THE FIRST ASTON MARTIN TO BE launched during Andy Palmer's time as CEO at the company, the DB11, is no more. Production has run its course, marking the beginning of the end for the Palmer-era model range. It was an era that started so promisingly but ended with an over-ambitious and near-ruinous public offering, in turn leading to Lawrence Stroll acquiring a big enough stake to take control of the company and replace Palmer with his own team.
And while things didn't go altogether smoothly with first-choice CEO Tobias Moers, they have settled under current ex-Ferrari boss Amedeo Felisa. So much so that Geely has returned to the markets to double its stake to 17 per cent, making it the third largest shareholder after the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund and Stroll.
The first fruits of the Stroll recovery plan are ripening now with this, the DB11's replacement: the DB . Over 80 per cent of it is new, from its more striking face to its overhauled interior to its highly evolved underpinnings. Those expecting only a facelift are in for a surprise; those expecting a whole new car will have to wait a little longer for the Valhalla to arrive in 2024.
In the metal, the DB12 instantly renders any notion that this is merely a mild facelift applied to the seven-year-old DB11 ridiculous. The 20 per cent that has been retained is clear to see in the rear design, which remains unmistakably DB11. The rest? It's wider and far more aggressive in appearance, the GT lines ditched for performance (and ultra-luxury, according to AM).
Words like 'bold and assertive' and 'power and potency' litter the press material and are echoed by Marek Reichman, who has once again led the design of Aston's new model.
Bu hikaye Evo UK dergisinin July 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Evo UK dergisinin July 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
BEST BUYS BMW M CARS
THE PERFORMANCE CAR LANDSCAPE WOULD HAVE looked very different over the last five decades without BMW. Its M division, founded in 1972, has produced some of the best driver’s cars ever to hit the road, and in the process has provided a stream of benchmark models for its rivals to chase. In recent years, stricter emissions regulations, downsizing and electrification have seen some of those rival cars falter, yet by and large BMW’s M machines have remained strong. In fact, some rank among the greatest the department has made think of the eCoty-winning M2 CS and M5 CS while others are the only options worth recommending in their respective segments. Price tags have risen with performance, however, putting those latest offerings out of reach for many, but the marque’s popularity means there are numerous earlier M models available on the second-hand market for far more attainable figures. Here are four of our favourites.
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