The new Aston Martin DB12 represents a giant leap forward from the DB11 and a vital change of emphasis for the embattled but ambitious Gaydon company.
However, even more crucial than a model change has been the appointment, exactly one year ago, of 77-year-old Amedeo Felisa as Aston CEO. Italian-born Felisa ran Ferrari for eight successful and highly creative years until he retired in 2016, but he was persuaded back last year to replace former Mercedes-AMG chief Tobias Moers at Aston.
Since then, it has become apparent that the management and leadership styles of the two men could hardly be more different.
Whereas Moers was strident and combative (sparking resignations among key staff), Felisa has communicated a desire for market-leading standards by being mild-mannered and emollient: he was a popular leader at Ferrari, using an quarter-century’s experience in top car jobs to convince rather than to cajole.
Speaking exclusively to Autocar, Felisa said he arrived when the DB12 was “about 80% done” but was on hand when crucial final decisions were being made.
“We were being criticised for interior designs that weren’t different enough,” he said, echoing his designers’ view that supercar cabins had become too screen-based.
“Critics said they saw too many Mercedes parts in our cars, so we decided to invest to make sure they had their own identity.
“Our big task now is to move Aston Martin more into the super-luxury world without losing any Britishness. We’re working on that. I believe our quality is now very good and the dynamics of our new car will be another surprise.
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