3 Minutes
Who builds Aston Martin engines today?
Aston Martin is one of the most storied names in automotive history, but the engines beating under its hoods have come from a few different places. In recent mainstream production models, the brand relies on a technical partnership with Mercedes-AMG, while its halo and limited-run hypercars often feature bespoke powertrains developed either in-house or by specialist engineering firms.
Why Mercedes-AMG?
Since around 2018, Aston Martin has used Mercedes-AMG engines as a pragmatic and performance-oriented solution. The DB11 was the first modern Aston to receive a Mercedes-AMG-supplied V8, and that collaboration has continued across several model lines. The common engine is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, producing roughly 503 horsepower and around 675 Nm of torque in many Aston specifications. It may not have the aural poetry of a naturally aspirated V12, but it delivers ample power, modern efficiency, and compliance with tightening emissions regulations.
Using AMG powertrains makes sense on multiple levels:
- Faster time-to-market with a proven, reliable engine
- Lower development costs vs. building an all-new engine in-house
- Access to modern hybrid and emissions technologies from Mercedes
When does Aston Martin build its own engines?
For ultra-exclusive models, Aston Martin has invested in bespoke engines. The Valkyrie hypercar, designed with Formula 1 inspiration, uses a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 developed and built by British engineering specialist Cosworth. That unit revs to around 11,100 rpm and produces over 1,000 horsepower—a technical showpiece tailored to justify a multi-million-dollar price tag.
The revived Vanquish is another example: Aston developed a new V12 twin-turbo producing about 824 horsepower for customers seeking a traditional front-engine grand tourer with supercar performance. These bespoke powerplants are targeted at wealthy collectors and help define Aston's character beyond badge-engineered offerings.
Performance, positioning and strategy
Aston Martin’s dual approach—sourcing AMG engines for volume models while developing unique V12s for flagship hypercars—reflects both financial caution and brand strategy. With a long history of financial ups and downs and multiple changes in ownership, the company has to balance the prestige of in-house engineering with pragmatic partnerships that reduce risk.
Highlights:
- Mainstream models: Mercedes-AMG 4.0L twin-turbo V8 (about 503 hp)
- Halo hypercars: Cosworth 6.5L NA V12 (Valkyrie, ~1000+ hp)
- Flagship GTs: Aston’s own 8X4 V12 twin-turbo (~824 hp in Vanquish)
"Powerful, modern, and compliant" is the ethos for the AMG-sourced engines, while the bespoke V12s are the emotional core for collectors. Together, these strategies help Aston Martin compete in the luxury and hypercar markets without overstretching resources.
Whether you prefer the immediate punch and efficiency of a turbo V8 or the visceral drama of a high-revving V12, Aston Martin’s current engine strategy offers something for both modern performance buyers and traditionalists chasing pure automotive romance.
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