Aston gears up for 'ultra-luxury' era

Chairman Stroll tells Autocar what to expect from Aston's bold transformation plan

-  MARK TISSHAW

Aston Martin will reveal its product plan for the next five years - including an EV on sale in 2026 - on 27 June, chairman Lawrence Stroll has confirmed to Autocar in a wide-ranging interview.

At its capital markets day, the British company will detail "PHEVS and BEVs and the balance of ICE cars coming over the next 18 months".

That last group will be seven models to follow the new DB12 coupé: replacements for the existing line-up of Vantage, DB11 and DBS cars, with a DB12 Volante convertible tipped to arrive first.

As for PHEVS, Stroll said the technology would "last well into the 2030s", because "I don't have many customers asking me for a BEV".

That said, Aston Martin will launch its first EV in 2026, and work for it is "on schedule".

Chief creative officer Marek Reichman confirmed to Autocar that it would be a "new product" on a "new platform" - importantly not a case of "putting batteries in an old platform".

The new platform won't come from any tie-up with Geely (which recently raised its stake in Aston Martin to 17%), confirmed technical chief Roberto Fedeli.

"You will see we have a different target," said Fedeli.

"We have in mind something completely different to the technology out there already.

"Our thought is that electric isn't a powertrain but a new vehicle dynamic. For this reason, we have in mind our own map."

PRODUCTION PLANS

Aston Martin is targeting annual production of 10,000 cars, each built to order with an 18-to 24-month waiting time, and with each model range "making 10% less than the demand".