Aston seeks new bond

Muscular motors from the madcap AMG division of Mercedes-Benz could find a home at Aston Martin as the British brand searches for new partners following its divorce from Ford.

Aston still has an engine deal with Ford which provides the power for its current V8 and V12 sports cars, but is already researching new directions for the time after the blue-oval contract expires in 2012.

It will not talk officially about any potential partners, and Aston chiefs from managing director Dr Ulrich Bez down say they are happy with Ford, but future regulation changes could force a new approach.

Daimler has already emerged as a potential partner thanks to its work on fuel-efficient powerplants suitable for sports cars. They are vital for the next-generation AMG models as Mercedes works to cut fuel use and C02 production without losing the performance edge for cars which are currently mostly powered by 6.2-litre V8s.

The upcoming Benz motors have appeal, but Aston Martin's director of product development, Ian Minards, says nothing is a foregone conclusion.

He admits Aston will need a partner, but emphasises the need for powerplants — and a range of other components — which still reflect the British brand's history and products.

“We don't have the expertise to do all our own development, but I know where to go to get it,” Minards says.

“Our objective is to be best in class. With Aston Martin products.”

He talks in general terms about engines, gearboxes and even suspension systems as areas where Aston is talking with potential partners outside the Ford empire. And he says the company has hosted a lot more visits, including one recently from Bosche, since the American giant sold the company to a private consortium led by British businessman David Richards.

“A lot more people seem keen to talk with us now,” Minards says.

And he emphasises the work that has gone into the Aston engines, even under Ford.

“When we started the V12 was a Ford Duratec and the V8 was from Jaguar. I'd like to think that now these are Aston Martin powerplants,” he says.

“The basic architecture is the same, but all of the details are Aston.

“The engines are still built for us by Ford in Germany. The engine area was something they held onto after the split in ownership.”

He says the latest 4.7-litre Aston V8, just fitted to a mildly reworked Vantage, shows the development done by the company.

“We have done a lot of work. We have come a long way.

“We are now down to 333 grams of C02 per kilometre, which is about what you would expect.” FORDING AHEAD

Talk of a new engine partner at Aston Martin is brushed aside by company chairman, David Richards.

The longtime Aston owner, and boss of the Prodrive motoring and motorsport empire, tells carsguide at the Nurburgring in Germany there are many potential partners for future technology.

“We have talk to everybody at the moment about engines. We have to decide the best direction,” Richards says.

“But we still have engines from Ford until 2012.”

He admits it is the same with all sorts of future development plans.

But he refuses to discuss a potential deal to take Mercedes-Benz engines, or rumours that Daimler of Germany could eventually take control of Aston Martin.

“The company is not for sale,” Richards says sharply.