Skip advert
Advertisement

“It’s time for Aston Martin to embrace a more radical design”

While editor-in-chief Steve Fowler thinks the Aston Martin DB12 is a beautiful car, he wonders if it looks a little too familiar

Opinion - Aston Martin DB12

The launch of the new Aston Martin DB12 once again shines a light on one of Britain’s greatest brands. And it comes at a time when the Formula One team – a very separate entity to the car company – is flying.

I, for one, have hugely enjoyed seeing a rejuvenated Fernando Alonso in the gorgeous green racer take multiple podiums as the best of the rest behind the seemingly unbeatable Red Bulls.

Alonso’s team-mate, Lance Stroll, hasn’t had the same degree of success, of course. It’s a shame that Aston’s F1 operation doesn’t have two drivers who can fight it out on the track, but then, the team does belong to his father, Lawrence Stroll..

Advertisement - Article continues below

It’s also his team at the helm of Aston Martin Lagonda – the car company – as it has been for over three years. So how has the firm done under his ownership?

The latest financial results were hardly spectacular, it must be said, making mention of “performance in line with expectations”. Strong sales of specials – including deliveries of the Valkyrie hypercar – boosted revenue, while apparently the company’s current range of GT and Sports models (Vantage, DB12 and DBS) is around 95 per cent sold out for this year.

In spite of that, if you want some of Aston’s cars – especially in the United States – delivery can be prompt; we’ve heard that there are plenty of cars in stock.

And so to the DB12. We’ll let you know how it drives soon, but the specs are impressive; Aston really seems determined to ramp up the performance, even calling it a ‘super tourer’ instead of a mere ‘grand tourer’.

As for the looks, I can’t help wondering if it’s not time for the brand to move its current design language on in a more radical way. The DB12 is a beautiful car, certainly, but is it different enough from what’s gone before?

Do you agree with Steve? Let us know in the comments section...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Editor-in-chief

Steve Fowler has been editor-in-chief of Auto Express since 2011 and is responsible for all editorial content across the website and magazine. He has previously edited What Car?, Autocar and What Hi-Fi? and has been writing about cars for the best part of 30 years. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New Aston Martin DB12 review: almost as good to drive as to look at
Aston Martin DB12 - front tracking
Road tests

New Aston Martin DB12 review: almost as good to drive as to look at

The best Aston we’ve ever driven, but it could dial up the comfort
21 Dec 2023
New Aston Martin DB12 Volante unveiled at 2023 Monterey Car Week
2023 Aston Martin DB12 Volante Monterey Car Week
News

New Aston Martin DB12 Volante unveiled at 2023 Monterey Car Week

British brand's new convertible super GT has made its debut at Monterey Car Week 2023
19 Aug 2023
New Aston Martin DB12 uncovered with 671bhp and 202mph top speed
Aston Martin DB12 - front
News

New Aston Martin DB12 uncovered with 671bhp and 202mph top speed

The new Aston Martin DB12 arrives to replace the DB11 and once again features Mercedes’ 4.0-litre V8 at its heart
25 May 2023

Most Popular

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars will now pay £10 more per year, although the biggest gas guzzlers fare even worse
28 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years
Upcoming Audi models - four-way image
News

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years

After a quiet few years, the German giant is gearing up for its biggest product onslaught to date
25 Mar 2024