An all-new Mercedes-Benz platform designed for the next-generation SLK and SL sportcars will underpin future Aston Martin sports cars, while the British brand’s first SUV will share its basic structure with the next GL-Class, according to the latest rumours. Latest rumblings from Germany say that Mercedes-Benz’s forthcoming modular sports car architecture (MSA) which is still at an early design stage will underpin the fourth-generation SLK and seventh-generation SL which is due in 2019 and 2020 respectively and will likely to replace Aston Martin‘s ageing VH architecture currently in the DB9, Rapide, Vanquish and Vantage.
Debuting in 2004 in the DB9, the VH platform has underpinned every Aston Martin model since, with the exception of theOne-77 supercar and the now-discontinued Toyota iQ-based Cygnet. The fresh speculation comes on the back of last week’s rumors that the German car maker is considering purchasing the iconic British marque, following its acquisition of a five per cent stake in Aston last July.
Aston’s use of the MSA platform makes further sense for future models as, apart from being able to suit a large number of body styles, it is also being developed to support plug-in and autonomous car technology. Also set to share its basic structure or modular high architecture (MHA) with the upcoming GL-Class due in 2018, an Aston Martin SUV is also believed to be in the pipeline, though, it will not simply be a production version of the Lagonda concept first seen at the 2009 Geneva motor show. The original concept was based on the GL-Class of the time.
Mercedes-Benz has also previously agreed to supply new V8 engines and electronic architecture components to Aston Martin in exchange for the five per cent stake back in July, three months before insiders from both companies hinted that the pair could further their partnership to include sharing platforms.
