Photo: Catalin Garmacea
They may not like it very much, but in order not to go extinct like the dodo bird, Aston Martin need to mix crossover SUVs with their "conventional" cars. For the longest time, everybody assumed that would imply a Mercedes-Benz was going to be re-bodied, but their recently appointed CEO says that's not the case.
Andy Palmer, who took up the job in September 2014, said the platforms Mercedes-Benz uses for its SUVs just aren't sporty enough. The announcement comes just a couple of months after a new concept called the DBX was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. Unlike the older Lagonda concept that was underpinned by the GL-Class, this looked like a jacked up version of the DB10.
Of course, the Aston CEO is right because Mercedes SUVs are more tuned towards the comfort side of things. The brand new GLE Coupe tips the scales at around 2.2 tons, which is comparable to Porsche or BMW models. However, the V12 Vanquish is just 1.7 tons, and some consider it to be heavy for a sportscar.
"It just depends how high off the ground it could go. I don't exclude the possibility of using some [Mercedes'] parts, but I would say very much the primary route is our platform," Andy Palmer told Automotive News.
We're pretty sure, however, that some customers want a real SUV like the Porsche Cayenne. They will undoubtedly be disappointed by the DBX because it's got limited access, a small trunk and somewhat awkward looks.
By contrast, the SUV that Bentley will launch soon will be fast in a straight line, but probably won't grip corners like a Porsche 911. The B-boys are even going to offer a plug-in version.
Editor's note: Dear Aston Martin, the SUV doesn't need to be right; it has to be right now!
Of course, the Aston CEO is right because Mercedes SUVs are more tuned towards the comfort side of things. The brand new GLE Coupe tips the scales at around 2.2 tons, which is comparable to Porsche or BMW models. However, the V12 Vanquish is just 1.7 tons, and some consider it to be heavy for a sportscar.
"It just depends how high off the ground it could go. I don't exclude the possibility of using some [Mercedes'] parts, but I would say very much the primary route is our platform," Andy Palmer told Automotive News.
We're pretty sure, however, that some customers want a real SUV like the Porsche Cayenne. They will undoubtedly be disappointed by the DBX because it's got limited access, a small trunk and somewhat awkward looks.
By contrast, the SUV that Bentley will launch soon will be fast in a straight line, but probably won't grip corners like a Porsche 911. The B-boys are even going to offer a plug-in version.
Editor's note: Dear Aston Martin, the SUV doesn't need to be right; it has to be right now!
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