AML's updated offerings

[Calinours]

Now we more or less have the complete new updated line up from AM (yes we still wait for the hybrid Valhalla - but it's going to be seriously pricey, not really a core car), and we can see how LS's strategy is playing out, it's possible now to step back and form a clear view on the job the engineering and design teams have done.

I remember thinking that AP's effort, launching the big V12 first and the AMG V8 engined variant (of the same car) later perhaps was a mistake. LS and co have certainly learned from this, reserving the biggest, most powerful and in house engine for their most special car (the new Vanquish). With that brilliant AMG V8 now so powerful, it certainly made little sense to offer anything else in the 'lesser' offerings (DB12 and Vantage). Fair play.

The revisions to all cars have all had laser focus on the perceived shortcomings of the AP cars. This really does show a commitment to listening to the customers, not just a desire to attract younger buyers or please one's mum.

The updated or new new Vantage got a frontal restyle, significantly improved interior and tech and significantly more power and improved ability to put said power to the road (diff, wheels/tyres, suspension) to help justify the price bump, the DB11 V8's evolution to DB12 got largely the same with likely reduced production cost. We lost the V12 from the core GT but it never sold as well as the V8 version anyway.

Miles and Marek have been given freer reign with the new 'halo' GT car, again called Vanquish (ignoring Valkyrie etc) with mixed reaction to parts of the styling, but it does have AM's own further boosted V12 with an enormous 1000Nm of torque and it is pretty well differentiated from the V8 engined cars.

The new interior tech appeared to have some early issues but these appear now largely addressed via software updates.

All in all a great job, credit to LS and the team. Pick of the bunch for me has to be the new new Vantage though

[bogie]

I agree, great job so far, clearly they have been listening to customer feedback. The new Vantage is pretty awesome, im looking forward to see the Roadster version...

[BenAstonV12]

Calinours said:

Now we more or less have the complete new updated line up from AM (yes we still wait for the hybrid Valhalla - but it's going to be seriously pricey, not really a core car), and we can see how LS's strategy is playing out, it's possible now to step back and form a clear view on the job the engineering and design teams have done.

....

Miles and Marek have been given freer reign with the new 'halo' GT car, again called Vanquish (ignoring Valkyrie etc) with mixed reaction to parts of the styling, but it does have AM's own further boosted V12 with an enormous 1000Nm of torque and it is pretty well differentiated from the V8 engined cars.

The new interior tech appeared to have some early issues but these appear now largely addressed via software updates.

All in all a great job, credit to LS and the team. Pick of the bunch for me has to be the new new Vantage though

Good summary Calinours.

Wishlist/predictions, given where we are, in the next 3 years?
A special/limited edition manual version of the Vantage? Is that possible?
And a stripped down, light weight Vantage, Porsche GT3 RS/GT2 RS competitor. Basically a road version of their Vantage race cars.
Likely a DBX 707 hybrid by 2026.
When is the next Bond film out, 2026? I'm sure they'll showcase a new car for that too...

[Calinours]

BenAstonV12 said:

Wishlist/predictions, given where we are, in the next 3 years?
A special/limited edition manual version of the Vantage? Is that possible?

It would be nice however I doubt it. They tried it last time and it failed to sell. It seems that manuals are not what the new buyers want, plus there may still be associated engine warranty/risk transfer issues.

And a stripped down, light weight Vantage, Porsche GT3 RS/GT2 RS competitor. Basically a road version of their Vantage race cars.

I'd suspect that this may soon be in the works - depending on sales success.

Likely a DBX 707 hybrid by 2026.

It seems likely if they want to continue to sell DBX in EU market in a few years. Some may hope for a DBX with that updated/boosted AE31 V12.

When is the next Bond film out, 2026? I'm sure they'll showcase a new car for that too...

There doesn't seem to be anything in the works, they don't even seem to have identified a new actor. Unless there is some sort of reaction to current trends, the new 007 will be non binary and drive a Prius...

At least AM listen to their customers

[krisdelta]

I think the new range is looking fantastic and a genuine evolution of the early VH era - which for me is the benchmark. Beautiful looking cars, fantastic noise and presence and feel great at 15mph. The DB11 always looks 80% better in the metal, but I still can't get my head around the '18-23 Vantage styling! DB12 would be my choice as it's not really any bigger than the Vantage. Although the room in the Vantage cabin seems far greater due to the config of the centre console.

[atrossity]

It's a very nice set of cars.

I had never owned an Aston Martin before my DB12. Personally, I was never a fan of the VH cars’ styling and so didn't have much interest in them. The DB11 and DBSS were the first AMs I really liked since the DB7, but only the exteriors – the interiors put me off (although at the prices they are currently going for, I wouldn't have been so picky - they are a bargain now).

I had been planning to get an F12 or 812 last year, but the DB12 launch convinced me otherwise. It really is a beautiful machine and a glorious GT. I'm very happy with mine. (There are still plenty of arguments to be had for getting a F12/812, but for me, the DB12 exterior+interior design, ability to configure one how I wanted, modern tech, new car warranty, and a leaning towards a GT were the deciding factors.)

Now that the new cars are all out (apart from Vantage Roadster and Vanquish Volante), I would like to see AM focus more on delivering software updates. I have not had the problems some people have had with their DB12s, but really, the software is still far from perfect and on the surface hasn't really changed much at all since I took delivery of mine in January. They put such lovely super-high-res OLED screens into the new cars and could be doing so much more with them imo. The needs and wants of customers are clearly documented in many comments on here as well as Facebook user groups etc. – Aston should listen.

