Aston Martin Tie-Up With Mercedes to Give Lagonda a Rolls-Royce Rival
Rumors of a partnership between Aston Martin and Mercedes-Benz surfaced quite some time ago, but according to a new report a deal between has been stuck between the two luxury marques – one that will benefit plans both firms have for their boutique luxury brands.
The terms of the tie-up will see Aston Martin get the GL platform from Mercedes on which to build its Lagonda SUV, which should be priced in the range of $250,000. Aston will also get access to new Mercedes engine technology, with the new twin-turbo 4.7-liter V8 a likely candidate for the Lagonda.
In return, Aston will develop the next-generation Maybach models, based off the upcoming Mercedes S-Class chassis. Mercedes is betting on a recovered economy and demand in China to help keep the Maybach brand economically viable. But that’s not all.
For its efforts Aston Martin will also be rewarded with access to the S-Class chassis to build a Rolls-Royce rivaling Lagonda sedan that would cost as much as $350,000. The British sports car maker may even use the chassis of the SLS to replace its current VH architecture, which is used for every model in Aston’s lineup.
The first fruits of this joint-venture will be on display at this Fall’s Frankfurt Auto Show, with Maybach set to show-off its new Aston Martin-built luxury saloon.
[Source: Car & Driver]
With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.
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