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Electric Aston Martin Rapide could be on the way

Aston Martin is looking into building an electric version of the Rapide to launch in the next two or three years. Andy Palmer, the company's new chief executive, said so to the Wall Street Journal at the New York Auto Show this week. A spokesman confirmed the plans to Autoblog. The project would bring in an as-yet undisclosed partner that could come from Silicon Valley, and while we don't know at this point just which company that would be, Palmer said it's not Tesla. Having formerly held senior positions at the Renault Nissan Alliance, Palmer has a wealth of experience with EVs that he brings with him to the British automaker that was recently infused with cash. This wouldn't be the first time that Aston would be experimenting with the prospect of electric propulsion. It showcased the DBX electric crossover coupe concept at the Geneva Motor Show, and even fielded a hybrid hydrogen-powered version of the Rapide in a 24-hour endurance race at the Nurburgring a couple of years ago. The Rapide is Aston's four-door model, based closely on the DB9. It was launched in 2010 after a concept version from 2006. After initially being produced under contract by Magna Steyr in Austria, Aston moved assembly back home in 2012. A revised Rapide S ensued the following year, upping output from its 6.0-liter V12 engine from 470 horsepower to 550 and swapping the six-speed automatic for an eight-speed. According to the WSJ, Palmer also confirmed a new crossover and large luxury sedan in the pipeline, the latter to compete with Rolls-Royce and both of which we expect will wear the Lagonda badge revived by the new Taraf launched in Dubai.

Behold the Aston Martin SUV: Officially named DBX, coming in 2019

It's official. The Aston Martin DBX SUV is named and it's on its way, folks. Oh, and Aston really wants you to know it can drive on dirt. Every official photo we have of the thing shows it doing something off the pavement. In other definite news on the SUV, it will be revealed in the last quarter of 2019 and be built at Aston Martin's new St. Athan factory in the U.K. Everything else about the tall Aston will remain a mystery for now. But we finally have a decent look at what's coming. The most obvious feature is the V8 Vantage-style grille. It's the most outlandish and distinguishing styling element on the Vantage, but we're not so sure about it on the DBX. There's plenty that looks unfinished behind the fake grille-looking piece, so we wouldn't be prepared to say that the design is what we'll see on the production SUV quite yet. It looks like standard, boring SUV fare down the sides, but then it gets funky in the rear. To our eyes, it looks like there are two spoilers back there — one extending from the roof, then another ducktail-looking thing coming out of the hatch. Once again, the design doesn't strike us as fully-baked yet, so it's tough to say what the rear end is going to end up like. The little exhaust outlets poking out of the bumper are pretty cool, though. This prototype pictured is being put through a Welsh rally stage for testing purposes, one of many different environments in which Aston says it wants the DBX to excel. The other notable spot is the Nurburgring, but we'd expect an Aston Martin SUV to handle well. We don't think an electrified version is coming right away, but Aston is building it in the same factory it says will be the brand's "Home of Electrification." It's safe to assume a hybrid or fully-electric vehicle from Aston will be coming when we get to the next decade, especially with the way Aston is talking. Related video: Featured Gallery Aston Martin DBX prototype View 13 Photos Image Credit: Aston Martin Aston Martin Crossover SUV Luxury Off-Road Vehicles Performance aston martin dbx

AMG-powered Aston Martins still years away

After flirting for several years, Mercedes-Benz and Aston Martin have finally tied the knot. Just don't expect to see any offspring to result from the union for at least three or four years.
This according to Auto Express, which spoke with Daimler chief Dr. Dieter Zetsche at the Frankfurt Motor Show last week. AE reports that a new range of AMG-developed turbocharged V8s, transmissions and electrical components will make their way into the successors to the current V8 Vantage and DB9, but that these models are still a few years off.
Purists might balk at the thought of a Mercedes-powered Aston holding true to the brand's heritage. But while David Brown (for whom the DB range is named) may have steered clear of shoehorning in Detroit muscle into his cars, the entirety of the company's current range is powered by engines borrowing technology from Ford, and that arrangement seems to have worked well for Aston until now. And if you're still skeptical, look no further than Pagani and its AMG-sourced engines and you should have all the proof you need that the new relationship between Daimler and Aston could be a success.