This was mentioned in the middle of another thread, but it is so awful that it warrants its own...

If this is true, Aston and AMG are shameful liars, and everything I've been worried about is happening. I'll have ZERO interest in an "Aston" that is powered by a retuned off-the-shelf AMG engine. When they announced the AMG deal, they clearly stated the engines would be "bespoke" for Aston Martin. NOTHING about this is bespoke. A massive, massive shame. I'm sure Benz platforms are next...

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/ne...s-name-new-db9

 

Curious if you felt the same way when Ford bought Aston & they produced their engines. The Cologne engines are dogs in terms of fuel economy, reliability, and cost of parts. We'll see if those three issues improve with a nearly unmodified engine. Nobody's complaining about the huge improvement in Lambo quality since VW group started parts sharing with Audi.

 

I agree, very good perspective.

The sooner we see the results of the AMG deal the better.

 

Doesn't bother me either. I'm actually excited and looking forward to seeing the next DB, Vantage, etc. I said it in the other thread and will say it again. The engine needs to sounds like an AM. That can come in many forms(definitely not artificial!!!), but if it sounds like the current flavor of Merc AMG's I'll be disappointed.

 

The sound of AMG engines is nothing more than bloated fart can 'noise'. Aston engines sound like motors should sound. And to say they are not reliable is utter BS. If I were to open the bonnet of an Aston and see MB or AMG logo anywhere, I'd walk away.

The v12 is a pure AM engine no matter where it is built. No other brand uses it in any way, shape or form. And the v8 is a highly modified Jag v8, which as at least was all in the family at the time it was selected for use.

AMG? Bah, humbug.

 

Again these concerns are all melodramatic to the nth degree. It's funny how not a single person complains about the sound made by our ford mustang motors which still run all the same hardware as the ford mustang motors they originate from, all Cosworth did was put new intake plenums on it and retune the engine ECU and a few minor changes. Aston Martin then totally redesigned the exhaust system to get the desired sound they wanted.

Aston martin spends a ridiculous amount of time and emphasis on sound! they will easily be able to get the desired sound they are looking for by tweaking the power.

I am surprised to see they are going to bypass the ZF 8-speed when they just made an announcement last week that they were going to use it. It makes sense for them to wait one additional year using the current 6spd, and just wait for the all new 9 speed transmission. No point in using a new transmission for 1 year when a better one will be replacing it shortly thereafter.

I am sure it's going to be a great drivetrain, and Benz automatics have come a very long way and are pretty damn amazing. They are on par with the ZF 8 Speed transmissions and should do a great job of providing very smooth operation with super quick up shifts.

 

How about the reliability and ease of working on them, now they are coupled with AMG. Seems to me any Merc dealer could possibly work on the motor, not to mention the many Indy's out there who do AMG exclusively. Parts would also possibly be cheaper and more easily gotten. Reliability, well that another story, some say AM are not, some say they are, same for Mercs. All depends on experience. I have owned 4 Mercs, 2 AMG's and nothing but normal typical problems have happened. All known issues, and one taken care of, then was good to go. Just a though, might make AM's a little more desirable and therefore the values might not drop quite as bad for the first couple years.

Just my .02, might be wrong, its just a thought

 

^^ This is exactly what would make Astons LESS desirable to me. The marque attracts me due to its restrained, dignified character, exclusivity and heritage and because the product has a bespoke feel. I am not interested in Aston because it is the latest word in performance, technology, reliability or ease of servicing. Though some say such worries are melodramatic, there are dangerous waters ahead IMHO, and it will be a real challenge to navigate them safely while preserving what I believe to be the core values of the brand.

 

I f the crank in my car resembles a mustang's I would be surprised, the rods and pistons however...

 

I'm still a bit put off by this article. It's got contradictory information to everything else we've been hearing - specifically about the engine (bespoke vs off the shelf) and transmission (AM themselves said they're putting the ZF 8-spd in the DB9 and Vanq, now this says they aren't??). It's more wait-and-see as far as I'm concerned.

If AM can impress with the next iteration of the Vantage, I'd love to get another. But only time will tell if it happens or not.

 

I'm kinda on the fence with this topic. On one hand I LOVE the sound and feel of my AMV8 motor as is. I have a friend who traveled to AM in toured the factory and they talked specifically about how incredibly strong the Motors are, how overbuilt they actually are… So I love that about the current motors.

On the other hand I never would feel bad about a Lambo powered by Audi equipment nor would I ever feel bad about owning a Zonda powered with an AMG motor…

If it plays into a larger strategy to keep Aston around and help to fund new projects and updates I'M ALL FOR IT!