Aston Martin to build own straight-six, replace AMG V8

Aston Martin is currently leaning heavily on its engine deal with Mercedes-AMG, with the latter’s 4.0 litre twin-turbocharged V8 being offered on both the DB11 and the brand new Vantage. However, Gaydon is seeking to break away from this reliance and regain its independence with the development of its own straight-six, if a recent report by Autocar is correct.

According to a source close to the company, Aston has already began working on the engine – unrelated to AMG’s own 3.0 litre mill, previously tipped to be used by the company – that would be key to helping it stringent future emissions regulations. The AMG deal signed in 2013 was apparently only meant to be temporary, buying Aston time to work on its own engine, which could be based on its 5.2 litre biturbo V12.

No technical details have been revealed just yet, but the engine should make use of hybrid technology derived from the Rapide E electric vehicle programme. Autocar said that it probably won’t be a plug-in hybrid, as the company said last year such a powertrain setup still doesn’t deliver an experience that is “premium enough” for its customers. Expect a similar mild hybrid system as on the AMG straight-six.

The forthcoming DBX crossover is the most likely recipient of the new mill, although it is expected debut with the AMG V8 and Aston’s V12 first. The SUV will be launched in the fourth quarter of next year and built at a new facility in St Athan, Wales.

GALLERY: Aston Martin DBX prototype

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