Hyper-Aston to be mid-engined? *Update: It's a go!*

  • Thread starter Thread starter Metar
  • 27 comments
  • 1,456 views
Metar

Metar

Messages
7,719
Source: LeftLaneNews.com

LLN.com
Aston Martin is considering building a mid-engine sports car to rival offerings from Ferrari and even Audi. "Aston has to look at some of the things that are being done by our competitors, like the Audi R8 and the Japanese brands," said David Richards, leader of the consortium that purchased Aston from Ford. "We believe we can expand quite considerably."

Aston's continued profitably and success will enable it to create mid-engine vehicles that were previously too costly to develop, according to AutoWeek. Previously, Aston CEO Ulrich Bez told the magazine his company had to scrap plans for a mid-engine V8 Vantage in favor of the front-engine layout, because at the time it was the only design that "made any sense financially."

Mr. Richards said there is no plan for a mid-engine car before 2010, but anonymous company executives acknowledged there could eventually be "room above Rapide for a supercar like NPX." The magazine's source said engine placement is "still a subject to be discussed."

While a range-topping supercar might not be the only mid-engine Aston planned, it would likely be the first, the magazine says. Expect a price tag somewhere above the $400,000 Rapide — likely in line with the Mercedes SLR.

Below are two illustrations by Motor Forecast of how a mid-engine Aston Martin NPX might look:

bilde

bilde
Click to expand...

Update on Post 27
 
Delightful, but it still won't ease the pain of losing the Vanquish.
 
it needs quad pipes the size of the channel tunnel
 
Sounds good to me, but I hope it looks better and more unique than that DB9-that-was-stepped-on-by-Godzilla artist's impression.
 
Yeah I'd imagine that front grille would be smaller for a start. It just looks massive on that.

Interesting idea though, but I think I prefer my Astons with the engine in the front.
 
Wouldn't be the first EVER mid-engined Aston, but probably the first road car. Didn't Aston have that AMR-1 Group C car?
 
There has been mid engined Aston's before in cncept and race car guise. The ugly as sin Aston Martin Bulldog was mid-engined. Your right about the Aston Martin AMR-1, that was a group C car and a mid-engined Aston. Also of note, the current V8 vantage was originall planned to be a mid-engined 911 rival but Ford didn't want to fund it. So Aston opted for the traditional front engined approach.
 
That looks pretty damn cool right there. Now just make it over 650bhp and paint it BRG and I'll be happy.
 
Bug eyes :lol:

It'll definitely look nicer than that 'chop.
 
bigeyes.gif


Question: What Japanese brand does Aston have to worry about so much that they build a mid-engined car?

I don't really see this as all that great of an Idea. In my view, Astons are luxurious grant-tourers, not top performers, even though they are quite fast. A mid-engined car may result in a stripped-out machine designed for all-out performance. A really can't see A-M making one of those and probably wouldn't buy it.

On the other side, if they do keep it up to Aston levels of comfort, would this encroach on territory held by the front-engined models in terms of performance and interiors? I can see this being along the same lines as an out-going model, though.

On the design: 👎. True, it is an Aston Martin, and they will always look beautiful:drool:, but there are some things wrong here. First, change the lights. It may be the angle, but they look really big. I'm sure A-M can improve those to be more appealing. Next, the Grille. Mid-engine cars have their engines behind the driver. No need for that much air up front. Maybe enev some sort of "mini-grille" with brake vents would look cool. CHANGE THE REAR!!! That is not a DB9, don't give the same rear end! Put a little variety back there, please.
 
Damn it has a huge ass! They should call it the Asston.
 
That's not how it will look btw, that's an independant mock up.

In answer to philly, I don't see a mid engined Aston being a stripped out race car, Aston is about performance and luxury. If this car does become a production reality it will be share more in common with the Veyron in principal that with an Enzo. I also doubt very much that it will encroach on other models. First of all it's price will seperate the buyers, secondly, while it will more than likely maintain Astons high quality and luxury car interiors ect, it will more than likely be a higher perofmance car than the other models too, likely having more power than anything else in the Aston production range at that time and the car may well be a showcase for some of the technology that will appear in future Aston Martins. Marketing wise, if Aston make the car right, this type of car could do wonders for Aston Martin.
 
This looks sexy, just how car porn should look like, but the the the thing I like on it the most is the headlights.
 
