Report: Aston Martin and Mercedes working on $385 million co-op agreement
December 31st, 1969
News of a new cooperation agreement between Aston Martin and Mercedes-Benz, called appropriately enough, 'Romeo and Juliet', has come to light. Though it's not finalized yet, the deal is not a total surprise, though its scope is bigger than anticipated, with a value estimated at $385 million and covering everything engines, hybrids, new Lagonda models and even a possible 4x4.
Aston’s current engine deal with Ford, which sees the V8 and V12 engines for the Vantage and DB9/DBS models built at the Blue Oval's Cologne plant, is expected to dry up in 2012, after which a new partner will need to be found.
Dave Richards, the boss of one of Aston Martin’s biggest investors, Prodrive, confirmed back in May that the British luxury marque was in talks with several other companies over a range of possible tie-ups but mostly over a new engine deal.
The initial phase of the agreement had been named Project Alligator, but the new 'Romeo and Juliet' code-name, chosen - hopefully - for its connotations of Anglo-German romance, and not futile suicide, portends a future that could see extensive and long-lasting cooperation between the two carmakers. Earlier this week BMW revealed that it was in the midst of a joint-purchasing arrangement with Mercedes as well.
One of the possibilities could see the hand-built AMG 6.2L V8 engine appear in the Vantage (pictured). There’s also talk of diesel and hybrid Aston Martins being developed in the future as well as a new flagship model to be shared with the Maybach brand. A range of proposed Lagonda models is thought to be on the table, including a SUV or other 4x4. Even a DB10 is possible, reports CAR. Other possibilities include platform sharing for top-end models and the development of a new eight-speed automatic transmission. All of these offer potential to help Aston in its bid to take the brand even further upmarket in addition to the One-77 special-edition.
Richards had earlier quelled speculation that the British carmaker could be up for sale following reports claiming Kuwaiti-based investment firm Investment Dar would sell its 50% stake in the company. Speaking at the Nürburgring 24-hour this year, Richards said the speculation arose from previous rumors that suggested Aston Martin was in talks with Mercedes-Benz over an engine-sharing deal.
In March, it was reported that Aston Martin was considering borrowing smaller V6 and V8 engines from Mercedes-Benz and possibly hybrid powertrains as well to help meet new emissions regulations and environmental concerns. At the time, Richards confirmed there were talks with Mercedes-Benz but explained that it was just one option being investigated.Aston Martin One-77First Drive: Aston Martin DBSAston Martin V12 Vantage spy shots2009 Aston Martin DB9 and Volante
News of a new cooperation agreement between Aston Martin and Mercedes-Benz, called appropriately enough, 'Romeo and Juliet', has come to light. Though it's not finalized yet, the deal is not a total surprise, though its scope is bigger than anticipated, with a value estimated at $385 million and covering everything engines, hybrids, new Lagonda models and even a possible 4x4.
Aston’s current engine deal with Ford, which sees the V8 and V12 engines for the Vantage and DB9/DBS models built at the Blue Oval's Cologne plant, is expected to dry up in 2012, after which a new partner will need to be found.
Dave Richards, the boss of one of Aston Martin’s biggest investors, Prodrive, confirmed back in May that the British luxury marque was in talks with several other companies over a range of possible tie-ups but mostly over a new engine deal.
The initial phase of the agreement had been named Project Alligator, but the new 'Romeo and Juliet' code-name, chosen - hopefully - for its connotations of Anglo-German romance, and not futile suicide, portends a future that could see extensive and long-lasting cooperation between the two carmakers. Earlier this week BMW revealed that it was in the midst of a joint-purchasing arrangement with Mercedes as well.
One of the possibilities could see the hand-built AMG 6.2L V8 engine appear in the Vantage (pictured). There’s also talk of diesel and hybrid Aston Martins being developed in the future as well as a new flagship model to be shared with the Maybach brand. A range of proposed Lagonda models is thought to be on the table, including a SUV or other 4x4. Even a DB10 is possible, reports CAR. Other possibilities include platform sharing for top-end models and the development of a new eight-speed automatic transmission. All of these offer potential to help Aston in its bid to take the brand even further upmarket in addition to the One-77 special-edition.
Richards had earlier quelled speculation that the British carmaker could be up for sale following reports claiming Kuwaiti-based investment firm Investment Dar would sell its 50% stake in the company. Speaking at the Nürburgring 24-hour this year, Richards said the speculation arose from previous rumors that suggested Aston Martin was in talks with Mercedes-Benz over an engine-sharing deal.
