Aston Martin is set to launch eight new front-engined sports cars over the next two years, starting with a replacement for the DB11.
That model, likely to be called the Aston Martin DB12, will kick off the new model blitz that’s been three years in the making, company chairman Lawrence Stroll told the Financial Times’ Future of the Car summit today .
“It’s like watching paint dry or grass grow, but after three years we have our next generation of sports cars and we’re launching eight in the next 24 months,” he said. “We will bring new technology, have the performance of our F1 team built into the business and continue the great luxury [of cars today].”
The new Aston line-up of sports cars will include replacements for the current Aston Martin DB11, Aston Martin Vantage and Aston Martin DBS models, and the quoted number of eight models includes different variants of that trio.
Stroll hinted that the new range would include a new “above GT” model that stood alone in the market. “We have created a new sector above GT,” he said. “A real high level of luxury with a high level of performance. Something new.”
Stroll promised much-improved technology in the cars, but Aston would “bring the technology the way our customer wants it delivered,” a reference to making sure the technology isn’t introduced simply for the sake of it.
Aston Martin is also on track to launch its first electric car in 2025 and Stroll said more details will be given at the capital market day on June 27. “The software components have been decided, [and it will be done] mostly at home. We’ve hired hundreds of people and brought a lot of competition in-house. It still has to be an Aston Martin EV experience.”
The firm will also continue to grow its mid-engine lineup beyond the Aston Martin Valkyrie, starting with the Valhalla hybrid. Stroll expects around 1200-1500 Valhallas (and variants) to be made each year, and the model is being developed using wind tunnel knowledge and resources at Aston’s Silverstone-based F1 team. “There will be a mid-engined sports car that legitimately uses F1 technology,” Stroll said.
Software and manufacturing problems with the Valkyrie were now behind Aston, Stroll said, and more than 100 had been delivered. He did not rule out a future Aston Martin carrying the Valkyrie’s £3m price tag in the future as part of the company’s plan to continue offering special limited-edition models once or twice a year.
