If any further proof of the involvement of Mercedes-Benz in the development of Aston Martin’s next generation of models was needed, this is it.
One of our spies came close enough to a prototype for the replacement of Aston Martin’s DB9, which we hear will be called the DB11 (not confirmed), to take a bunch of photos of the car’s interior revealing a multitude of Mercedes-Benz parts sourced from the S-Class family.
These include the digital instrument panel, the center console Comand infotainment system complete with a rotary knob surrounded by switches for chassis settings, the steering wheel mounted buttons, and the controls for the air-conditioning system that were temporarily positioned on the passenger side of the console.
Aston Martin has already confirmed that their ‘strategic partnership’ with Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz will include electrical and electronic architecture together with powerplants and transmissions.
Understandably, the S-Class sourced interior parts used on the DB11 prototype are not in final production form, and we suspect that Aston will cover up the underlying Mercedes tech with uniquely designed bits by the time the car reaches the market.
Built around a new bonded aluminum platform, the DB11 has been spied testing a turbocharged V12, but according to the latest intel, it’s not entirely sure if this engine is a further development of the Ford-sourced and -built twelve-cylinder or if Aston is moving to Mercedes-AMG V12s.
Either way, it should produce more than 600hp, possibly opening the way for a new base model fitted with Mercedes-AMG’s new 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 used in the C63 and AMG GT models with over 500hp. Mercedes is likely to provide its latest automatic transmissions for both units.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
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