At work we often struggle to convert
subjective qualities of vehicle performance into measurable objective
variables. Even if we do it successfully the results tend to surprise us. It is
a necessary evil that automotive engineers like me have to deal with.
subjective qualities of vehicle performance into measurable objective
variables. Even if we do it successfully the results tend to surprise us. It is
a necessary evil that automotive engineers like me have to deal with.
Lately I have been convinced that the
Aston Martin DB V12 vantage is the most beautiful car in the world. It wasn’t
like I thought the older Astons were ugly but I think do think the entire
series of the new Aston Martins exude perfection convincingly.
Aston Martin DB V12 vantage is the most beautiful car in the world. It wasn’t
like I thought the older Astons were ugly but I think do think the entire
series of the new Aston Martins exude perfection convincingly.
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| Find me a curve that is wrong |
In fact I have been so confident about
my subjective opinion that I have been throwing it around to people I hardly know, as if
it were fact. If they agreed, I would go on to rattle a few more sentences of
praise and then generally let it go. However, if they even hint at disagreement
or suggest some other car, no matter how nice looking that car is (I am looking
at you E Type), I instantly start building my array of arguments as to how
Aston Martin V12 Vantage can beat almost all cars, even objectively.
my subjective opinion that I have been throwing it around to people I hardly know, as if
it were fact. If they agreed, I would go on to rattle a few more sentences of
praise and then generally let it go. However, if they even hint at disagreement
or suggest some other car, no matter how nice looking that car is (I am looking
at you E Type), I instantly start building my array of arguments as to how
Aston Martin V12 Vantage can beat almost all cars, even objectively.
How does one objective beauty in car?
Well for starters, you look at the proportions of the car. No matter which
angle you look at this car, not one overhang is an inch too long or short. The
stance is aggressive but in a passive way. The roof line is impeccable and the
ridge along the side is like a crease on a perfectly ironed shirt. There is
just so much refinement in the proportion. I could imagine the designer wanting
to be flamboyant but almost as if he controlled himself and just took a break
each time he was swayed. Each time coming back to the originality of the design
and then stopping at the right time.
Well for starters, you look at the proportions of the car. No matter which
angle you look at this car, not one overhang is an inch too long or short. The
stance is aggressive but in a passive way. The roof line is impeccable and the
ridge along the side is like a crease on a perfectly ironed shirt. There is
just so much refinement in the proportion. I could imagine the designer wanting
to be flamboyant but almost as if he controlled himself and just took a break
each time he was swayed. Each time coming back to the originality of the design
and then stopping at the right time.
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| Beauty hides a beast |
And if you are done ogling at the
perfectness of the proportions, I would want you to direct your attention to
the details. The details are so magnificent that the devil himself had no
choice but to move out. The headlights are exquisite in their form factor as if
they were designed be a jeweler and not an engineer. The front grill is so
characteristically Aston but to me it has been the best manifestation of a
geometric shape called the Trapezium that I had long ago learned off in school.
The body work is sculpted in corners and creased in straightness. Yet, not one
joint or a body panel seems like it doesn’t belong. One must then spare a
through for the designer who made this car since his best is now already behind
him.
perfectness of the proportions, I would want you to direct your attention to
the details. The details are so magnificent that the devil himself had no
choice but to move out. The headlights are exquisite in their form factor as if
they were designed be a jeweler and not an engineer. The front grill is so
characteristically Aston but to me it has been the best manifestation of a
geometric shape called the Trapezium that I had long ago learned off in school.
The body work is sculpted in corners and creased in straightness. Yet, not one
joint or a body panel seems like it doesn’t belong. One must then spare a
through for the designer who made this car since his best is now already behind
him.
The vents on the hood are possibly a
point of contention but I admire the slits as intentional imperfections
designed to ensure that I fall in love with it wholeheartedly. Inside, the
story weaves a similar thread. The steering is enveloped in luxurious yet
purposeful black Alcantra leather. The dials rotate contradictory to each
other. And to start proceedings, you are offered a crystallized start stop
button. If you debate with me on this car’s perfectness then its interior would
perhaps be its weakest link.
point of contention but I admire the slits as intentional imperfections
designed to ensure that I fall in love with it wholeheartedly. Inside, the
story weaves a similar thread. The steering is enveloped in luxurious yet
purposeful black Alcantra leather. The dials rotate contradictory to each
other. And to start proceedings, you are offered a crystallized start stop
button. If you debate with me on this car’s perfectness then its interior would
perhaps be its weakest link.
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| A grill that launched a thousand ships |
Within her lies a beast of a motor
that sounds like angry Greek Gods. The massive portions of torque are delivered
to the two rear wheels by a simple honest to god six speed manual transmission
and carbon fiber drive shaft, just like God intended. These power train
specifics further garnish what is already a gorgeous dish.
that sounds like angry Greek Gods. The massive portions of torque are delivered
to the two rear wheels by a simple honest to god six speed manual transmission
and carbon fiber drive shaft, just like God intended. These power train
specifics further garnish what is already a gorgeous dish.
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| Start All |
It is very rare that such packages of
automotive perfection come about in our lifetimes. I have had to defend this car
against the likes of the 300 SL Gullwing, the E Type, the Lancia Stratos and the
Ford GT40 and perhaps the Ferrari Daytona. But these are cars that are beyond
my generation. If I had to plaster my wall with car, there is no doubt in my
mind, that the Aston Martin V12 Vantage would adorn it forever. This is a car
that I have had the pleasure of walking past each day, hearing her rumble the
windows of our offices and watch her in move motion as if the world was merely
a background.
automotive perfection come about in our lifetimes. I have had to defend this car
against the likes of the 300 SL Gullwing, the E Type, the Lancia Stratos and the
Ford GT40 and perhaps the Ferrari Daytona. But these are cars that are beyond
my generation. If I had to plaster my wall with car, there is no doubt in my
mind, that the Aston Martin V12 Vantage would adorn it forever. This is a car
that I have had the pleasure of walking past each day, hearing her rumble the
windows of our offices and watch her in move motion as if the world was merely
a background.
I believe strongly that this
car is objectively and subjectively so marvelous, that I have delusional dreams
of driving her straight into my living room to complete the decor of my four
wheeled life like no one else can. And that between the potency of thought and the existence,
lies the fine line between delusion, deliverance and the V12 Vantage.
car is objectively and subjectively so marvelous, that I have delusional dreams
of driving her straight into my living room to complete the decor of my four
wheeled life like no one else can. And that between the potency of thought and the existence,
lies the fine line between delusion, deliverance and the V12 Vantage.
