Click above for a high-res gallery of the Aston Martin N400 V8 Vantage.
What began as a rumor that Mercedes-Benz would begin supplying Aston Martin with engines has evolved into a full-blown partnership that may include both automakers co-developing platforms and technology. The newest report comes courtesy of Autocar, suggesting that M-B is considering purchasing a stake in Aston Martin and the Kuwaiti Investment Authority would in turn receive a seven-percent slice of the Daimler AG pie.
The partnership would make sense on several levels. Aston Martin, which is a small fish in a very large pool, will need to purchase major components from mainstream suppliers once its ties with Ford are officially severed. Imagine AMG-levels of power nestled inside Aston's sensuous sheet metal. Yum. But the partnership wouldn't be one sided. Recent reports coming out of Germany say that M-B is looking to employ a lightweight aluminum platform for the next generation SL. Aston Martin has the technology to help develop such an architecture, and with Mercedes stepping away from McLaren next year after production of the SLR ends, M-B needs a new supercar manufacturer to join the party.Thanks for the tip, Mike!
[Source: Autocar]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
whofan @ Apr 4th 2008 7:38PM
Diamler is finding another host to bleed dry?
wormyguy @ Apr 4th 2008 7:50PM
Or the other way round. . .
I'd be surprised if AM has ever made a profit. Period.
GT @ Apr 6th 2008 7:10PM
yea, (as a second opinion) yes, AM finally started to turn in profit...
as a side note, lol the center armrest is in the same shape as the rumored Stig's nipple LMAO
(Nurburgring)
zamafir @ Apr 5th 2008 12:59AM
Dude do you follow the automotive industry at all? Part of the ruckus about ford selling Aston was that they finally were making a profit.
Franz @ Apr 4th 2008 8:01PM
I just can't help but think about the children that this marriage might produce... AMG power in Aston Martin sheet metal? Could be a very, very good thing.
ALEXDB9 @ Apr 4th 2008 8:16PM
Eh, maybe Merc can supply the extra 100 hp that the whole line up is missing. Man that N400 looks good.
To wormyguy, AM has turned a profit.
Will @ Apr 4th 2008 8:57PM
I love that any news about Aston is reason to post the V12 Vantage RS again. God, I want one.
Jim @ Apr 4th 2008 9:16PM
great, something else for them to destroy.
Korona @ Apr 4th 2008 9:43PM
Good move.
Aston Martin makes sense alongside Mercedes and vice-versa.
Noidor @ Apr 4th 2008 9:47PM
Yea Chrysler, compromised SLR, Smart, F1 fiasco, etc etc. But then a again Zetsche is at the helm, perhaps things will be different.
Seoultrain @ Apr 4th 2008 10:37PM
Would anyone buy a SL63 when you could get the same engine in a Vantage?
George @ Apr 4th 2008 11:07PM
Mercedes engines are only impressive in a "mine is bigger than yours" kind of way. They are not very hitech nor exotic engines.
I think a Mercedes engine would move Aston down market...a big thumbs down.
zach @ Apr 4th 2008 11:12PM
i was having similar thoughts... the current m-b engine range doesn't seem to mesh very well with AM to me.
although - if m-b is looking for bigger volume for the pagani V12, i may reconsider.
B-Rad @ Apr 5th 2008 12:14AM
Maybe they would keep engine sharing out of the deal?
I personally am a little disgusted with the idea of this. I'm kind of tired of seeing the Germans picking up British marks. It'd be nice if Aston Martin could make it on their own, but I doubt that will happen.
What if Fiat took AM? Then there could possibly be some Ferrari/AM stuff going on. But even if that happened, I'd rather see AM stick to their British roots.
Tourian @ Apr 5th 2008 1:28PM
So wait, M-B engines would move them downmarket then the current Ford engines they are using?
zach @ Apr 4th 2008 11:09PM
I suppose that ultimately the ideal arrangement would be something similar to the Fiat-Ferrari relationship... ownership but hands-off. I think the coolest outcome would be if Aston could get the money to completely develop their own line of engines and then outsource them rather than vice-versa.
B-Rad @ Apr 5th 2008 12:16AM
I totally just said nearly the same thing in my reply to George, like right above your post. Great minds think alike, huh?
Midnight @ Apr 4th 2008 11:44PM
Not that i have solid fact sheet to support my claim but i have never been comfortable with the idea of MB owning a thorough breed.
MB has been trying so hard to have a super car of sort for long, but couldnt, while VW has churned out a few and BMW even though dont have a middle engine super car, have all the credentials to just wake up one day and decide to make one.
On the other hand, Mercedz has been not able to achieve this.. whatever they do, their cars stay the same luxury box on 4 wheels.
I am not sure if AM wud stay the course if MB decide to chime in on their decisions. Of course, this assumption can be totally wrong if MB is only interested in getting the technology off AM rather then dictating the Future Product line
Midnight @ Apr 4th 2008 11:45PM
Correction: When i say Owning by MB.. i meant "Mutual" collabortation, just like the ones they had with McLaren and Chrysler.
Spectacular Bid @ Apr 4th 2008 11:46PM
The rumour deal makes no sense. 7% of Daimler A.G. in exchange for just a stake of Aston Martin? That is the most absurd thing I've heard.
I love AM's cars and think they've got a fantastic lineup but lets face it - AM is a niche maker that will eventually see a slow down with the global economy. The Kuwaiti group overpaid for AM.
Daimler is more then just Mercedes its other business lines like the steadily profitable Freightliner Trucks and other holdings. Giving up 7% of that company in exchage for say just 40% of AM would be like me gving you a $1 in exchage for a dime - it would be foolish.