Aston Martin looks beyond Mercedes Benz for electric technology
Aston Martin is to work with US-based Lucid Motors to accelerate the iconic British brand’s high-performance electrification strategy and long-term growth.
The relationship, the first of its kind for Lucid, will give the Warwickshire-based luxury car marque access to world-leading electric powertrain technology, which is engineered and manufactured in-house by Lucid, to power future Aston Martin battery electric vehicles. The agreement will also provide Aston Martin with technical support from Lucid in integrating its proprietary technology into a bespoke all-new electric vehicle platform developed by Aston Martin, as well as the supply of Lucid components.
Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO of Lucid, said: “This partnership will represent a landmark collaboration between Aston Martin, a storied marque with a rich history, including winning at Le Mans and its current successes in F1, and the very best of Silicon Valley innovation and technology from Lucid.
“In line with its strategy, Aston Martin selected Lucid, recognizing the profound benefits of adopting its world-leading electric drivetrain technology, exemplified by the breakthrough 516-mile EPA-estimated range achieved by the Lucid Air Grand Touring.”
Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman, Aston Martin, added: “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.”
Lucid will provide advanced electric powertrain technologies, including its ultra-high performance twin motor drive unit and battery technology. The twin motor rear drive unit’s prodigious power combines with torque vectoring to extend the capabilities of the car beyond that achievable with a passive all-wheel-drive system. These technically innovative electric motors incorporate Lucid’s microjet stator cooling and wave winding, new heat exchanger technology and heightened coolant flow rate, as well as an accompanying battery system that is likewise upgraded for higher power and more precise thermal logic.
This new agreement changes the longer-standing relationship with Mercedez Benz, but the German car company will continue to provide Aston Martin with access to powertrain and electric/electronic architectures for current and future generation Aston Martin vehicles, including internal combustion engine, hybrid and electric vehicles.
Lawrence Stroll, at Aston Martin, said: "I am delighted to continue our long-term partnership with Mercedes-Benz and appreciate their ongoing support of Aston Martin."
Franz Reiner, Non-Executive Director and Mercedes-Benz AG Representative, added: "As a long-term shareholder, Mercedes-Benz supports Aston Martin's future development as an independent luxury carmaker. Today's revised cooperation agreement is the best of both worlds: It ensures that Aston Martin continues to have access to a wide range of Mercedes-Benz technologies, while at the same time giving the iconic British carmaker the opportunity to explore new opportunities which fit its specific needs."
