Aston Martin & Maybach tie-up detailed - rumors

2011 Maybach facelift 22.04.2010

Maybach concept rumored for Frankfurt debut

According a recent report, Aston Martin and Daimler have signed an engine and platform sharing agreement.

While this has been rumored since 2008, Car and Driver is reporting the two companies signed an agreement in late 2010 which calls for Aston Martin to build the redesigned Maybach at their factory in Gaydon, England. More interestingly, C&D says the car will be based on the 2013 Mercedes S-Class and will be previewed as a concept at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show.

In return, Daimler will reportedly give Aston the M/GL platform as well as the 4.7-liter twin-turbo V8 with 435 PS (320 kW / 429 hp) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. Furthermore, the company would also gain an undisclosed diesel engine, hybrid technology, and the 2013 S-Class platform for the Lagonda sedan.

We're taking everything with a grain of salt, but we'll likely find out more at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Source: Car & Driver via Autoblog

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vovaUA

It's about time Aston got some up to date engines. Its a shame that best looking cars use old ford technology.

March 30, 2011 4:35 pm

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9TNine

IMO Mercedes should give up on: 1. The Smart car, 2. The Maybach!

March 30, 2011 4:41 pm

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2 replies

MRAD

Why on earth would they do that when the Smart brand is incredibly popular in the European and increasingly so in the Asian market. Added to that, we have the fact that Aston Martin is building the new Maybachs, meaning that they will be adding a whole new twist to the brand. For this point of view Toyota should give up on Lexus, VW on Bentley and Lamborghini.

March 31, 2011 3:52 am

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Mikeado

The Smart brand has not been entirely successful. Their other two models (ForFour/Roadster-Coupe) had to be axed due to low sales, but the little ForTwo seems to be quietly soldiering on now that it has green credentials. Maybach have been similarly troubled, overshadowed by Rolls-Royce and Bentley, and seemed on the way out not long ago. I think AM are saving them in a way.

March 31, 2011 6:04 am

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wcfuser14369

I am not sure I believe this. For a start there isn't capacity to build anything more at Gaydon without a new factory; why do you think the Rapide is built in Austria? And with such a specialist facility why would Aston build a Maybach built on a mass produced car like the S-Class? It would more sense for Maybach's to be constructed in an extension to the S-Class production line. Too many flaws in this story.

March 30, 2011 4:52 pm

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1 reply

sideskraper

Did you miss the part where Aston will be utilising the next gen S platform? You don't see that as a significant part of the picture of this possible arrangement? An expansion of their facilities to accommodate their future range is logical. Building a low volume near bespoke vehicle based on the same platform would be a small ask. For Mercedes having specialised high end lower volume assembly facilities that can accommodate a large degree of customisation is restrictive and part of the reason why the Maybach is currently so unreasonably expensive. Utilising Aston's facilities will allow them to make a better case for Maybach into the future.

March 31, 2011 11:09 pm

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Rotaermel

The Maybach was predetermined to fail from the beginning. Almost no one who spends almost half a million Euros on a super luxus sedan wants a car, that ordinary people can hardly distinguish from a long S-class.

March 30, 2011 5:25 pm

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arty89

maybach looks nothing like an S-class. And of course Mercedes would share engines and platforms with Aston Martin. AM would have paid a fortune for these.

March 30, 2011 6:25 pm

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2 replies

powertech

Yes, I agree, it looks nothing like S-class. Current S-class looks way better. But, if someone were to replace the MM badge on the Maybach with Mercedes emblem, people would have believed it. Different case if people slap BMW emblem on a Rolls Royce. Just look at the facelift Maybach, it incorporated Mercedes' design language; pointy grill, bumper design.. etc. It's a good thing if Maybach is really paired up with AM, at least it won't look like a Mercedes anymore. I hope.

March 30, 2011 8:30 pm

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MRAD

As with everything the design of Maybach is highly subjective, I in fact prefer them to the current S-class, which I think looks like it has been beaten to death with an ugly stick (I prefer the more conservative styling of the previous models). To each their own.

March 31, 2011 3:54 am

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EMBJATI85

nice to of my favorite companies are becoming one

March 30, 2011 10:01 pm

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scratchy996

Astons with AMG engines, add some lightness and you got some serious Ferrari and Porsche competition.

March 31, 2011 3:06 am

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cronan

Yay! Turbos on a AM!

March 31, 2011 5:38 am

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Swifty

I can imagine pretty DBS & One-77 look a like with 6.0 V12 TT AMG engine...and 700hp!!! or AM Rapide with new V8 TT and 600hp would be p0rn :)

March 31, 2011 5:57 am

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Deutsch100

I just find it really troubling and kind of disgusting, that the Maybach with it's insane price tag, offers the interior from the LAST and DISCONTIUNUED 2001 S-Class. The current S-Class interior is leaps and bounds better than the last 2000-2006 S-class, and I cannot understand why Daimler still builds the Maybach with old and dated parts. The Maybach should offer more than an $85,000 2011 S-Class!!!

March 31, 2011 9:30 am

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2 replies

sideskraper

I've been lucky enough to have been driven in a Maybach on one occasion and I can assure you the interior is nothing like the old S class, or the new one for that matter. It is a much better, more comfortable and nicer place for a passenger than any other car I have been in. The Maybach is nicer and feels more spacious than some Learjets I've flown in.

March 31, 2011 11:14 pm

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afterace2

the steering wheel is undoubtfuly from the '01 S-Class though:)

April 1, 2011 2:57 pm

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autoficianado

sideskraper is right. If you don't know...Maybach has been a success financially for Daimler. The platform was paid for before production commenced and it was a small matter to design a new car around the platform that was killing Bentley & Roll Royce until they were bought by VW & BMW respectively. One other thing of interest...Maybach's natural competitor was Bugatti - not Rolls Royce or Bentley. Maybach & Bugatti always have cost more that a Bentley or RR....and they always will...they separate the rich from the super-rich, plutocrats and industrial magnates...

April 1, 2011 7:59 am

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GTurbo

Maybach needs 'fresh blood' product to re-stimulate interest and most definitely sales. The Exelero Biturbo Coupe was a lost opportunity that could have rivalled Bugatti's Veyron! Mercedes cannot afford to give up on such a massive potential. Aston Martin may use this probable tie-up to sort something out on Lagonda's future. The plot thickens!

April 4, 2011 6:17 am

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March 30, 2011 4:10 pm By Michael Gauthier

Filed Under: Aston Martin, European, German, Lagonda, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Rumours

Tags: 2013 Mercedes S-Class , 2013 Maybach , Lagonda sedan , Lagonda SUV , Mercedes GL , Mercedes M-Class , Mercedes GL-Class , 2013 S-Class , redesigned Maybach , Aston Martin Maybach ,
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