Sep 24, 2009 3:52:53 PM
- Shawminator
- Junior
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- Loc: FL , United States
- Posts: 122, Gallery
- Registered on: Jan 17, 2005
Aston V12 Vantage Coming to the U.S. according to Dr. Bez
Looks like Aston has decided to sell the V12 Vantage after all in the US. Very curious to see where they end up on pricing.
http://blog.caranddriver.com/aston-ceo-v12-vantage-coming-to-the-u-s/
Aston Martin’s website still says that production of the V12 Vantage will be limited to 1000 units over its one-year life span, and that it is not available in North America. But CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez told us at the Frankfurt show that his company may well build more of this incredibly attractive sports car which we sampled just a few weeks ago. Moreover, homologation is well under way for the U.S. market.
Bez also has high hopes for the stunningly beautiful Rapide four-door sedan. Its main rival, the Porsche Panamera, was displayed in the same show hall, but Bez hadn’t yet had the opportunity to look at it closely. Almost two decades ago, Bez worked on the more lightweight and compact four-door Porsche 989 concept, which he says was closer in concept to the Aston Martin Rapide. Aston plans to sell 2000 units annually, a target that seems somewhat more realistic than the 20,000 Panameras that Porsche hopes to make every year. Meanwhile, the Lamborghini Estoque, a potential competitor for the Rapide, seems to have been put on eternal hold.
Bez is not concerned about the styling similarities between the V8 and V12 Vantage and the DB9/DBS models: “The main thing is that people recognize it is an Aston Martin.”
That said, he is working on some products that will look quite a bit different from anything currently offered. The Toyota iQ–based Cygnet is well under way for a launch in the first half of 2010; 50 units of the ultra-low volume One-77 sports car have already been sold; and the controversially styled SUV which is slated to revive the Lagonda brand is being further developed for market launch in a few years. None of these three models were present in Frankfurt.
