We?ve previously told you about Aston Martin?s aspiration to create a mid-engined supercar that will be a direct rival to Ferrari, McLaren, and Lamborghini. Now we can confirm that the project is indeed happening and that it will benefit from the closer ?innovation partnership? that Aston has announced with the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team.
Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer said the company?s recent return to profitability has allowed him to confirm all parts of the brand?s ambitious product plan, one that will see the launch of seven new model ranges by 2023. The first of these was the DB11, which made its debut last year; it will be followed by replacements for the existing Vantage and Vanquish, then a production version of the DBX crossover. Beyond that, there will be two different Lagonda models and, most intriguing, a mid-engined supercar aimed squarely at rivals such as the Ferrari 488GTB and the McLaren 720S. While admitting this is a new endeavor for the brand, Palmer insisted it is an obvious direction for Aston to take as the company looks to expand production and profitability. It also will benefit from some of the lessons being learned by the Valkyrie project, Aston?s 175-unit moon rocket (pictured above).
?The majority of luxury sports-car manufacturers sit in that space,? he told C/D. ?Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren are all there. When you talk about a two-seat sports car with this level of performance, they are all in that space.
“What you have to do ...