Aston Martin has reaffirmed its commitment to making fully-electric models and has announced that it has secured a deal with startup EV car maker Lucid to cooperate on battery and electric motor tech.
Industry-leading
Aston Martin announced to the London Stock Exchange (where it is registered as a trading stock) that Lucid Group would "supply Aston Martin with industry-leading electric vehicle technologies." Lucid has already begun selling its luxury-oriented Air saloon, which has a one-charge range of more than 700km and is working on an SUV called the Gravity.
However, it doesn't seem to be as simple as adding Aston Martin bodies to Lucid electric platforms. Aston has said that its EVs - and it plans to launch models in the 'hypercar, sports, GT and SUV' segments - will use an "all-new in-house Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) platform", which suggests that Aston will design its own chassis and platforms, with the help of Lucid.
The sports car maker says it will invest STG£2-billion in 'advanced technologies' over the next five years as it strikes out on the road to electrification.
Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman of Aston Martin, said: "The supply agreement with Lucid is a game changer for the future EV-led growth of Aston Martin. Based on our strategy and requirements, we selected Lucid, gaining access to the industry's highest performance and most innovative technologies for our future BEV products. We will not only leverage the significant investments Lucid has made to develop its world-class technologies but will also further enhance and differentiate the drive experience through the work Roberto Fedeli and his teams are already developing, aligned with our ultra-luxury, high-performance strategy.
"Along with Mercedes-Benz, we now have two world-class suppliers to support the internal development and investments we are making to deliver our electrification strategy. With the recently announced long-term partnership with Geely, we will also gain the opportunity to access their range of technologies and components, as well as their deep expertise of the key strategic market of China. Overall, today's announcement is a further significant step towards delivering our ambition for Aston Martin."
First EV by 2025
Aston Martin has set a target of 2025 for its all-electric model - most likely a variant of the DBX SUV, which was originally shown as an electric concept back in 2018. Before that, the company plans to launch its first plug-in hybrid in the shape of the mid-engined Valhalla supercar, a rival to the likes of the Ferrari 296 GTB. The plan is for the 'core range' of Aston Martin models to be full-electrified by 2030.
The agreement with Lucid doesn't override Aston's previous engineering association with Mercedes, and Mercedes remains both a shareholder in the company and a supplier of V8 engines, gearboxes, and electronic systems.
Roberto Fedeli, Chief Technology Officer of Aston Martin, said: "The proposed agreement with Lucid forms a significant pillar of our electrification strategy, providing Aston Martin with access to the industry's leading powertrain and battery systems technology. Combined with our internal development, this will allow us to create a single bespoke BEV platform suitable for all future Aston Martin products, all the way from hypercars to sports cars and SUVs. In addition, we will continue to expand our in-house powertrain capabilities, allowing us to provide the thrilling performance and intense driving experience we know that our customers love and expect from Aston Martin."
Aston describes the transition from its traditionally loud and musical V8 and V12 petrol engines to electric power as 'an elemental challenge' but also says that its EVs will provide the 'optimum blend of scintillating class leading performance and brilliantly resolved vehicle dynamics.' It says that there are major advantages in EV design, including the use of four-wheel torque vectoring to fine-tune a car's handling and agility.
Also assisting with the EV project is Aston Martin Performance Technologies, or AMPT, part of the Aston Martin Formula One team. It's expected that AMPT will bring active aerodynamic and clever energy management tech, tested in the exacting world of F1 racing, to the new range of electric road cars.
Active cooling and airflow management
Indeed, Aston is already talking of: "Sleek, wind-cheating bodywork - facilitated by no longer needing to feed air to a hungry internal combustion engine - will play its part, with active cooling vents and airflow management around the wheel arches and underbody working to reduce the impact of wide tyres required to transmit the immense power and immediate torque delivery of the battery-electric powertrain."
Aston also says that it's working with its brake supplier, Brembo, to come up with new braking system designs for these EVs, which will help to both recuperate electrical energy from braking and slowing, but which will also reduce the particulate (soot and microplastics) emissions from brake pads. Additionally, Aston is also working with tyre maker Pirelli on a 'cyber-tyre' which uses new sensor technology to monitor the load going through each tyre and wheel in real time and enable electric cars to more finely gauge their remaining battery range.