As for special editions, I wouldn't be surprised to see a perhaps limited run of either V12 DB12s or Vantages at some point. If they weren't planning on an eventual V12 DB12 (DBV12?), then I don't think they'd have used the name. They would likely be priced closer to the Vanquish to keep the V12 value proposition at that level. Apart from that, AM will no doubt have other various minor special editions across the full range up their sleeve to keep the news cycles ticking (I just hope they avoid the whole 007 thing).

[quench]

atrossity said:

I had been planning to get an F12 or 812 last year, but the DB12 launch convinced me otherwise. It really is a beautiful machine and a glorious GT. I'm very happy with mine.

I would like to see AM focus more on delivering software updates.

Glad to hear you are happy with your DB12 - I think it is the pick of the current range, particularly from a styling point of view.

Those software updates you are looking for are probably subject to the same resource difficulties that have always plagued Aston or any other relatively low volume manufacturer.

[Simpo Two]

atrossity said:

(I just hope they avoid the whole 007 thing).

It is awfully cheesy, but we have to wonder where the brand would be now without that connection. Quite possibly long defunct.

[OLDBENZ]

If AM were looking to increase volume maybe consider a smaller Macan-sized DBX as an addition to the range. I think a lot of people in Europe are put off by the size of the DBX - in particular by its width and the problems that causes with parking spaces, width restriction bollards, B roads etc. I reckon a Macan-sized smaller sister would do rather well.

[kith]

OLDBENZ said:

If AM were looking to increase volume maybe consider a smaller Macan-sized DBX as an addition to the range. I think a lot of people in Europe are put off by the size of the DBX - in particular by its width and the problems that causes with parking spaces, width restriction bollards, B roads etc. I reckon a Macan-sized smaller sister would do rather well.

I think width is becoming an issue across the range, most reviews of the new Vantage mention how wide it is on the road.

[krisdelta]

OLDBENZ said:

If AM were looking to increase volume maybe consider a smaller Macan-sized DBX as an addition to the range. I think a lot of people in Europe are put off by the size of the DBX - in particular by its width and the problems that causes with parking spaces, width restriction bollards, B roads etc. I reckon a Macan-sized smaller sister would do rather well.

This is a good shout, Porsches best seller is the Macan, by a wide margin? I’d love to see AM thriving, not just surviving

[Simpo Two]

OLDBENZ said:

If AM were looking to increase volume maybe consider a smaller Macan-sized DBX as an addition to the range. I think a lot of people in Europe are put off by the size of the DBX - in particular by its width and the problems that causes with parking spaces, width restriction bollards, B roads etc. I reckon a Macan-sized smaller sister would do rather well.

But the world is full of SUVs. I would prefer to see an entry-level model, the position that the Gaydon Vantage occupied. But I suppose Mr Stroll only wants the megabucks stuff and 'only 100' limited editions.

[Calinours]

Simpo Two said:

OLDBENZ said:

I would prefer to see an entry-level model, the position that the Gaydon Vantage occupied. But I suppose Mr Stroll only wants the megabucks stuff and 'only 100' limited editions.

The new new Vantage remains the entry level model, just as before. If you look at the change in the value of money, the 2024- car is not really that much more expensive in real terms than a well specced 2005 Vantage. It is, however, a hell of a lot more car.... instead of an asthmatic n/a 4.3 with 300lb/ft and 380hp but only at 7000rpm you get nearly double that peak torque and power, a likely more than tripling of the 'area under the curve' and a proper supercar competing with (and according to some reports bettering) the equivalent 911 turbo S as opposed to one struggling to match the equivalent base Carrera/S.

Bravo AML - to me, Aston Martins should absolutely start where the Porkers stop

Edited by Calinours on Saturday 21st September 16:58

[Beckson]

You do wonder if something like the DB12 or Vanq would benefit from awd. Heard pretty good things about the new MB SL55 / 63 AMG, the awd certainly helps the GT elements and putting the power down

[Jay_Davis]

atrossity said:

Now that the new cars are all out (apart from Vantage Roadster and Vanquish Volante), I would like to see AM focus more on delivering software updates. I have not had the problems some people have had with their DB12s, but really, the software is still far from perfect and on the surface hasn't really changed much at all since I took delivery of mine in January. They put such lovely super-high-res OLED screens into the new cars and could be doing so much more with them imo. The needs and wants of customers are clearly documented in many comments on here as well as Facebook user groups etc. – Aston should listen.

100% agree with this. Even though it seems they have resolved the serious problems, it still needs some significant improvements. It seems like it has the potential to be a really good system, they need to put the effort (or talent) into doing so.

[Jon39]

Beckson said:

You do wonder if something like the DB12 or Vanq would benefit from awd. Heard pretty good things about the new MB SL55 / 63 AMG, the awd certainly helps the GT elements and putting the power down

I think I read that the new AMG GT, which might be the model that you are referring to, now has the transmission attached to the engine. Previously it has had the same configuration as Aston Martin sports cars, ie. rear transaxle.

Was that change made to facilitate a 4 wheel drive system ?
Presumably drive to the front wheels has to come from the transmission, not directly from the engine.

If that is how the engineering works, then it would involve big changes to the current AML design layout.

[karlsalnoske]

Jon39 said:

I think I read that the new AMG GT, which might be the model that you are referring to, now has the transmission attached to the engine. Previously it has had the same configuration as Aston Martin sports cars, ie. rear transaxle.

Was that change made to facilitate a 4 wheel drive system ?
Presumably drive to the front wheels has to come from the transmission, not directly from the engine.

If that is how the engineering works, then it would involve big changes to the current AML design layout.

Not to mention extra weight for a car that is already heavy in its class. I had an E65 AMG Mercedes with AWD and my DB12 is a better overall road car than the Mercedes. I wouldn’t do anything that would impact braking or handling.