Georg Kacher reveals Merc’s future plans
Before he left AMG to join Aston Martin, Tobias Moers had sketched a provisional plan for 2025-2030 containing several daring and ambitious products, many of them all-electric, despite his reputation as an unrepentant petrolhead. All-electric SL and GT replacements are incoming, between them o ering two or four seats, but not the awkward 2+2 compromise of next year’s new SL. There’s also the possibility of a big, heavy electric crossover tentatively badged GLR AMG. Using next-generation batteries, it could have three electric motors and a power output beyond 1000bhp.
When the current two-door C/E/S-Class derivatives bite the dust, they will be replaced by one coupe and one cabrio o ered with petrol, diesel, hybrid and full electric. The CLE twins will likely be a touch bigger and much more spacious than the current E-Class ones and, on paper, already outperform the S-Class derivatives.
One of the first decisions Tobias Moers needs to make in his new role at Aston Martin is whether to continue the mid-engined Vantage replacement – and the V6 engine which is part of the project. The Midlands grapevine suggests that pulling the plug on one or even both is an option. Work on the new sports car has reportedly been suspended since the beginning of the year. The V6 is a di erent matter. It could well find a home in an expanded DBX family, the success of which could fund a new four-door Rapide saloon.
Meanwhile, the Valkyrie V12 hypercar is said to be giving its creators nothing but trouble – flawed handling, noise problems and quality issues are reportedly hampering progress and tainting the bottom line. One option is to recoup some of the costs with a run of hyper-expensive specials beyond even the AMR Pro. Another option is simply to bin it.