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A new beginning: Aston Martin to revamp lineup with an aluminum platform and AMG engines

Andrew Hard
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Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Aston Martin announced a monumental partnership with Daimler earlier this year, and we’re about to see the fruits of their international labor.

Riding the wave of a successful 2013, Aston Martin has announced the “biggest product offensive” in its 101-year history with a new aluminum platform and a range of new models, supplemented by a swath of Mercedes-AMG engines.

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Heading Aston’s reinvention will be a new DB9, which should be released in 2016 for 2017 model year. It will be the first of many new Astons to have an AMG heart, and there’s a good chance it will feature the 502-horsepower, 4.0-liter biturbo V8 from the upcoming Mercedes AMG GT.

The DB9 will also feature a styling makeover, as Aston Martin is looking to make their models more distinct in appearance. Some critics have chided Aston for producing too many vehicles with homogeneous styling, and while we would never scoff at an Aston Martin’s look, new aesthetics are always welcome. 

If you’re a V12 lover (and who isn’t), fear not, because it doesn’t look like the staple Aston Martin powerplant is going anywhere. A 12-cylinder unit based on AMG’s twin-turbo 6.0-liter powerhouse will likely be featured in Aston’s future lineup, although it may be sans forced induction. Power output and model applications are still forthcoming at the time of this writing.

Following the new DB9 will replacements for the Vantage (coming in 2018) and the Vanquish (coming in 2019). The Rapide saloon will likely be axed for the new generation. 

The new aluminum framework, dubbed VH, was originally created by Lotus when Aston Martin was under the Ford banner from 1994 to 2007. The VH architecture is much lighter and stiffer than the old variant, and will also lay the foundation for multiple wheelbases, widths, and powertrains, further diversifying the Aston Martin lineup.

Another interesting morsel from Aston’s press release is the possibility of a hybrid down the line, and it would only make sense for Aston to use some version of Mercedes’ gas/electric system.

The rebirth comes at the perfect time for Aston Martin, because although they had a successful 2013, the British automaker is still reeling from a $39.3 million pre-tax loss in 2012. This push toward reinvention will stretch the automaker’s pocketbook even farther, but Aston has to be confident the move will reflect in higher sales numbers and more financial stability in the future. 

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