2002 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage

2002 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage

Aston Martin’s engine lineup is currently limited to a range of bespoke V-8 and V-12 powerplants, developing upwards of 750 horsepower in some applications. However, just a few years ago the niche British automaker was selling cars fitted with more mundane six-cylinder engines. Such an engine was last seen in the DB7, which was offered with a 3.2-liter straight-six engine option and was eventually replaced by the V-12 only DB9 in 2003.

However, with a greater emphasis on more environmentally conscious vehicles, even among the luxury makes, Aston Martin is now considering reintroducing a six-cylinder engine to its lineup.

The information was revealed by the automaker’s CEO Dr Ulrich Bez who has hinted that a new generation of Aston Martin models could return to the classic straight-six engine configuration, during a recent interview. Bez also explained that the flexible ‘VH’ platform that spawns most of Aston Martin’s models today has many years left in it and has not yet been fully exploited, especially in terms of packaging and alternative drive systems.

As for the straight-six engine, Bez revealed that Aston Martin is looking at the option of a six-cylinder engine with a 2.5-liter swept capacity and direct injection and turbocharging technologies. He went on to explain that a straight-six engine will have no issues fitting into the VH architecture since it already fits V-12 engines, which are essentially two banks of straight-six engines mounted to a common crankshaft.

No other details were revealed but it could mean that we may soon have a brand new Aston Martin model, one that would likely be cheaper than the current V-8 Vantage.

[PistonHeads]