Ehhhhh, is it just me or are we repeating history here? The "brand new" DB12 sure looks a lot like a DBS Superleggera with DB11 tail lights...

Wasn't this the thing that AM leadership was trying to pull away from? The difficulty in pointing out which AM model is which? Where is the mid engined Vanquish that was shown 5 years ago? Why hasn't anything gotten better since Strolle rolled in and determined things were totally better?

https://www.astonmartin.com/en/models/db12

 

Well I like it. And you won't hear me handing out compliments to the Gaydon Gen 2 cars very often.

I still don't understand why people complain that Aston's design language is incremental and not revolutionary. No one *****es about the 911 in that manner, because everyone agrees it has an iconic, basic shape that can't be messed with. Well I think that the Aston GT shape is also iconic, and is better looking than the 911's. So why change it?

The DB12 loses many of the awkward features of the DB11 and merges them with many of the great aspects of the DBSS. The interior, in particular, is a quantum leap forward (as far as I can tell from the pics). So much so that it begs the question why anyone would buy a DBS now, except maybe for the cachet of the run out / ultimate 770.

The issue remains the Merc turbo V8, but that is clearly a lost battle at this point. I won't even bother to complain that there is no manual...

*** Edit: Seriously, the forum AI can't handle the word "*****es"? Well, it's been bleeped out, so everything is rainbows and unicorns again.

 

It looks nice in general, but when compared to the DBS you can tell this was a cost cutting exercise in production with all the lines and loss of the single piece clamshell hood and v12 engine.

This new generation is welcomed but used DBS and DB11s look very appealing right now given the similarities.

 

Not much for exterior to talk about.( stupid radar sensor in the middle or lower grille) Still don't like the side vent cut out..
I really like the interior, so much better than previous gen. Specially it's up to date with tech... I can't stand those stupid tablet sticking out like teenager pimple in any car..

 

Fully agree with this statement! I rather like the changes/updates to create the DB12 as well.

 

Looks incredible. I am glad I did not move to a DB11 as I think there will be a lot more for sale in the next year or so. Aston updated only the needful and bravo.

 

I don't see there being anything wrong with progressional updates of a singular line of vehicle.

My beef is that the narative about 5-6 years ago was "People have a hard time differentiating one of our models from another".

You put the 911 next to a Panamera, and anyone can see a different car. Astons (outside of the latest Vantage, which wasn't a winner but at least was different) are like the differential between the Cayman and the Boxster. Sure, one has a root and the other doesn't— but Aston's whole lineup is just those two intermixed.

I miss the days where Aston had more agency to do what it wanted. I think the Vanquish Vision project was one of the last things it had that was novel. Sigh.

 

I never minded that Aston models looked similar. As long as they look cool and consumers are buying them.

 

Isn't that the issue? They're not cash positive from what I've seen in the quarterlies.

 

There were a lot of issues that prevented sales. One, was making the dealerships have so many models on the lot. Customers usually want to order a new Aston, not buy a new one off the lot. Cars ended up being heavily discounted to move them.

Lawrence Stroll knows what he is doing and the DB12 is the first model showing his direction for the Company.

 

I don't think variety is a bad choice in vehicles. Consumers want to order an AM because there's no demand behind getting one, so no one pays for a unit that's already on the lot.

Stroll seems about as knowledgeable as a shoe as far as running a car company goes, but that's just my opinion.

 

The interior is a huge leap, reminds me slightly of the F type though, but just slightly. The exterior shape is very much still DB11, I like it better than the DBS in cosmetics though. This is just the 600something HP version V8. You know they'll have an upcharge 12 in it with 770 soon enough.

 

buying a car that is as expensive as a db12 usually means one wants to pick and choose options, it's half the fun! they don't want what some "head of sales" guy at the dealership bought from the factory with colors and options that he figured would sell. which is what it amounts to. ...would be like the groom picking out the wedding dress for his bride. ...ain't happn'n.

 

Finally some decent tech, nicely done, classy interior.

 

Not much of a departure from the DB11, basically just a face lift. Unfortunate the DB12 doesn't actually come with a V12.