Aston "fully intends" to build F430, Gallardo rival

[Zafiro]

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.

 

[wltsm]

I hope AM don't loose the luxury element of their cars, by going down this route!

 

[Merc1]

I can't wait to see what they come up with. I too hope they don't go off the deep end with too many pointless derivatives.

M

 

[Bartek S.]

One of Aston's new owners puts F430 and Gallardo on notice.
Now this is what we're talking about. A couple of days ago, Kuwati Investment Dar was discussing its intention to sell its share of Aston Martin. John Sinders, the American investment banker who also backed Dave Richards, is talking about the kinds of things we like to hear about Aston: racing, one-offs, lightweight variants, and limited editions.


Sinders says his role is to help build the brand, enlarge the dealer network, and to develop better engines that, with Bez at the helm, would remain naturally aspirated. Then he says a single-make race series is being discussed (check out the Vantage N24), and he wants to get Aston back in the ALMS -- but Aston won't enter Formula 1. He outlined a 4-model range for Aston: sports car (Vantage), GT (DB9), sport sedan (Rapide), and a halo car (Bond, anyone?), with the efforts going into developing those cars to be the best in their classes. And he nixed an SUV. But Aston doesn't just want a sports car: "We want to build the best sports car in the world. We fully intend to go straight at the Ferrari F430 and the Lamborghini Gallardo." The Vantage will need to spend quite a bit of time at the gym and the trainer's to pull that off, but there's an adjective to describe those kinds of words: fighting. We say, bring it. Click the link to check out the full interview.
One of Aston's new owners puts F430 and Gallardo on notice - Autoblog

 

[bmer]

He outlined a 4-model range for Aston: sports car (Vantage), GT (DB9), sport sedan (Rapide), and a halo car (Bond, anyone?), with the efforts going into developing those cars to be the best in their classes.http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/09/one-of-astons-new-owners-puts-f430-and-gallardo-on-notice/

Sounds like a great lineup! That halo car must be a Vanquish successor.

 

[Mr. M]

Mid-engined Aston? Hell yeah!