I really like the design of the AGV, and IMO I couldn't think of a better livery to put one in: I've always been extremely keen on deep red liveries, such as Thalys and Railjet. I'd like to see AGVs ordered for HS2, but by the time that opens the AGV will be an outdated design!
I can't see why updated British-spec versions of the AGV family should be outdated when HS2 finally needs them. The ICE-3 first entered service in 2000, move forward over 12 years to now and you have the slightly evolved Velaro versions of what is really the same train still being manufactured, with more of them still to come. The TGV Duplex design also had a pretty long life between the first units built and last units built. Whether the AGV becomes outdated in that time also depends on something better coming along!
Whether AGV is suitable for HS2 would probably depend on the passenger capacity. A TGV Duplex has 45% more capacity compared to a single-deck TGV Réseau of equal length, but this increase would probably be smaller if it needs to be redesigned for British-style high platforms.
The AGV would gain extra capacity compared to a TGV Réseau because it's an EMU rather than trailing coaches with non-revenue power cars at each end, further reducing the advantage of a TGV Duplex. So it could be that the AGV capacity may actually end up being close enough to a TGV Duplex that the traction advantages of an EMU, the faster loading times and better accessibility of single-deck cars could make it a better option overall than double-decked trains in the TGV Duplex style.
Interesting stuff on it, they streamlined the roof for extra performance (structurally its flat then they bolt on the curved panels), nose is supposed to be 15% more efficent than the TGV or something.
The void between the flat roof and the added fairings contains the HVAC equipment, among other things.
While it's not as artistic a design as any Shinkansen model ever, it has obviously spent a serious amount of time in the wind tunnel under the care of proper aerodynamicists. No streamlining for style going on here.
