Love at First Sight for Romeo and Aston Martin
By: Mike Thomas | Ford Communications Network |
 |
| MPG uses the DB9 (above) and soon the Vanguish S. Visit Aston Martin for more information. |
The daylong course is complimentary to owners of the V12 Vanquish S and fee-based to owners of other Aston Martin models or at times to prospective buyers. The course is equal parts instruction in handling a performance car and huge amounts of fun.
"We started talking to Aston Martin about a year ago," said Jim Boerger, MPG manager. "We hosted the dealer launch for the DB9, which was a great opportunity for the dealers and company officials to get acquainted with our site. Then in August our driving instructors, Kevin Markham and Sal Gusmano, went to Gaydon in England for training and to learn about the exclusivity of the brand and Aston Martin's history."
Back in the United States, Markham and Gusmano worked with the MPG staff to develop the routes and curriculum.
"The performance classes held in Millbrook, England, and Lommel, Belgium, are excellent, but we had to alter the curriculum to suit North American roads," Gusmano said. "Our roads are different and our driving speeds are very different. Some of the roads we're using are tighter and more complex instead of the free running open road type of driving in Britain and Europe."
"It's almost like the difference between the Autobahn and I-75," Boerger added.
Once the curriculum was established, MPG staff set about adding some special touches. "If a person is going to invest in an Aston Martin and travel here from anywhere in North America, we want to make the experience something special," Boerger said. "We had a conference room remodeled with furniture based on Aston Martin's motifs. The cars are covered when not in use and are kept spotless. We even wash them between morning and afternoon sessions."
At the moment, the cars are two DB9s. Later this year, MPG will add V12 Vanquish S and V8 Vantage models.
As far as the course is concerned, each session is one-on-one between a customer and the instructor and is tailored to the unique needs and abilities of the attendee.
"When Kevin and I are with a customer, we're not only teaching, but also studying the person," Gusmano said. "Starting in the lower speeds we're looking at them and identifying how they feel out on the course and what their abilities are. If the person is uncomfortable, we won't run at high speeds. Then again we often we get the car over 100 mph. That's part of the course, to get the exhilaration of the car's capabilities."
The course covers the vehicle's controls and unique features then moves on to precision handling in a variety of situations. On the 2.5-mile straightaway, for instance, attendees can experience high speed and the Aston Martin's braking system as well as the Touchtronic transmission's paddle shift on the steering column.
On the vehicle dynamics course, the pavement is watered down for practice on slick surfaces with Aston Martin's Dynamic Stability Control feature. Moving to the hill course, customers navigate twists and turns to learn about such factors as cornering lines and weight transfer.
Gusmano gave an example of one typical exercise by taking the DB9 onto the straightaway at high speed and then stomping on the brakes in a full panic stop. With its huge brakes, the DB9 remained at a relatively flat angle throughout the braking.
"We can use this type of exercise to demonstrate the vehicle's capabilities," Gusmano said. "At the same time we can show the customer that he or she can still steer the car while braking and avoid obstacles rather than relying completely on the brakes to stop the car in time."
The driving instructors, indeed the whole MPG staff, think of themselves as representatives of Aston Martin. "Some of the people in our classes haven't actually bought a vehicle yet," Gusmano said. "If they're hesitant, dealers will refer them to us. After a day on the course in an Aston Martin they pretty much know what they're getting is an absolutely fantastic vehicle. So we also function in a way as salesmen."
To further the personal touch, MPG staff will be heading to California for the V8 Vantage dealer launch. The aim is to build a relationship between the dealers and the instructors for referral purposes.
With several sessions completed, MPG is pleased with the results. "Most of the time outside of a track, owners are driving at only 50 percent of the car's actual capabilities," Gusmano said. "We can do things here that you could never do on the open road. Our course is a controlled and safe environment where the customer can experience the car's capabilities and have fun.
"So far this year, all the customers we've taught have left grinning ear to ear."
And who wouldn't grin (and perhaps feel a bit James Bondish) after letting a DB9 rip on a straightaway?
