Mercedes’ SUV Platform Apparently Isn’t Sporty Enough For Production Aston Martin DBX

The long-awaited Aston Martin crossover is unlikely to be mechanically related to

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by Zac Estrada

May 17, 2015 at 21:30

The long-awaited Aston Martin crossover is unlikely to be mechanically related to a Mercedes-Benz SUV, according to new comments by the British brand’s CEO.

Aston Martin’s chief Andy Palmer told Automotive News Europe this week that the production version of something like the DBX Concept crossover shown at this year’s Geneva Motor Show could use its own new sports car platform, rather than something off of the Mercedes-Benz GL.

“It just depends how high off the ground it could go,” Palmer said. “I don’t exclude the possibility of using some [Mercedes’] parts, but I would say very much the primary route is our platform.”

This news is somewhat of a surprise, given how long it’s been rumored Aston would use Daimler’s vast SUV parts bin for its own vehicles. Daimler has a 5 percent stake in Aston Martin, through a partnership to supply engines and other parts for its next-generation of cars.

But the DBX in itself wasn’t exactly what many had pictured when Aston Martin first hinted at producing a crossover in a bid to expand its market reach. In fact, the British firm may be taking a route very much unlike Bentley in making a hyper-luxury SUV. And that should be applauded, however they manage to build it.