Power freaks, fear not. Aston Martin’s partnership with Mercedes-AMG to put out a new V8 engine does not doom the AM11 V12 that we’ve all grown to know and love. The big and little engines will remain as options to go along side their other V8 offering with the Vantage.
VH architecture has powered the engines for over a decade. This latest partnership is a continued sign of expansion, particularly in American east coast markets and parts of Asia. With stores opening up in New Jersey and other areas, the exotic car company is poised to grow beyond its exotic nameplate to compete with the high-end luxury brands. They even have one coming out that’s under $100,000.
This means a few things for Aston Martin. First, it means that they’ll likely offer the V8 option in more cars than the Vantage. Second, it means that they’re embracing the concept of being more attainable to the sub-rich. Third, it gives them some clout to take advantage of other partnerships that have eluded them in the past. They are one of the few “independent” exotics that does not have a major manufacturer owning the company.
As Autoblog puts it:
As for the VH architecture, you can expect it to sail off into the proverbial sunset once the new platform is ready, though we wouldn’t be surprised to see it phased out more gradually than abruptly. A 13-year tradition doesn’t end overnight, after all.
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