Tag Archives: Stroll

Car review

Aston Martin DB12

Aston Martin chairman Lawrence Stroll’s comment calling the DB11 “slow” seems to have been taken to heart by the engineers. The result is the DB12, a brutally fast car that leans more towards the DBS in terms of speed. The response is almost instantaneous at any speed, and the eight-speed automatic transmission matches the engine perfectly, giving it a super tourer positioning. The gearshifts are crisp and precise, although not as savage as a dual-clutch auto. The engine sounds epic, but not as deafening as Aston’s V12.

We got the chance to drive the DB12 on two fantastic roads in France: the Route Napoléon and the Col de Vence. The former is filled with hairpin turns and second-gear corners, while the latter has faster third-gear turns. The DB12 handles better on the Col de Vence, providing superb body control, stable handling, and plenty of grip. It feels stiffer than the 7% improvement figure suggests, making it an exhilarating sports car in higher-speed corners. You can’t help but crave the next corner as soon as you’ve finished one. However, the DB12 can feel a bit frustrated at lower speeds, with its size becoming apparent and the diff and transmission calibration not quite delivering the same thrills in slower-speed corners. There is definitely room for the more agile Vantage below the DB12, even considering its more sporting positioning.

One of the most transformative aspects of the DB12 is its ride comfort, particularly noticeable around town. Aston wasn’t exaggerating when they said the dampers’ ability had increased. Although you do need to be careful with how you position the car, the low-speed refinement and comfort make you forget you’re driving such a sporty and powerful vehicle. It’s not intimidating at all. While our test route didn’t include many motorway miles, the DB12 seemed impressively comfortable on longer journeys as well.

After a day of driving, however, there were still some control issues that could be improved. Credit to Aston for not relying solely on the touchscreen, but the mix of physical and digital controls gives it a first-generation layout feel. More refinements in usability are planned, with seven more front-engined sports cars, including derivatives, set to follow the DB12 in the next two years. Nevertheless, the perceived quality, technology, and comfort of the DB12 have seen significant improvements, successfully addressing the biggest shortcoming of the DB11.

News

Aston Martin Chairman Lawrence Stroll Believes He Should Be Knighted for Saving the Company

Lawrence Stroll, the executive chairman of Aston Martin’s road car business and owner of the Formula 1 team, believes that he deserves to be knighted for his efforts in saving the company and setting it up for future success.

In a media interview before the firm’s capital markets day, Stroll expressed his belief that he should be recognized for his achievements. He stated, “I should be knighted for what I’ve done. I’ve saved thousands of jobs and built a new Formula 1 factory with hundreds of millions of investment.”

Stroll emphasized the significant investment he has made in Aston Martin, which amounts to around £1.5 billion. He described it as a huge show of his belief in the company and its future success.

Setting Aston Martin up for long-term success has been a challenging task that typically takes between five and 10 years for industrial companies. However, Stroll believes that achieving this feat within just three years demonstrates his determination and commitment.

Despite negative media coverage affecting Aston Martin’s performance, Stroll remains confident in the brand’s future. He believes that external perception still carries a sense of negativity due to the impact of the company’s IPO, but he emphasizes that the current management team has made significant progress over the past three years and is focused on future endeavors.

Stroll draws attention to the evidence of Aston Martin’s success in the form of increased car prices and improved margins. The average sale price of an Aston is expected to rise from £157,000 in 2020 to £223,000 in 2023, with a margin goal of 40% for future cars.

Under Stroll’s leadership, Aston Martin has already introduced the Aston Martin DB12 and has plans for the Vantage and DBS replacements, the Valhalla mid-engined supercar in 2024, and the company’s first EV in 2025. The partnership with Lucid will provide crucial motor and battery cell technology for Aston’s upcoming electric vehicles.