Aston Martin to Borrow Engines, Parts from Mercedes-Benz?
Every automaker needs a host of suppliers, but if the rumblings are true, newly-independent Aston Martin may, in fact, be looking to Mercedes-Benz for an array of parts. According to Autocar, the owners of Aston might be eying Mercedes-designed parts, including everything from engines to HVAC controllers.
Adham Charanoglu, business development manager of the Kuwaiti firm Investment DAR (which owns the majority of Aston), mentioned to reporters this week that Aston and the three-pointed star could cooperate on a host of programs, ranging from simply supply to actually crafting new models.
(click through for more on a possible Aston-Merc tie-up)
Should the deal happen, a parts supply would be the most logical arrangement for the two brands. The development of any subsystem, including even motors, can be expensive for even the largest of manufacturers. Sharing motors or electrical systems with Stuttgart would help Aston keep its overhead down, while Mercedes could offset the costs involved in their development.
However, this may only be wishful thinking on Charanoglu's part. With an announcement on a possible takeover of McLaren scheduled for March, we're betting Mercedes-Benz would be more interested in co-developing vehicles with that brand, not Aston. That may not stop Aston from simply purchasing motors from Mercedes if it comes down to it (Pagani does so for their Zonda), but we imagine the current engine ranges will stick around for some time yet.
That said, would you ever consider a Mercedes-powered DB9 to be an Aston Martin? Is the thought of a Benz mill under the hood of an Aston acceptable or mere sacrilege? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Comments
BruceinCary
An Aston with a MB engine is still an Aston. No one cares that a Spyker has an Audi engine. The one thing that Aston needs to keep in mind, anything you see or touch must be bespoke Aston. Other than that you can't go wrong with any just about any AMG or MB engine.
Steve
Wow. The thought of AM's with AMG engines instead of the underwhelming motors they've had of late makes me giddy...
Paul In Jersey
Did we see agree mobs of investment bankers, plastic surgeons, studio moguls, mutual fund managers, CEOs and hedge fundies and dot.com zillionaires rioting in the streets over the Jaguarization of Aston-Martin products during the Ford years?
No.
It would have been fun to watch, though!
Russ Bellinis
Isn't Mercedes a step up from Ford?
Ducati Minor
Steve...underwhelming how? The Vanquish S had a 5.9 L V-12 pumping out 520 hp and 425 ft.-lbs. of torque.
CARSON44
Bravo to Aston. Building any car today is a staggering commitment. So if you can purchase the best, sorted out components in the world, more or less, "off-the shelf", you can spend your resources perfecting what was a good car to start. In defense of FORD, ,Jaguar, Aston Martin, Land Rover and Volvo are much better and stronger today for their association with FORD. This unfortunately came at the expense of a weaker FORD.
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