Design language - All Comments

re: Aston One-77: the work of a genius?

W124 — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:21:18 GMT

Bez knows his stuff... If the cars are truly unique he won't have any trouble selling them - He has the chassis technology to do it and I reckon Aston has the contacts necessary. Being in private hands also gives them the flexibility. I must confess I think it's an inspired idea, especially when you take into account that a standard Rolls Coupe is £300000 and very, very vulgar...

re: Aston One-77: the work of a genius?

trackdemon — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 17:13:18 GMT

Aston Martin 'Reventon' anyone?.........

re: Aston One-77: the work of a genius?

papagomp — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 08:11:01 GMT

A sad day for any of us Aston fans! Cars like the original V8 vantage, the DB5, the DDB4 GT, were cars we lusted over, and appreciated for their power, style, and the fact that they were not Ferraris, and that they were English. Now Aston Martin produce some of the most beautiful cars in the world. But here's the rub. The

Rapide is a 4 door db9, the Vantage has the wrong name (it used to denote the higher performance variant), and the DBS should really have been a DB9 Vantage, it certainly is not a Vanquish replacement. Maybe thats what this new car should have been! Instead we get some pretentious waffle about the ultimate expression of form and art. An aston was always about the drive, the experience.

The car does look great, Reichman and his team must be congratulated on establishing a new direction for Aston, no easy task. There are some wonderful details.

Its just a shame that Astons are now becoming indicators of poor taste bling, and inflated egos on wheels (like Bentley, Ferrari at al), and not the discerning drivers cars that they once were. The pretentious waffle doesnt cut it with me, although I am sure there are 77 people out there who will disagree with me.

But, even as I write this, I am becoming more convinced by an ultimate Aston, that allows the owners more personalisation than they could have wished for, is a performance flagship, and is comissioned in the way a yacht might be, or a painting. Just dont limit it and charge the amount you are talking about!!!

I don't believe it, the Bez effect is working on me!!!!

re: Aston One-77: the work of a genius?

Beowolf — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:32:33 GMT

Hmmm. This isn't about 'sense' at all. Sounds like an Aston take on something like the Enzo FXX experience, though obviously not track biased.

These kinds of cars are super-rich-collectors-playboy-bling things. Doesn't seem on first impressions the Aston is really a 959/GTO/CCX/Pagani/Veyron chaser. Will it matter?

re: Aston One-77: the work of a genius?

solo64 — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:12:08 GMT

With the story that Aston is going to raid the Merc parts bin will they look at using the chassis from the next Merc supercar.

And as for the Veyron that might be the fastest thing made ( so far ) but costing at least 4 times what it sold for is not my idea of sense.

re: Aston One-77: the work of a genius?

65 AMG — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:37:36 GMT

well i stongly doubt it. its not as if its a new car. if they owner wants a 2+2, he'll get a Rapide and there's already a convertible DB9 so that shouldn't be too difficult. £1.2mil? insane. even the Bug doesn't cost that much and thats in an entirely different league.

re: Audi LED running lights? No thanks

drivenfromtherearplease — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:11:56 GMT

Hmm yes it has been funny as I have found a marked arrogance developing amongst VAG drivers over the last few years. Great! Please leave us alone to enjoy our cars for what they were intended - driving! They are not a pair of shoes or a handbag, Rolex or i-Phone.

As far as I am concerned the quicker the badge snobbery disappears the better for all of us and the complete anchors who used to be in other vehicles are now inhabiting those owned by Wolfsburg. A pity, but now you’re there please stay.

Oh me? BM 3dr 120d M-Sport Manual. Angel eyes? Well yes actually. You see back in May 2007 when I ticked the box marked “Visibility Pack” it meant I was able to gain my Xenons (with corner tilt) a few hundred quid cheaper.

Why the Xenons? Well when was the last time you got in your car at 2am and drove for the sheer fun of it in the country? Mmm VAG owners may well be perplexed….but you need a good set of lights for this.

