http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=16106
I hope this is not the Vanquish Replacement . The DBS is a DB9 with a body kit. Who are they fooling ?
It's just a TAD bit more than just a body kit. It's definitely not anything close to an average DB9. I for one would love that to be the vanquish replacement.
Its the same thing as if the Stradale would have replaced the 575 or Enzo. Its a known design , with les kgs and more hp..That is how they want to replace the Vanquish ? Great news fot Vanquish owners.
That is the AM in the latest Bond movie. Hot hot hot, although it got very little (unflipped) air time.
I'm not trying to be argumentative, but I would say its a far stretch from a stradale replacing an enzo. The DBS is a v12 (as was the vanquish) said to have apporx 600hp lighter than vanquish better brakes better transmission limited and other than a similar look, nothing like a normal DB9, and better in every way than the vanquish. comparing a stradale to the enzo or 575 would be as if they made a limited edition V8 Vantage to replace the vanquish in which the DBS is clearly not.
Healthy conversation . I wouldnt expect any less from AM and from a replacement car than to have better brakes, trans and more HP. However, for a flagship car to be that blatantly based on the same design of the mid level car is BS IMO ( hence my Stradale analogy ). It is still a gorgeous car but for me it will remain a DB9 with more character and the Vanquish will still be the most beautiful AM since the DB4GT.
It is a low production volume version of the DB9, as any Aston Martin dealership will tell you. Nobody is trying to hide anything or fool anyone. The Vanquish replacement is still some time off as Ford did not want to invest in its development (since they were selling the company). Ford would not give the go-ahead on the Rapide for the same reason.
Ford no longer owns Aston. It's privately held, yet again. And from what Aston Martin has said, the DBS will be the successor to the Vanquish
First, had a long discussion with the dealer about 2 weeks ago about the DBS. It is, for all intents and purposes, sold out. In fact, several prospective DBS buyers purchased the run-of-the-mill road cars just to get on "the list". It appears as if the DBS will only be offered to current AM owners. Expected price is in the $280K range. So, it appears as if Ferrari is not the only company with a "list"! This is not the Vanquish "replacement". A new Vanquish is well under way, but it's probably an '08 MY (possibly later?). AM has also given the go ahead on the Rapide (the 4-door). AM dealers are enthusiastic about the Dave Richards' era. From a buyer's point of view, we'll just have to see. Interesting times! CW
Yes Aston Martin was recently sold, so work on the Vanquish replacement is now starting and the Rapide has been given the go ahead. This was not the case prior to the sale. I do not believe Aston Martin has ever said that the DBS is the Vanquish replacement. The DBX on the other hand likely will be the Vanquish replacement: http://www.gadgets.autoblog.com/2007/03/23/the-dbx-aston-martins-forthcoming-supercar/ John
As said before the most likely replacement for the Vanquish is the DBX. The DBS will replace the DB9, and the Vantage is still too new to try changing it too much. I would in no way be surprised if Aston is trying to go completely upscale in all price segments performance wise. The new owner is one of the head honcho's over at Prodrive, who we all know organizes all of Aston's race efforts. This was a good move for Ford and Aston. For us as well, as we will see through all of the new renditions. DBS build dates are supposed to start this fall. Peter Hatch Edit: Sorry for the repetition in my post to that of the first post. I didn't get a chance to read the full article until now.
BTW, dealer is telling me that Prodrive will begin offering "performance upgrades" for the AM line. Not surprising, given the racing activities and relationship. These "kits" will be available through, and installed by, the factory dealers. No further details at this time, though, as to what they might be like. Expect engine, wheels, brakes and suspension, I suppose. Possibly aero. CW
Either way I think it looks awesome, how much will this come out for, around what the vanquish did? 250-280?
The DBS is an interim car and will have the 520HP S engine. The current V12 is detuned (as are Ferrari engines) and currently has the capability of 600HP. Dimex offers 50HP+ software/parts upgrades right now for Vanqui. The Vanquish replacement is slated for 2010. The beauty of being a Vanq owner is that if you want one, you'll get one (or for that matter any AM). The question is one or two Vanqs in the garage. I don't even have to put down a deposit.........."we'll get you one."
Looks fantastic, albeit obviously DB9 in its origin. The Vanquish is a lumpy looking car (peculiar rear haunches), much less attractive than the DB9, IMO. Even if the DBS isn't its replacement, I would take one of these over a Vanquish.
You like blondes, I like brunettes........ Vanq is more masculine in appearance, DB9 is much more feminine.........not that there's anything wrong with that...... (Also has less room on the inside.) Although, the Rapide is absolutely stunning- stretching out the 9 those few inches really made the lines flow.
If you have the income, why not get both? I would. Where do you see Aston Martin going from here? Will they "whore" out the brand (going downmarket below the Vantage and going the way of Porsche/Bentley in production volume)?
I dunno about you, but simply because of that statement I'd rather be riding the DB9. The Vanquish was nice in it's conception. The DB9 was much more refined, and not in the dumbed down way. In capable hands the cars are very close performance wise. So you stick with your brunettes, I'm good with a blonde. Hey, get both and you may end up with a little baby Aston pretty soon. My expectation is that the size of the company will not grow exponentially, or even double. There will be many new models, but I expect now that each model will have less on the market, making Aston's demand grow, while the company has only grown slightly. Prodrive should make this interesting. It could either bring Aston up to the Ferrari, Lamborghini level, on the other hand it could bring it to ground level where everyone could buy an Aston. We'll just have to wait and see. Peter Hatch
I've driven both and disagree. Went to AM to trade in my SL 55 on a DB9 and ordered the Vanq instead. 1. More raw ride. 2. F1 manual vs automatic. 3. More room 4. Exclusivity, less than 50 Vanqs per year imported. Hell by now there are probably more DB9s in the US than there have been Vanqs produced worldwide.... 5. The only advantage I see in a DB9 is cruise control. 6. Why get the middle of the road car when you can get the big dog. (I've got an S 600 on order.....didn't even consider the E series.....)
