Aston Martin won’t kill the V12
As one of the last few carmakers continuing on with V12 power, Aston Martin has committed to ensuring future models still offer 12 cylinders.
There are only a handful of mainstream car brands which offer V12 engines in their flagship products, with Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Mercedes-Mayback and Aston Martin remaining as the few still in the market.
For Aston Martin, the V12 engine is the only powerplant it still produces itself, and it’s reserved for the range-topping Vanquish, while the rest of its model lineup use Mercedes-AMG sourced V8s.
With emissions nets being drawn ever tighter, the question of whether Aston Martin can continue on with the V12 into the future was asked of its CEO Adrian Hallmark, who told the UK’s Auto Express it is safe for now – so long as it doesn’t get too popular.
“We’ve done some work to make the V12 compliant to European and US [regulations],” Hallmark said.
“If we keep our V12 sales under 1000 per year, then we’re exempt from legislation until 2035 at least.”
That shouldn’t be a problem for Aston Martin, which last year sold 5448 vehicles globally, its lowest figure since the COVID pandemic-impacted 2020 where it shifted just 3394 vehicles.
While it didn’t provide a model-by-model breakdown of sales, even the DBX – by far its best individual seller – racked up only 1717 deliveries, while the DB11, DB12, DBS and Vanquish totalled 3549 deliveries.
According to Hallmark, the V12 in the Vanquish and other top-tier models won’t require plug-in hybrid assistance to remain on the right side of the emissions rules, with mild-hybrid support instead doing enough to keep it in the green.
“We also looked at how much electrification is needed to remain compliant – and we don’t need plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).”
Aston Martin is also deep in the development of a new generation of vehicles, based on a new platform which will be modular and primed for electric power.
“We’re developing the new generation of cars and their platform, with a new level of incredible technology: powertrain, electronic architecture, air-conditioning, seats, everything,” Hallmark said.
The next-gen models will also rely more on parts from Mercedes-AMG, with Hallmark estimating about one-third of Aston Martin parts currently come from the German manufacturer.
Jordan Mulach
“But more than 50 per cent will be down to us. There’s no penalty for being independent, so long as there are players out there willing to provide credible technologies at a competitive cost.”
The carmaker is looking to turn around its fortunes after posting seven straight years of financial losses, which in 2025 peaked at £493 million (A$922 million).
Earlier this year it announced it would cut one-fifth of its approximately 3000-strong workforce, aiming to save £40 million (A$77.3 million) annually.
