Aston Martin Delays BEV Model, Targeting More Hybrids and Keeping V-12Aston Martin Delays BEV Model, Targeting More Hybrids and Keeping V-12

Aston Martin is delaying the production of its first battery-electric vehicle while concentrating on a hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain range.

In a roundtable interview with European media outlets, new CEO Adrian Hallmark says the planned BEV will not see the light of day until the end of the decade, four years after the automaker’s original plans to launch it in 2026.

It seems clear that Hallmark, who came to the sports luxury brand after leaving as head of Bentley in October, is responding to near-term projections that consumers will remain less enamored of BEVs than hybrids, especially in high-end brands such as Aston Martin.

He adds, “We’ll still have a first electric car in this decade but we’ll add hybrid derivatives as well through to 2035.” The BEV will also be joined by a new PHEV in 2030.

Hallmark also envisages a V-12 internal-combustion-engine powertrain surviving in limited-model version until at least 2032.

The next-generation hybrid powertrains that Hallmark is planning will also power a single SUV model, and the brand will focus on producing more limited-edition specials and personalized trims.

The DBX, to tap into continued consumer demand for the segment, will be modified to increase the brand's differentiation, in terms of power and dynamic performance, from rival automakers, says Hallmark.

Aston Martin will eventually seek to create its own bespoke battery packs for the BEV and PHEV models.

Hallmark sums up: “The plan for five years – Vantage, DB12, Vanquish, DBX and Valhalla – will be a core part of the portfolio, as will a number of specials as we go forward. Maybe not as frequently, and even more differentiated. Within Vantage, there will be multiple versions of Vantage to approach customer needs.

“DBX is the growth opportunity. SUVs are still the biggest segment in luxury. They’re not the most image-building but in terms of sales, more than 50% are SUVs. We see a huge opportunity there. Looking at sedans, there’s only two that are successful, and they don’t really sell in Europe. There could be a mild hybrid option for some derivatives, but PHEV will be the core in our first-step strategy.”