RE: Aston and AMG: it's official!

RE: Aston and AMG: it's official!

Thursday 25th July 2013

Aston and AMG: it's official!

Technical partnership confirmed between the two, V8s are guaranteed...



So the rumours were true; Mercedes-AMG and Aston Martin will collaborate on future models. An announcement today confirmed a letter of intent has been signed on a move 'towards a technical partnership'.

Coming to an Aston near you soon...
Coming to an Aston near you soon...
A partnership that initially seems more advantageous to Aston rather than AMG. It's no secret that Aston Martin urgently requires new powertrain technology, a 6.0-litre V12 and 4.7-litre V8 not suited to selling vehicles in markets with stringent emissions laws. This latest agreement will allow Aston Martin to launch a new generation of models incorporating 'cutting-edge technology and newly-developed V8 powertrains'.

It's not as if AMG doesn't have a few V8s in its stable. Whilst the 6208cc unit that thunders away in the C63 isn't long for this world, the 5.5-litre twin-turbo found in the S63(and nearly every other Merc) would surely be a perfect fit for the larger Astons. Moreover, the naturally aspirated, cylinder-deactivating 420hp variant, as found in the SLK55, could presumably work in something like a V8 Vantage.

The proposed deal will also give Aston access to 'certain components of electric/electronic architecture'. Along with the mention of cutting edge tech, it can be surmised that a hybrid powertrain is probably on the cards. Aston has recently displayed its abilities with hydrogen, although a conventional hybrid appears likely in the immediate future. Furthermore, this should allow Aston to upgrade its rather dated infotainment technology.

A more efficient Aston, still with a V8? Sounds good!
A more efficient Aston, still with a V8? Sounds good!
So what does AMG gain? Today's announcement outlines that Daimler AG 'will own a stake of up to five per cent non-voting shares in Aston Martin depending on the progress of the agreement'. But with both engineering teams working together, a transfer of skills between the two is surely inevitable also.

AMG's head Ola Kallenius commented that the deal is 'a real win-win for both sides' and 'proof of AMG's technological and performance expertise'.

Ian Minards, Aston's Product Development Director, added that working with AMG whilst remaining independent 'points to a very bright future for the company'. Indeed it does!

As yet, there aren't any firm details on how the partnership will progress. We'll be sure to share any news as soon as it arrives.

Author
Discussion

myhandle

Original Poster:

1,182 posts

173 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
quotequote all
Well, the use of Mercedes AMG engines doesn't make the Zonda and Huayra short on personality, so this could work fine.

Charlie Michael

2,750 posts

183 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
quotequote all
myhandle said:
Well, the use of Mercedes AMG engines doesn't make the Zonda and Huayra short on personality, so this could work fine.
Hmm, the 7.3 in a Vanquish cloud9

pagani1

683 posts

201 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
quotequote all
Oh my golly it's happened. Great news for Aston Martin's future. I presume that they will get AMG's bespoke service and unique engineering as supplied to Horacio Pagani's establishment. The good news is that owners will still have a plated engine that reads engine built by ....at AMG Mercedes.
If the numbers come up then I am happy to commit to an Aston with an AMG engine in the near future. Well Done everybody involved in bringing this to fruition.

toppstuff

13,698 posts

246 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
quotequote all
Personally, I have'nt thought of engines as really being a weak point of Aston. Of course, there is the future to consider and I am sure that the current Aston V8 and V12's are not really cutting edge in terms of technology, but they do a great job IMO. In other words, I am not sure an AMG engined Aston would be any nicer to drive than the current engined cars.

What is more important IMO is chassis and platforms. This is where Aston are looking a bit old IMO.

Nick644

241 posts

266 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
quotequote all
Definitely be interested in a stunning looking British built Aston with the latest AMG engine and decent gearbox. Great combination, just needs a diet now, 150kgs less would be good.

RobCrezz

7,892 posts

207 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
quotequote all
Fantastic!

Love Astons, love AMG.

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
quotequote all
Certainly a good thing for Aston's future. Producing custom engines for small(ish)-volume cars is never very financially attractive and if they're going to buy them in, they probably couldn't have picked a better source.

JMC1

567 posts

234 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
quotequote all
I am not sure if this is good or bad.

On one hand it means Aston can now spend less on engine development and just take what AMG have on the shelf have it tweaked and away we go.

