The Future Of Aston Martin

[9eleventb0]

i was wondering if anyone had any info about future models or progressions for aston. i know about the amv8 and roadster concept and everything but i was hoping for some info along the lines of engine power upgades for the db9 and vanquish. i've heard that the vanquish is supposed to get a facelift around 2006 and may get 500-550hp, but i'd also like to know if anything is planned later on for the db9 (even though its just now coming out). i just feel that if aston can add about 100hp to their cars and allow their performance (at least in acceleration) to equal its rivals in the same price categories (db9 vs modena, gallardo, and 911 turbo; vanquish vs. murcielago and 575M), it will definitely attract more buyers........just my .02

[Westworld84]

Do you think that the db9 line was a good move in maintaining the exclusivity and image of Aston Martin? It's about $100K right? Do you see them going with a cheaper line at all?

[9eleventb0]

i think the db9 was definitely a good move because it gives aston a direct competitor against the continental gt. i don't think the db9 will ruin the exclusivity of the brand because the db7 was around the same price range and was still relatively rare. however, the amv8 which will compete with the porsche 911 will be about 100k......this new model may diminish the exclusivity of aston slightly, but not by too much.....hopefully the extra profits they make from the amv8 can be used to give the db9 and vanquish a little more punch

[atticusfinch]

Personally I feel the future of Aston Martin is very bright. The arrival of the V8 in 2005 will be a significant step in the history of the company but even after its introduction Aston Martin will still produce less cars in a year than Ferrari and I don't think anyone considers Ferraris anything but exclusive. After the V8 expect to see an update to the Vanquish. The DB9 will then get the Vantage treatment followed by the V8. Following that the Vanquish will be replaced. The Lagonda name may also resurface at some point, maybe within 5-10 years.

[Westworld84]

Originally Posted by atticusfinch

Personally I feel the future of Aston Martin is very bright. The arrival of the V8 in 2005 will be a significant step in the history of the company but even after its introduction Aston Martin will still produce less cars in a year than Ferrari and I don't think anyone considers Ferraris anything but exclusive. After the V8 expect to see an update to the Vanquish. The DB9 will then get the Vantage treatment followed by the V8. Following that the Vanquish will be replaced. The Lagonda name may also resurface at some point, maybe within 5-10 years.

Actually, wouldn't Aston Martin produce up to 5,000 cars a year, compare to Ferraris' about 4,000 per year. I'm kinda not caught up on Aston Martin's history, what is the Lagonda name about? So basically, the Vanquish is the top of the line, centerpiece to the AM line. The timeline would be would be to get that "madeover" would be about 2005? the DB9 just came out last year, and the V8 will come out in 2005.

[9eleventb0]

i also heard about the db9 getting the vantage upgrade to about 500hp......but the problem is by the time they do that, ferrari would have already replaced its 360 modena with a faster 430 or 420 modena and porsche would replace its current turbo with the 997 turbo.....somehow i feel that in terms of performance, aston will always be one step behind porsche, ferrari, and lamborghini........which is ok, because in exchange for some of the performance, aston offers a level of luxury, comfort, and quality unheard of in any of these other brands.....not to mention the sound of aston's v12 makes me drool....

[9eleventb0]

i also heard about the db9 getting the vantage upgrade to about 500hp......but the problem is by the time they do that, ferrari would have already replaced its 360 modena with a faster 430 or 420 modena and porsche would replace its current turbo with the 997 turbo.....somehow i feel that in terms of performance, aston will always be one step behind porsche, ferrari, and lamborghini........which is ok, because in exchange for some of the performance, aston offers a level of luxury, comfort, and quality unheard of in any of these other brands.....not to mention the sound of aston's v12 makes me drool....

[atticusfinch]

Originally Posted by Westworld84

Actually, wouldn't Aston Martin produce up to 5,000 cars a year, compare to Ferraris' about 4,000 per year. I'm kinda not caught up on Aston Martin's history, what is the Lagonda name about? So basically, the Vanquish is the top of the line, centerpiece to the AM line. The timeline would be would be to get that "madeover" would be about 2005? the DB9 just came out last year, and the V8 will come out in 2005.

I'm not sure what the exact production numbers will be for Aston Martin vs. Ferrari but I would still consider 5,000 units a pretty exclusive. How many cars does Bentley produce in a year?

The official name of the company is Aston Martin Lagonda Limited (although they have recently dropped the Lagonda name in publications, it is still the legal name however). Lagonda was a company that David Brown bought at the same time as Aston Martin. Without getting too much into the history, Lagondas have generally been 4-door luxury saloons. The last one going out of production in the early '90s. See this site for more information, http://freespace.virgin.net/roger.ivett/

I see the V8 coming out mid-2005. Vanquish facelift mid-2006. DB9 Vantage late 2006 or early 2007.

[Westworld84]

5,000 is still exclusive, no doubt. Is this worldwide, or for the US? I like to AM stick with these three lines, but maybe put alittle more personalization with each line.

[atticusfinch]

Originally Posted by Westworld84

5,000 is still exclusive, no doubt. Is this worldwide, or for the US? I like to AM stick with these three lines, but maybe put alittle more personalization with each line.

5,000 is total production worldwide. Aston Martin has always had an unlimited amount of personalization for all their models. You just have to cough up the dough.

[MITSU-EVO]

I believe the future of the Aston Martin looks very bright right now, unless something really bad happens. The company is on its way to be a real competitor for Ferrari in terms of sales.

[IceT]

Originally Posted by atticusfinch

5,000 is total production worldwide. Aston Martin has always had an unlimited amount of personalization for all their models. You just have to cough up the dough.

Well, they don't have an unlimited amount of personalization for al their models. I asked for a rain sensor for the DB9 and the back seat to be taken out like in the Vanquish, in which the back seat is optional. Both requests couldn't be honored.
Also I couldn't get massaging/ ventilating seats, TV tuner and heated steering wheel. All of them are standard in a Conti GT except the ventilating seats, massage function only and heated steering wheel which is a cost option.

[atticusfinch]

Sounds like there will be less personalization as they increase production. Too bad since it made everything more interesting.