WOHOO!! Haha..

True..but waiting for head bolts, parts guys thought I'd just reuse them..hehe so the green man in a green truck comes tmr at 11:00am .. ..this should be my new sig

 

I purposely made the comment about "compensating" to rattle a few feathers.
I'm tired of guys on every site from just about every make turning the enthusiast world into a chase for power.
Where I live, I can't exercize the full capabilities of any car....let alone a plus 500 hp supercar. The roads are too congested and even late at nite cops are out looking for speed burners.
No sport luxury car I owned would see a track so super power is not something I place above all.
Some of my enthusiast friends ruined our car club with an insane competition for power. Eventually it became the center of the club. It caused dissention, envy, and harsh words. Thing is, almost none of them ever tracked their car. So why the chase for power? I never understood it. I became to realize that most were in competion with each other and life itself.
I enjoy making a car look good and handle well. I want enough power to leave traffic in the dust but by no means am I trying to win a race.
When i want competion, I play basketball or tennis. When I want great sex I go to my pretty wife. When I want friendship I hang out with my kids or other friends who are not car enthusiasts.
Nothing wrong with the current Astons in my book. They look great and go way faster than the average car. It's their look that attracts me most. The power thay have is gravy. So no, I don't understand chasing bigger power. For what purpose?

 

Well eyes are on the new Vanquish..not a do-or-die kinda thing..but just shows there was improvement with what AM already had, Dr Bez believes this and has said over and over again.. just took a load of time...an amazing company and amazing brand to work on/for..brand is unique, heck clients are even different(in a good way )..

I see a lot of ppl comparing AM's to Porsche, but to me and only my opinion Porsche just hit things perfect right of the box with the 911..look at the 1963 911 and todays 911..sure it's not the same chassis..but they just improved on the same design over and over again and kept the same look, they dont want to make things look like they changed things up otherwise they might scare away there current clients..look a the Cayenne, you know how much sales went up for Land Rover when the Cayenne new look came out recently..the Range Rover hasn't changed much since 2003..newer powertrains and facelifts..once you find something that works, thats when you dump the cash into it..just what Porsche did since 1963 with the 911..

AM has been fighting funding since the stone age, Ford took them on and remodeled EVERYTHING..Ford got AM onto the VH platform and used a lot of Ford sources like Volvo to update its tech goodies(not the greatest but better than a GM or Ford radio at the time). Untill only recently the retraints have been pulled off a bit for AM to development..it's a slow start but I do see some changes for the better happening in 2013 onwards..hense the new slogan is "a new era"

All this starts with the new Vanquish..seen a large amount of video's and this thing is a beast with a techsavy interior.. the techsavy interior clients have been requesting so Am provided..from wifi hub ports, to a touch display center ski slope(like an iphone)..etc all for the techsavy ppl..and for the Mo-Power car guys this thing just BURNS a DBS in a straight pull and on the track..awesome video's, if I could I'd show them but I can't..

Even the Vantage has come a long way..drive a 4.3L ASM or even a 4.7L ASM and then test drive a new Vantage 7-speed..OMG night and day in drive and handling...my own opinion, I hated the ASM 6-speed when driving them..now I love driving the 7-speed in the Vantage S..I can go the distance and say I like driving the Vantage S 7-speed better than a V12V or DBS..LoL then again I just got out of a V8VS 5mins ago..spinecho's gonna show up with his V12V and I'm prob gonna eat my words on that comment..but till then ..

 

As a car, as a product, I LOVE my V12V because it's last of the breed. It's the evolutionary end of that kind of car, engine, transmission etc.

But if it was my company I would be afraid for the future and be looking for a suitor with deep pockets. The cars, even the Vanquish feels quaint compared to where competitors are going. We don't want to be them, but we can't avoid where the industry is going.

They have to be the ONLY manufacturer in their segment that lacks a car that is cutting edge in any of these technologies: KERS unit, hybrid, double clutch (a good one), active suspension, active aerodynamics, forced induction etc. Im not saying they have to do all of these, but they aren't doing any of these in a best in class way). These things are happening with other brands because they are trying to solve engineering problems and propel their brands. Is it really believable that Aston is facing none of the pressures that othe 150k+ brands do?

