Automotive

My initial impression, from just viewing the car (clearly not driving), could most succinctly be put like this - strikingly impressive. Yet with that said I have to immediately balance it out with saying what I first felt the moment the first batch of marketing images appeared - I do not find the design more appealing than the latest iterations of either the DB9 GT or the Vanquish 2, both of which were conveniently displayed there as well. In my opinion, as boldly attractive as the 11 is (especially in the sublime orange hue with an all-black roof), there is a timeless elegance about the 9 and the second iteration of the Vanquish that, at least from this single impression, I don't think the 11 possesses. My viewpoint having been stated, here are a few shots I captured including one of the pesky roof-line with those aluminium sides that can, for the time being, only be painted in either gloss black (to match the roof) or bright anodized finish. I'm pretty confident that is going to change shortly into the car's production cycle. Very interested in reading your impressions! Cheers, Filip

For those interested in a bit more detail below are the scans of the launch specification ordering brochure with all of the available options neatly listed. These will naturally grow and develop as production matures. I believe the vast majority of the options are meant for global distribution of the car.

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sadly no interior shots, I was eager to check out the inside as well but since this was the very first car they brought to the US they weren't yet allowing people to spend time inside the vehicle (at least not those who weren't actually placing deposits). I did get a glimpse of the inside when one of the test drivers held a brief speech about the car's development but only from a couple feet away. It is definitely ergonomically and qualitatively improved but aesthetics are always in the eye of the beholder. Thanks for looking!

Hope to be able to see one in the real life! 

I kind of feel disappointed in my own self for not liking it quite as much as I do the DBS and Vanquish 2, but bear in mind that this is only the beginning of their brand new slate of vehicles engineered anew from the ground-up and more impressive variants and models are sure to come in the (very) near future. Here are two candid images from the internet where the car can be seen really well, as well I guess as it gets without experiencing it for yourself in the metal . Cheers.

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getting to drive it and especially compare it directly with its predecessors would really give you the necessary feeling for whether or not it is a truly better package in total. Your new California looks great by the way, I see them quite a lot here around the LA area (unsurprisingly of course ). Have to say the only really tempting Ferrari personally is the F12, although I feel it may very well be too much a car for driving within city limits most of the time....

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that is the correct information as far as what is coming out from their PR department at the moment....

Just not sure about the two tone paint.

sure has been a polarizing thing....

I have to see one of these drive by on the road to see if I like the looks of it.  Difficult to tell for me right now.

Cheers,
Anthony

you have to see the car in person to actually take in the new design. It is considerably more complex than the previous ones which you could get a really good impression of just from looking at candid images. The main reason being is that there are a lot more fine details - for better or for worse - that's where personal sensibilities come into play. Undoubtedly though, a considerably more technologically advanced car than its predecessors so to whomever the tech makes a big difference they will more than likely be enamored with it. Cheers, Filip

of a pre-production DB11 on the showroom floor at the Gaydon HQ....

The DB9 has a beautiful and gorgeous design that will be forever timeless.  The DB11, while strikingly beautiful and modern is definitely the cusp of the new Aston Martin design language for their next century of automotive existence (assuming they don't go bankrupt again like the seven times they've gone bankrupt in the first century). 

In marketing research and my own evaluations of Aston Martin drivers and owners, the Aston Martin owner is usually astounded by the beauty and the sound of the cars.  And they are seductively beautiful machines with brilliant operatic tenor and bass soundtracks.  But the driving experience, although exciting in the V12 Vantage S, a vehicle I've driven thousands of miles in, is actually mediocre when it comes to the steering, suspension, and individual components alone.  But that sound does make the car feel exciting! 

Will Aston Martin's plan of marketing products to women and becoming a more woman friendly automaker help?  Time will tell.  Will it save the brand?  Time will tell.  Will their future split products of 2-door sports cars combined with an even greater volume business of normal SUVs and sedans save the company and bring it back to prosperity and profitability?  Time will tell. 

We're seeing a century old company evolve...  Formula 1 involvement, technology and drivetrain partnership with Mercedes-Benz, new products, and a new CEO.  But is that enough to change a company that is so "dyed in the wool" set in its ways?  One that's so proud of its heritage?  One that claims to be so "true" and "authentic" that they've gone bankrupt seven times!  An interesting question that has only one cliche answer...  Time will tell. 

a new set of endeavors for a (business-wise) struggling old company where there are clearly more questions than there are answers to be had. Time will indeed tell though I at least have faith in the new leadership! Thanks for looking! Cheers, Filip

looking good that golds nice shape looks interesting

This first one from autoblog....

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