The Audi lights smack of diamante bling as they are headlamp only, the BM’s also have led rears on too, possibly so the understearing VAG’s can see where we are when they finally get to the straight…..

re: Ka target audience - but I'm not convinced

rtwingo — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 23:00:53 GMT

"It's the pedestrian regulations - they'll say."

It's the polish Fiat factory, I'll say...

I actually think the Ka looks nice, front in particular.

And the 3-door Corsa's design always looked nice as well...

Seriously - looks very cute, not to original, but hopefully it will work better on the road (unlike the bizzare XF).

Sadly, no chance of having this car in Israel, anyway...

re: Ka target audience - but I'm not convinced

sierra — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:40:58 GMT

"stunted lovechild of a new Fiesta and a Vauxhall Corsa?"

More like an orgy including 207, i10, Ibiza, Mazda 2, etc., etc.

It's the pedestrian regulations - they'll say.

re: Ka target audience - but I'm not convinced

Andrew Lee — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:16:16 GMT

Totally agree with the Fiesta+Corsa observation! And after all the photoshopped versions AND the Fiat 500, it is decidedly lacking in 'cuteness'. But then until fairly recently I thought the existing Ka was ugly (at least the rear half). Yes, see what it looks like on the road...

re: Audi LED running lights? No thanks

justi — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 16:01:59 GMT

Me me me look at me me me ME ME

I have to say, whenever I see someone in an A5 with these blazing away, I shout out an involuntarily "TOSSER".

As bad as the angel eyes beemer people who go aroudn with those on all day, I preseume to show that Audi has not got one on them. Sh1th3ads.

Clarkson was behind the curve in consigning all Audis into deeply uncool, but I would think these LE-Me-Me-Me lights must have clinched it.

re: Audi LED running lights? No thanks

Richard H — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 07:39:07 GMT

I think they are awful and chavvy.

They have been refered to as fairy lights, and I agree.

If you want more distinctive styling, buy an Alfa 159...

re: Audi LED running lights? No thanks

Peter Cavellini — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:21:28 GMT

Hay guess what in this weeks copy of AUTO EXPRESS there are after market ?retro fit L.E.D lights.Did'nt take that long to happen,and guess which car its shown fitted too,yep! you guessed it a.....BMW!

re: Audi LED running lights? No thanks

papagomp — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:28:52 GMT

What is the fixation with having to shout just to make yourself look good. When did design become about excess, and details that reflect only someones insecurity. The problem is that I think the Audi lights generally have real interest in an otherwise staid looking car (cant believe how ordinary and over bloated the new A4 is). On the otherhand the A5 in black and larger alloys looks fantastic. But I would not buy one to look good, or get my neighbours to go oooohhhhh and arrrrrrrrrrr. How insecure does that make me?!!!

For goodness sake buy a car because you like the way it looks not because you want others to like the way you look. Most of those who buy a car for the latter get my pity not my admiration.

Look at some great examples of cars that have real design flourish, the interior of the first series DB9 and V8 Vantage, or the subtle surfacing on the Muciarlgo (never know how to spell it, but you know.....the big Lamborghini), the IQ concept by Toyota, and stance and proportion of the new Fiesta. Then also look at samples of good design that are more hidden and subtle. Richard Wolleys Rover 75 has a maturity and mini Bently feel, that is distinctive, much more so than the new Bentleys funnily enough. Indeed now MGR no longer exsists, you see less 75's than Bentleys. Others include the forms on the 156 Alfa, which has been replaced by the much more vulgar characture of the 159, and neatness of the VW up.

My point (in a rather long winded manner) is enjoy car design for what it is, and delight in the details whether its Daytime running lights or not, but do not be shallow and insecure to the point of using a car to reflect what you how others think about you. How sad is that.

re: Audi LED running lights? No thanks

nom de plum — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:45:12 GMT

Audi drivers are the new BMW drivers. Crass, flash and utterly tasteless.

I despise them and their cars.

Damn them all.