And the worst part is there is no reason the brand and cars could not embrace the future. We want a car that is lighter, faster, more efficient, safer, more comfortable and more agile. All of this would not compromise the Aston experience, but it might guarantee it a future.

I actually think Aston is such a strong marque, with so much character that they could bring a unique POV to the future, they know it's not about just the numbers. It's about the experience.

 

Time for a little edumacation!

I thought the Vantage was all those things. I know it's a little heavy for its size but I thought the 12 cylinder model had the power to compensate for the weight. I've heard the Vantage had excellent handling to go with the power. Is all of this incorrect?

 

It is correct.

In fact I had it at the track on Monday. But, I do wish it went on a diet and it's 6.0 motor makes less power than the 5.2 liter V10 in my R8.

I would love it even more if it had a carbon tub etc. These things will make the car a better drive, not just faster.

I love it because it feels raw, relative to a 991 or the R8. My V12V is sublime, but I don't see this platform being competitive five years from now. It will always be one of the greatest cars ever built, but they can't just keep building it over and over.
I want the next evolution of that car.

Aston builds emotion and desire better than almost every other brand in the world. That's the hard part.

 

Should Aston Martin spend more on technology development?

Yes. Absolutely. We are way behind in this area. My dream come true for the brand would be a partnership with BMW where AM could leverage some of their tech like the HUD, transmissions, and interior electronics. That car would be superb.

There are a lot of things I like about my AM but I often feel like I'm being forced to make compromises that really should not exist at this price point. I don't like having to make excuses for AM having outdated technology . . .

Is too much being spent on marketing efforts instead of engines, transmissions, interior upgrades?

I don't really think that marketing spend is diluting their R&D or production spend. This does not seem to be an overly marketed brand and I think a lot of their marketing is likely very inexpensive (compared to other marques). Almost zero ad space, lots on youtube (which is free other than production cost), etc.

Is there a need for new breakthrough designs to carry forward from the Vantage and the DB9?

There is a need for bold, risk taking design. The Vantage and DBXs are soooo beautiful, very difficult to improve upon. I love the One-77 also. But I'd love to see some real courage from AM with design . . . craft something else that is gorgeous and people will come.

As we all look at the marque, what is the key thing that will take it to the next level? If you were CEO of Aston Martin how would you focus the companies resources?

Next gen design and technology.

Regarding the HP discussion that always comes up. Personally, I could care less about more HP. The car probably has plenty for 99% of people. The biggest performance changes I would love to see are a torque peak that comes on much earlier in the rev range, variable suspension throughout the range, brakes with a bit better bite and brake feel, and a car that drives a bit lighter (maybe this is a steering thing).

 

Look guys, bottom line is when new gens come out,
The new gen has more HP. The DBS has excellent handling with Adaptive Suspension, and the design is top notch.
I still think in order to keep up, HP is a must. I hate to think in real world comparison that my 2008 M5 with 500 hp keeps up with my 2009 DBS. This makes no sense when Aston clearly has the capability to modify the 6 liter engine to make 750 HP as it did with the 177.
Come on Aston, don't hold back.

 

As cars become more advanced and laden with gadgets, they are increasingly less about every day driving. Maybe this is a good thing, as forces conspire daily to squeeze all enjoyment out of driving. If you are not sitting in traffic, you are paying the price at the pump for raping our planet, or afraid to enjoy an empty road lest you be asked by government to open your wallet again. And since driving has long been viewed a god-given right, no matter how poorly you do it (especially in North America), why not continue to take the challenge and skill out of the equation?

Don't get me wrong - advances in fuel economy, transmission tech etc. are great. But the current, ridiculous surplus of power and ease of access is disturbing, given the general level of driving skill and courtesy. ice350 has it right. A lot of run of the mill cars now have more performance than can ever be used sanely on the road, never mind sports or luxury cars. So most of the time, assuming people retain their sanity, it's more about bragging rights than ever before, and less about even coming close to exploring the depths of performance potential.