It looks like it was a Vanquish made of chocolate, got overheated in the sun, then gently smudged forward. That image doesn't quite work for me, but given Aston's recent design history, I'm sure the end result will be fantastic, both to look at and to drive.
 
I reckon this car could do wonders for Aston, if they pull it out right - which I'm pretty sure they will, with their deep, new pockets.

I agree with Dave, it'll be more of a Veyron-like car rather than a hardcore trackcar, but seeing as it's supposed to be a range-topper, it'll probably come with loads of power, luxury and technology.

As to philly's question, I reckon they're hinting at the NSX, which, in the upcoming version, should have around 500HP (which is Aston-territory)?
 
That is (in my opinion) a really, really bad illustrations of what it will look like almost like a bad photoshop.But I am sure that it will look beautiful like always with Astons :bowdown:. To tell the truth I don't care where the engine goes but it will probably be most suited at the middle or back (but thats going into 911 teritory :scared: ) so I would stick to the middle if I was them. Good luck Aston I will always be here to support you no matter what!
 
Dave A
In answer to philly, I don't see a mid engined Aston being a stripped out race car, Aston is about performance and luxury. If this car does become a production reality it will be share more in common with the Veyron in principal that with an Enzo. I also doubt very much that it will encroach on other models. First of all it's price will seperate the buyers, secondly, while it will more than likely maintain Astons high quality and luxury car interiors ect, it will more than likely be a higher perofmance car than the other models too, likely having more power than anything else in the Aston production range at that time and the car may well be a showcase for some of the technology that will appear in future Aston Martins. Marketing wise, if Aston make the car right, this type of car could do wonders for Aston Martin.
Click to expand...

I figured that much. Are we talking around 600 to 700 hp. to help it carry around all that extra leather? Not a Veyron competitor, but still accomplishing the same thing would be the ideal thing for them to, IMO.

Gingiba
As to philly's question, I reckon they're hinting at the NSX, which, in the upcoming version, should have around 500HP (which is Aston-territory)?
Click to expand...

I know the NSX concept thing we saw was going to be FR. I also thought Honda was pretty much scrapping their performance divisions. Are they looking into producing a new MR NSX now? Would this NSX be up to the luxury standards of contemporary Astons? Something makes me think the NSX would be more for performance than coddling it's drivers.

As for the rest of Japan, Aston already has them covered. From the looks of it, we may be seeing three+ sports cars coming out in the next 20 years (at the current rate things are progressing), and it looks as though all will be in the 500 hp range and FR. DB9 and V-12 Vanquish (or is it leaving soon?). Problem solved.
 
The Vanquish is being replaced by the DBS as the flagship Aston Martin for the moment.
 
In that sense it is, but it's not mid-engined in the commonly accepted sense that the engine is behind the driver but infront of the rear axel. In that sense the DB9 is mid-engined and so is every TVR in the current model lineup and so are a hell of a lot of other cars that are accepted as being front engined. The V8 Vantage was originally planned to be mid-engined in the engine behind the driver sense, but Ford wouldn't fund development of a new chassis when they had a perfectly good front engined one they could use.
 
Doesn't warrant a new thread, so here's the new piece from Leftlane:

LLN.com
Aston "fully intends" to build F430, Gallardo rival

Aston Martin will build a new sports car to compete with the Ferrari F430 and Lamborghini Gallardo, according to American investor John Sinders, who is now a co-owner of the British company.

"We fully intend to go straight at the Ferrari F430 and the Lamborghini Gallardo," Sinders told Automobile magazine in a recent interview.

Aston originally considered making the V8 Vantage a mid-engine sports car, but management later decided the front-engine design was the only one that made sense financially at the time.

Late last month, David Richards, leader of the consortium that purchased Aston from Ford, said a mid-engine car was possible, but not before the 2010 model year.

Sinders also said Aston will expand its engine lineup to make its existing models appeal to more customers. Many enthusiasts have demanded a more powerful version of the V8 Vantage, for example. Expect all naturally aspirated engines: "I think you will see us stay away from turbos and superchargers," he said.

As for a sports utility vehicle? "Certainly, we won't do an SUV," he said.
Click to expand...

Kickass! The last bit is also good to hear - despite the chances that an Aston-SUV will be the most beautiful SUV ever, it'll be a terrible, terrible sin.
 
Agreed. Aston need to stay away from the SUV/people carrier segment. God I can't wait for the mid-engined Aston supercar. It should be the most beautiful car ever.
 

Latest Posts

Back