It’s been reported that the hybrid V6 unit from the Valhalla will make its way to most of Aston Martin’s other models shortly after launch.
The all-new engine is scheduled to go into production in 2022, when it will replace the Mercedes-AMG 4.0-liter V8 currently used in the Vantage, DB11 and the DBX luxury SUV. The first model to get the hybrid unit following its debut on the Valhalla will be the 2023 Vanquish.
“Mercedes have made no secret of where their engine technology is moving to, and obviously we don’t foresee four-cylinder engines in our Astons,” said the company’s CEO Andy Palmer in an interview with Autocar. “So we’ve got to make our own journey.”
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Palmer went on to confirm that the Valhalla’s hybrid V6 unit will be able to work alongside existing transmissions, while making at least as much power as the AMG-sourced unit.
“As you move on, you normally expect a power increase, not a decrease,” added the Aston Martin boss. “You’re supposed to do that even with a smaller power unit, so there’s no way our customers are going to expect to step backwards.”
While the new engine will be the carmaker’s most power yet, it will be de-tuned and reconfigured once it reaches models other than the Valhalla.
As for what the hybrid V6 will be like as an auditory experience, Palmer had this to say: “The key is sound. Tuning the pipes to make it sound like an Aston. Obviously we can use the hybrid system and the electric motor to fill in on torque, so you can compensate for the cylinder size with the electrical assistance.”
“As long as it feels like a V8 and sounds majestic, I think it’s a perfectly sensible way to go and a lot more sensible than a [four-cylinder] would be.”
