After reigniting rumors that Aston Martin could use Mercedes GL running gear to underpin its SUV, the rumor mill confirms them again, with additional details and further speculation to boot.
US magazine Automobile reminds us that unofficial talks of using the GL’s platform are not new (having been sparked in 2009, when Aston showed off the Lagonda concept that used it), but adds an extra ingreditent to the concoction – Mercedes’ new platform that will be used for the next-gen SL and SLK due in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Called MSA (short for modular sports car architecture), it sounds just about perfrect as a base for upcoming front-engined Astons, as a lightweight and modern alternative to the current VH platform.
The supposed SUV would not use the current GL as a base, but it could be built on the same running gear as the upcoming X167 model (GL’s 2018 replacement).
The only aspect that could hold all of this back is the financial one. A member of the Mercedes board who asked to remain anonymous said: “Dieter (Zetsche) is quite chuffed about the Aston thing and he is willing to let them in on X167,” but “money, however, is a big issue. Aston’s £500 million [$833.5 million] four-year investment plan is just not enough when you need to renew your entire model range and think about adding an SUV.”
Daimler purchasing a larger (controlling) chunk of Aston is also pushed forth as a possibility.
By Andrei Nedelea
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