Photo: SB-Medien
Aston Martin is currently in the midst of a reinvention process, with the British company aiming to expand its clientele by offering a never-before imagine model line-up. One of the biggest changes? Obviously Hybrid and electric vehicles.
Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer recently spoke to autocar on the matter and didn’t exclude the idea of an expanded range that would include hybrids and EVs. For now, we can only see the extremities of such a line-up, namely the 800 hp Vulcan track weapon and the upcoming DBX crossover.
However, we can simply turn to the benchmark of GT car builders, Ferrari, when it comes to clues on how such a company makes its fleet greener. As you know Maranello now uses turbocharging for its V8s, while its V12 remain naturally-aspirated, but benefit from hybridisation.
Aston could very well do the same. As for the introduction of a hybrid powertrain, we have another example in the business, one that’s geographically closer to Gaydon. We’re talking about Bentley here. Once the Bentayga SUV brings the first ever hybrid option of the brand, there will be a petrol-electric powertrain in every future model line.
For now, Andy Palmer is obviously testing the waters - “Imagine something like a 4x4, 1000bhp silent Rapide. I think ‘Power, Beauty, Soul’ doesn’t say it has to be a gasoline engine. It just needs to be really powerful, really beautiful and set your heart on fire. I’d argue that 1000bhp on the ground would probably do that for you. So that’s the route we could go,” Aston’s helm man said.
While the CEO said we won’t see a hybrid Aston-Martin on the short run, the move is part of a strategy to move the company past its current annual sales volume of 7,000 units.
How will Aston face the upcoming average emissions challenges?
Well, for one thing, Aston will go turbo. We’ve already talked about the company’s engine deal with Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler. We’ve also spotted the next Aston to arrive on the market, the DB9 replacement, which is tentatively called DB11, testing with turbocharged engines.However, we can simply turn to the benchmark of GT car builders, Ferrari, when it comes to clues on how such a company makes its fleet greener. As you know Maranello now uses turbocharging for its V8s, while its V12 remain naturally-aspirated, but benefit from hybridisation.
Aston could very well do the same. As for the introduction of a hybrid powertrain, we have another example in the business, one that’s geographically closer to Gaydon. We’re talking about Bentley here. Once the Bentayga SUV brings the first ever hybrid option of the brand, there will be a petrol-electric powertrain in every future model line.
For now, Andy Palmer is obviously testing the waters - “Imagine something like a 4x4, 1000bhp silent Rapide. I think ‘Power, Beauty, Soul’ doesn’t say it has to be a gasoline engine. It just needs to be really powerful, really beautiful and set your heart on fire. I’d argue that 1000bhp on the ground would probably do that for you. So that’s the route we could go,” Aston’s helm man said.
While the CEO said we won’t see a hybrid Aston-Martin on the short run, the move is part of a strategy to move the company past its current annual sales volume of 7,000 units.
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