercedes A Class etc, it’s bad enough with just one, so it will be interesting to see how they incorporate that. Personally, I wish they would use a “V” name rather than DB12. Built to order only? If you say so Lawrence.


Fingers crossed though. I won’t get a preview but I’m looking forward to the official reveal. Get ready to place your bets on the launch colour!


Best Regards

Minglar

[oilit]

I heard that LS thinks he can incorporate some tacky AM marketing to the new buyers - ie the yoof withe something along the lines of : The new Aston Martin DB12 is D’Biz

Ref colour, wonder if it will be a unique F1 green with a special launch edition and some F1 2023 podium stickers …..

In all seriousness, i hope it sells like proverbial hot cakes, and I am glad they have retained the DB naming convention and not been tempted to replace it with anything else (LS1).

Edited by oilit on Friday 21st April 10:30

[Simpo Two]

Jon39 said:

Sorry to have to mention, there is a DB10. A manual 4.7 V8V with different bodywork, driven by a fictional spy.

Indeed, but it's effectively fictional so doesn't count

I don't know the Lexus connection though.

[Jon39]

Simpo Two said:

Indeed, but it's effectively fictional so doesn't count

I don't know the Lexus connection though.

Lexus LS, now you get it.

DB 10 - Perhaps a coincidence, but 10 cars were built (underneath the skin is a [VH] V8 Vantage).


...................................................

( BATS starting to move. Patience and faith. On the AGM day this week, it was the top company of the FTSE 100 risers, with a single day increase over 3%.
2022 pre-tax profits were £9.324 billion and £6.9 billion was returned to shareholders through dividends and share buy-backs, so there is big money involved. Next div. is 3 May, the ex-div. was 23 March. )

[Calinours]

Aston Martins long tradition of having its own exclusive AML engine/s is at an end.

With the discontinuation of the spectacular and now, undeservedly short lived Aston Martin engine design number thirty-one (AE31) the twin turbo V12, the company are quietly bringing to an end decades of tradition of deep involvement in designing and developing their own exclusive powertrains.

It is a huge milestone, one that Andy Palmer, despite his mistakes, was determined to avoid. It is a point from which there is usually no return.

While I had no issues with using the MB tech and even MB engines in some models to make the range more accessible and sector competitive, the move to complete abandonment of any bespoke powertrain design and development did not have to be inevitable (no signs of Porsche, Ferrari et al going that way) - and I for one find it depressing.

It was heritage, history, a bit of Top Gear but above all a unique product (yes, always a little flawed, but always with bespoke/unique engines) that contributed hugely to making AML the coolest ‘brand’ in the world - I am curious to see what comes next.

Edited by Calinours on Friday 21st April 12:42

[Piston Ted]

Calinours said:

Aston Martins long tradition of having its own exclusively AML engine/s is at an end.

With the discontinuation of the spectacular and now, undeservedly short lived AML Engine design 31, the twin turbo V12, the company are quietly bringing to an end decades of tradition of deep involvement in designing and development their own exclusive powertrains.

It is a huge milestone, one that Andy Palmer, despite his mistakes, was determined to avoid. It is a point from which there is usually no return.

While I had no issues with using the MB tech and even MB engines in some models to make the range more accessible and sector competitive, the move to complete abandonment of any bespoke powertrain design and development did not have to be inevitable (no signs of Porsche, Ferrari et al going that way) - and I for one find it depressing.

It was heritage, history, a bit of Top Gear but above all a unique product (yes, always a little flawed, but always with bespoke/unique engines) that contributed hugely to making AML the coolest ‘brand’ in the world - I am curious to see what comes next.

A well written post and a very sad one at that, almost brought a tear to my eye whilst reading it. What a terrible shame the way things have played out - both for Aston Martin and the automotive world in general. But there we are, this is the way it’s going and that’s that.

[DMZ]

What's the reason for dropping the V12 does anyone know? The usual EUxxx compliance and the cost of getting it done presumably? You'd think it's a major USP gone in this era of doom and gloom and the reason why somebody would spend big on a GT.