In March, it was reported that Aston Martin was considering borrowing smaller V6 and V8 engines from Mercedes-Benz and possibly hybrid powertrains as well to help meet new emissions regulations and environmental concerns. At the time, Richards confirmed there were talks with Mercedes-Benz but explained that it was just one option being investigated.
Report: Aston Martin and Mercedes working on $385 million co-op agreement
October 23rd, 2008
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October 23rd, 2008
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October 23rd, 2008
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Aston’s current engine deal with Ford, which sees the V8 and V12 engines for the Vantage and DB9/DBS models built at the Blue Oval's Cologne plant, is expected to dry up in 2012, after which a new partner will need to be found.
Dave Richards, the boss of one of Aston Martin’s biggest investors, Prodrive, confirmed back in May that the British luxury marque was in talks with several other companies over a range of possible tie-ups but mostly over a new engine deal.
The initial phase of the agreement had been named Project Alligator, but the new 'Romeo and Juliet' code-name, chosen - hopefully - for its connotations of Anglo-German romance, and not futile suicide, portends a future that could see extensive and long-lasting cooperation between the two carmakers. Earlier this week BMW revealed that it was in the midst of a joint-purchasing arrangement with Mercedes as well.
One of the possibilities could see the hand-built AMG 6.2L V8 engine appear in the Vantage (pictured). There’s also talk of diesel and hybrid Aston Martins being developed in the future as well as a new flagship model to be shared with the Maybach brand. A range of proposed Lagonda models is thought to be on the table, including a SUV or other 4x4. Even a DB10 is possible, reports CAR. Other possibilities include platform sharing for top-end models and the development of a new eight-speed automatic transmission. All of these offer potential to help Aston in its bid to take the brand even further upmarket in addition to the One-77 special-edition.
Richards had earlier quelled speculation that the British carmaker could be up for sale following reports claiming Kuwaiti-based investment firm Investment Dar would sell its 50% stake in the company. Speaking at the Nürburgring 24-hour this year, Richards said the speculation arose from previous rumors that suggested Aston Martin was in talks with Mercedes-Benz over an engine-sharing deal.
In March, it was reported that Aston Martin was considering borrowing smaller V6 and V8 engines from Mercedes-Benz and possibly hybrid powertrains as well to help meet new emissions regulations and environmental concerns. At the time, Richards confirmed there were talks with Mercedes-Benz but explained that it was just one option being investigated.
Aston Martin One-77
First Drive: Aston Martin DBS
Aston Martin V12 Vantage spy shots
2009 Aston Martin DB9 and Volante
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Comments (8 total)
Meet the top commenters on the LeaderboardBy chris #1, Posted: 5/29/2008
I don't remember any one ever complaining about the current engines in the astons. Sure, they could be a little smaller, a little more fuel efficient, but the quality is definitely there. I think aston will lose some of its appeal if it starts buying engines from other companies, because you just know it will either be merc or bmw.
while those are great engines and all, and astons are still gorgeous cars, why would you ever get an aston for twice as much as an equivalent merc or bmw? because in the end, i really dont think i could deny getting an M3 coupe for half the price of an aston. i know it's not an aston.. but who cares. if they both have the same engine.. who really cares.
By Graham #2, Posted: 5/29/2008
Noone ever complained about the DB7 6 cyl having a Jaguar block. Whats important is that Aston survives, and puts good quality, well performing engines in their cars. I am sure AM will tune it so that it behaves like an Aston.
By Stephen #3, Posted: 8/6/2008
Aston's are the XXX cars of the motoring world, they could be as slow as a Geo and people will still buy them. What I'm afraid of is Aston's losing that engine noise, I'm a huge German car fan but the noises from those Astons' are second only to Ferrari's!
By NoNameDenton #4, Posted: 8/6/2008
Nooooooo German engines in the Aston, a lil tuning to get the fuel efficiency up, and they will be the best in the world.
By chris #5, Posted: 8/7/2008
denton; you tune the engine for efficiency and you lose power. redesign the engine with more modern and complex mechanicals, and you get the efficiency AND power
By Dandan #6, Posted: 8/8/2008
to Chris you can get both but it reduces engine life and require more maintenance
By chris #7, Posted: 8/9/2008
right... and we all know poor engine life is exactly what AM's core clientel are looking for.
By Dandan #8, Posted: 8/9/2008
well consider they probably wont be putting 100,000 miles on their cars chris?
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