Q&A : Marek Reichman, Aston Martin design director
What are your favorite details on the DBS?
My favorite view of the DBS is the rear-three-quarter view, because the car looks so powerful. The car's width is accentuated by the carbon-fiber rear diffuser. Your eye is drawn to the corners and to the track and width of the car. Looking at it from the front-three-quarter view, you can see the crease line of the fender, which accentuates the tire and wheel size and shows the DBS to be very muscular. It has the definition of an athlete or a race horse at full speed.
It seems as if you're moving away from the DB9 shape. Do you want a new design direction for Aston?
An Aston Martin will always look like an Aston Martin, because the grille shape is so prominent and the face of Aston Martin is so prominent. But you're right, we are taking evolutionary steps toward a different shape. This [the DBS] is the first time we've shown the car's overt power. It's not quite brutal, but it's not all about elegance anymore; it's actually portraying the powerful state of an Aston Martin. I think this is the first time that's really happened since the DB4 GT Zagato.
What is the significance of your new design studio?
It's huge. We've always been in rented accommodations. Although it's fabulous to be in someone else's house, you can't put the furniture where you want it or paint it the color you want. This is our own studio. It's confirmation from the new shareholders that they believe in design, and Aston Martin is all about design. Aston Martin is organized so that we can do things very quickly and very efficiently. It says to everyone on the team that they [the new owners] believe in the future of Aston Martin. I'm over the moon, I'm so excited.
How does the Rapide fit into all this? Will it be a true four-seater?
It's a four-door sports car. I can fit in the back of the car, although I'm not sure whether I would want to be there for a five-hour journey. But it's not a sedan, it's a sports car. And, yes, there are compromises, but it will be more usable than our DB9. You can fold the rear seats down and actually carry more luggage. We've been in the studio refining and developing it. When the production car finally comes out, you'll see a difference from the show car. You'll see that it is the next generation of Aston Martin.