Aston Martin to roll-out plug-in hybrid power

Aston Martin has announced plans to introduce plug-in hybrid (PHEV) propulsion to its front-engined sports cars and SUVs.

The first hybrid Aston Martin will be the Valhalla supercar due next year, but it is planned to be followed by the addition of plug-in technology to the company's ‘core’ line-up of sports-car models.

The small Vantage and flagship DBS models are due for heavy facelifts in the next 18 months, however it is unclear if these models will adopt plug-in technology yet. The British car maker is yet to outline which of its sports cars – and the DBX SUV – will adopt hybrid technology.

The DB11 has just undergone a major update to become the DB12, but it has retained a twin-turbocharged V8 without hybrid assistance.

"Our electrification journey will start with Valhalla, our first PHEV supercar, and we plan to expand our PHEV range into our core vehicles, which will bridge the customer journey from [petrol engines] to full [electric vehicles]."

British outlet Autocar reports Aston Martin has tapped into the hybrid-electric expertise of Mercedes-Benz, one of its major stakeholders. Mercedes-Benz has also been a significant engine and infotainment systems supplier to Aston Martin since 2016.

The Valhalla combines a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine with an electric motor mounted on the rear axle, resulting in a combined power output of 735kW.