What is Aston Martin doing? - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

LovinSL600 · 03-09-2005, 08:21 AM

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I just spent some time today looking at the pictures of the new Aston Martin Vantage V8.

Excuse me if I am missing something here but does this car not look exactly like a mini DB9? I would not be too happy if I were a DB9 owner. They talked so much about the exclusivity of the design of the new DB9 yet within one year a car shows up that basically looks the same but almost half the price.

Looks like the strategy of the Mercedes SL line. I thought if there was one criticism of the SL line it would be that they all look alike.

Does anyone see the logic here because I sure don't. [:0]

BrabusNYC · 03-09-2005, 10:29 AM

Yeah the Aston Martin is just a glorified Jaguar anyway they are a big waste of money. The only cool Aston is the Vanquish and it only comes in coupe.

carlosfernandeznadal · 03-09-2005, 01:50 PM

How hard you words sound. Aston are good but I understand that for the money I expect more technological advances like we have in the MB.

brown klister · 03-09-2005, 06:51 PM

I think the Aston Martins are all essentially born of one idea - drawing on the DNA of the DB4.

Here's my marketing bent on the Aston Martin line-up. The Vanquish is the car the company really wants to build but it's too much for most people so they offer the DB9 which is very similar but if you check the reviews, you'll see that DB9 is more of a cruiser than the Vanquish, which is more of an enthusiast's car. Think of the Vanquish as the AMG version of a DB9.

The Vantage is probably closer to the DB4 in terms of size and comparative handling. It is a sports car while the DB9 and Vanquish are Grand Touring (GT) automobiles. It will handle better but the ride may be less refined than the Vanquish and probaly even less so than the DB9. It probably also won't have quite the level of interior luxury of the Vanquish or the DB9.

I think one can consider the Vanquish as the supreme Aston Martin experience while the DB9 is a more affordable, less performance-minded version, more suited for "everyday" "continental" GT cruising. The Vantage is a true sports car - it only comes with a manual 6-speed transmission. Hmm.

Anyway, I hope you understand why the three of them look alike. They are actually 3 versions of the same idea. In this regard, I think it makes sense. If they made each car very different-looking they would dilute the Ason Martin image. AM is a very small company - makes no marketing or financial sense to market many ideas. One great idea - 3 ways to savour it. Keep it simple. MB is a slightly different story. It has a much broader market to worry about but it also wants to avoid diluting the image of the company so it limits the amount of visual cues. It's a smart move. If you have too many looks to a marque - you start to look Japanese or North American. You dilute the cachet. Companies like Ford, Toyota and GM have to spin off special marques like Lincoln, Lexua and Cadillac to try to create separate and more refined images. MB does not really want to create a cheaper marque because try as they may it makes MB look cheaper. Smart is different because there is literally no existing market to compare with. It's a new concept and by definition allows it to be inexpensive. Anyway, whatever...

scottcardwell · 03-09-2005, 11:26 PM

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=2197

I went to an invitational only jaguar prototype showing right here in Vancouver right before it got sent to new york its extremely sexy, production could be end of this year to 2 years. Looks a bit like an aston martin doesn't it?

I love it :)

480hpSLK55 · 03-09-2005, 11:37 PM

Aston Martin is almost idential to a Jaguar. I have an 02 Aston Martin Vangtage. Lucky me since i got the damn thing the check engine light has come on almost once a week. It loves the shop [xx(] When i took it for brakes and rotors they used the same rotors and pads they would put on a Jaguar. It was funny if you look at one of the pads you could see the little jaguar symbol. I personally think Aston Martins are far to expensive for what your getting. There really not even that fast, yes the look of them is amazing but looks is all that it`s got. I wish i could go back in time and not waste $250000cdn for my vantage. If you want exotic go for Lamborghini or Ferrari my dads never see the shop unless for general service [:D]