Could the Rapide be the first Aston hybrid?
Aston Martin is looking to Mercedes hybrid technology to get around increasing emissions laws, it has been reported.
Sports car manufacturers such as Porsche and Aston Martin are being forced to look at ways to lower the CO2 levels of their cars due to schemes like the new £25 Congestion Charge and new EU proposals.
Aston doesn’t have the financial clout to develop whole new powertrains and its own hybrid technology so it could now be looking to established manufacturers such as Mercedes for help.
In December PistonHeads reported that the two carmakers were in talks and the result could be that Aston uses not only the hybrid tech but also smaller V6 and V8 engines.
Last month Mercedes officials also reportedly visited Aston’s Gaydon facility.
The suggestion is that Aston would use hybrid technology as a boost for the smaller motors to up their power.