But none of the above ranting matters, sadly. People want (or the media and the manufacturers tell them they need) the latest gadgets and tech. So Aston will have to step up to the plate, or it will at best, repeat its history, or at worst, die an ignominious death. IMO this requires a big brother - I don't think independent manufacturers, at least at Aston's size, are tenable any longer in this world.

 

I don't think that much is even required. Again, it appears they could get more out of the current engines with some minor modifications. For example, they could have done better than 565 bhp for the new Vanquish. They were talking about 600 bhp from that engine several years ago. It seems like they aren't even trying.

Agree. To pretend that Aston is "above" the other marques and doesn't need to have horsepower that is in the ballpark of those marques sounds like an excuse to me.

The current power levels of cars is disturbing to you? Really? Maybe these types of cars are not for you then. I think it's fantastic. I'm glad to live in a time when car companies are back in pursuit of better and better performance. Think back to the 70s and 80s when car manufacturers would boast that their cars have over 200 bhp. Given a choice between that and now when even sedans have over 500 bhp, I'll take now.

 

That's a nice example of selective quoting, Racer. By leaving out the last part of the sentence: "given the general level of driving skill and courtesy", you conveniently remove the context of my statement, in order to serve you interest. You must be journalist, or maybe a politician ;-)

But you are quite right: the latest crop of 600-700 hp+ cars are not for me. Too much power for the road, too much power and way too much weight for the track... never mind the price tag LOL. Performance is not all about power. IMO, manufacturers should focus more on reducing weight.

 

Its this statement right here...

The increase in power has been largely to accomodate for the GIGANTIC increase in weight across most manufacturers. The cars would be considerably faster and more aggressive with 1,000 lbs less weight. Maybe whats needed is a super light weight (relatively speaking) version with a tuned setup for intake, exhaust and ECU remaps to take advantage of the revised system.

I'd love to see lighter cars in the future with the same hp so to speak, watching the performance increases realized.

 

I agree that weight reduction would be nice. Problem is, luxury tends to be heavy and lightweight materials to balance out the luxury tend to be expensive.

 

Nothing trips me out more than to see some older, grandpa looking gentleman driving an AMG like he is afraid of the car. I wonder why they buy something they don't need and can't handle. That is power that will never be used and money wasted.

I mentioned our local car club previously....on Friday nights all the horsepower freaks would get togather and head out on I75 toward the east coast of Florida. They would meet at a truck stop and race. The next day the forum would be full of stories about who killed whom. Eventually the cops got wise and ended the weekly gathering. WHile it was going on it became the focus of the club. Guys trying to out-power eash other to win a truck stop race???!!! Blowing up their engines and trannies for a truck stop race??? Crashing their cars for a truck stop race???
They seemed to enjoy themselves and I don't begrudge their chosen activity for enjoyment. What bothered me was the rifts that were created among the group. The cliques, the choosing of sides.
When I was their age I would be with a girl on a Friday nite. Some of these guys don't even sniff girls. I would ask why they weren't out with a date and get blank stares. It seemed their entire existence revolved around modifying their car.

So I'll say it again, maybe I can't relate to the singular desire for power. When I did race as a youth it was my driving skill and bravado that made me win challenges more than anything. But I didn't consume my life with that stuff. I like girls and sports more than I like cars.

Back to topic, if Aston wants to keep up with the Joneses and give their cars 700 hp and it can be done as economically as possible, I'm not gonna complain. I just don't believe having the most power should be a goal. Lambo seems to be the power king. Ferrari seems to want to build the best drivers car. Aston seemed to be focued on the best GT cars. I got no problem with any of this.

 

^^^ I think I know some of those guys...I believe their names were Dominic Torreto and Johnny Tran...!

Oh and don't leave Porsche out of your list there....they have been making the best drivers car since 1963 - the unlimate drivers car....the 911.