I know a lot of Jaguar parts went into DB7's and the newer V8 but we kind of all turned a blind eye to that as it least was sort of British.

On the other hand it is becoming ever more a kit car and less of a bespoke pedigree item like a Ferrari is. Peter Wheeler strived for years to put his own engines in TVR instead of Rovers to give the car pedigree. Yes Yes I know how that ended.

So financial security or the beginning of the end perhaps they should just buy an off the shelf Corvette engine and stick that in the US version cars.

Haggleburyfinius

6,593 posts

185 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
quotequote all
kambites said:
Certainly a good thing for Aston's future. Producing custom engines for small(ish)-volume cars is never very financially attractive and if they're going to buy them in, they probably couldn't have picked a better source.
Exactly.

161BMW

1,697 posts

164 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
quotequote all
This is interesting ....

T1berious

2,242 posts

154 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
quotequote all
Brilliant news!

I wonder how long until they'll start fitting AMG power plants? With any luck it will be timed with fresh models.

Seriously, a new design with AMG power? What's not to like! smile

mwstewart

7,554 posts

187 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
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Fantastic news, for sure biggrin

UH-Matt

2,172 posts

239 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
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Long time AM fan but have been saying recently they are being left behind. I think this is JUST what they needed. Good news imho.

Krikkit

26,500 posts

180 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
quotequote all
JMC1 said:
...words.
Agree completely - I wouldn't like the idea of buying an Aston with a borrowed Mercedes engine, even though AMG make some of the best units out there at the moment.

RichieB1973

54 posts

143 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
quotequote all
I wonder if the new owner of TVR is reading this,..........................?
idea

JonRB

74,402 posts

271 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
quotequote all
Although I can see the economic benefit to Aston Martin, I can't help feeling a little sad at the news. Part of the allure of an Aston is the fact that they have a long history of handbuilt in-house engines. An outsourced customer engine, even from someone as respected as AMG, just seems slightly less special. And, yes, I am well aware that Pagani uses AMG engines.

Gorbyrev

1,160 posts

153 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
quotequote all
Mmmm, Astons with a dirty AMG exhaust soundtrack cloud9

collateral

7,238 posts

217 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
quotequote all
Hrm.

I was under the impression that you could still buy one with 3 pedals if you wanted to, so will this spell the end of the manual Aston Martin?

Megaflow

9,347 posts

224 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
quotequote all
Krikkit said:
JMC1 said:
...words.
Agree completely - I wouldn't like the idea of buying an Aston with a borrowed Mercedes engine, even though AMG make some of the best units out there at the moment.
Err, so how is it any different to an Aston with a borrowed Jaguar engine?

Or:
1) A Rolls Royce with a borrowed BMW engine?
2) A Mini with a borrowed Peugeot engine?
3) A Range Rover with a borrowed Ford engine?
4) A Pagani with a borrowed AMG Engine?
5) A Lamborginihi with a borrowed Audi engine?
6) etc etc etc...

JonRB said:
Although I can see the economic benefit to Aston Martin, I can't help feeling a little sad at the news. Part of the allure of an Aston is the fact that they have a long history of handbuilt in-house engines. An outsourced customer engine, even from someone as respected as AMG, just seems slightly less special. And, yes, I am well aware that Pagani uses AMG engines.
Those handbuilt engines that have been mostly built at Ford Bridgend since the mid 90's?

Fantastic news for Aston. Despite the press release putting a gloss on it, I'm not sure there is much more in it for AMG than simply selling engines, etc and making money, not that that's a bad thing!

Edited by Megaflow on Thursday 25th July 12:17


Edited by Megaflow on Thursday 25th July 12:18

longblackcoat

5,047 posts

182 months

Thursday 25th July 2013
quotequote all
JMC1 said:
I am not sure if this is good or bad.
Almost entirely good - the current Aston engines are at least half a steop behind the opposition, and despite tghe power outputs, never feel that fast, or as least, as fast as they should.

AMG-engined cars, on the other hand, positively ripple with muscle. Exactly the sort of engine that Aston should be using; as they seem unable or unwilling to develop engines as good as are needed, an AMG buy-in has to be good news. And, ultimately, don't be surprised if Aston end up as part of the Mercedes group; again, no bad thing from my perspective, as the Germans in charge of Rolls-Royce and Bentley seem to have been very good stewards.