Aston Martin to develop an all-new platform.

Kinja'd!!! "Fred (FreddsterExprs)" (freddsterexprs)
04/30/2014 at 07:26 • Filed to: None

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Which is going to be the first new platform for them since the Ford ownership. Every car so far has used an adapted version of the VH chassis. They also brought along a new partner: Mercedes-Benz. The platform will see Mercedes input, while the new V8 engines will be co-developed by AMG and Aston Martin. Also electronics (and hopefully an up-to-date SatNav/Multimedia System) will be provided by the Germans. Good news for the very attractive British manufacturer who had its fair share of experience with financial trouble.

The not so good news? An Lagonda/Aston Martin is getting possible again, probably on the platform of the Mercedes GL. After all, the original concept was sitting on a Mercedes GL chassis as well.

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DISCUSSION (11)


Kinja'd!!! BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
04/30/2014 at 07:40

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Considering how well Aston's pulled off a 4-door car with the Rapide (one of the most beautiful 4-doors ever I think), I have confidence that they can make an SUV bearable :)

I also understand that the more they sell of these things, the more money they have to develop their other cars. It's the same logic by which I justify the existence of the Cayenne and X5.


Kinja'd!!! Fred (FreddsterExprs) > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
04/30/2014 at 07:45

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I think pulling of a 4 door is much much easier than making a classy and beautiful SUV. Still, if anyone can do it, it's Aston. Porsche and Bentley failed miserably in my opinion.


Kinja'd!!! davedave1111 > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
04/30/2014 at 07:51

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"The not so good news? An Lagonda/Aston Martin is getting possible again"

In what way is that not good news? I get the impression you're implying that it 'won't be an Aston' because it'll be too big and heavy as a result of being built on a GL platform, but Lagondas have always been bigger and heavier than Astons. They're luxury sporting saloons, not GTs or out-and-out sportscars.

This was much bigger and heavier than contemporary Astons, for example:

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Bear in mind Lagonda were employing W. O. Bentley at the time, after Rolls Royce had bought Bentley Motors out of bankruptcy. He didn't make small, light cars.

And this Lagonda was a lot bigger and heavier than the Aston sportscar of the time, the Aston V8.

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Kinja'd!!! Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
04/30/2014 at 07:59

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I want Aston to try and make a hypercar. Why? for giggles and fast car fun.


Kinja'd!!! Fred (FreddsterExprs) > davedave1111
04/30/2014 at 08:01

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A new Lagonda Sedan or Coupe itself would be great, but an SUV? I'm sceptical. The Cayenne is vulgar, the Bentley ugly and the Maserati concept was not interesting at all. And the last time they thought about it, the not very beautiful concept from above appeared on their booth's floor.


Kinja'd!!! Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
04/30/2014 at 08:02

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They did, and didn't allow the press to ever drive it.


Kinja'd!!! davedave1111 > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
04/30/2014 at 08:14

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Fortunately the SUV thing is increasingly looking like it's winding down, so we're more likely to see a CUV. If built, a Lagonda S/CUV would be a big, heavy, powerful grand tourer similar to the BMW X6M, I expect - only much better looking. Sure, those extra couple of inches of ride height won't improve the handling, but as we've seen with things like the Cayenne and the X6M, it's not an insurmountable obstacle when you're not building a supercar - and in compensation, you get the ability to deal with speed-humps and so-on, which is a significant benefit in a daily driver.


Kinja'd!!! davedave1111 > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
04/30/2014 at 08:36

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Honestly, Bentley is dead to me these days. The Cayenne is certainly not a pretty car, but wasn't intended to be; Porsche achieved the look they were aiming for, and it's definitely striking - even if I much prefer the original to the toned-down version they've gone with lately.


Kinja'd!!! Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
04/30/2014 at 08:47

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So no giggles were had they need to allow giggles.


Kinja'd!!! Victorious Secret > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
04/30/2014 at 10:27

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Eh?

The press has driven it...


Kinja'd!!! Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Victorious Secret
04/30/2014 at 10:49

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Not officially. Evo and TopGear got a privatly owned or a car from a private dealership.