Project Romeo and Juliet: Aston/Mercedes alliance = Aston developed Maybachs?!

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Aston Martin and Mercedes 'to strike €300m deal' When they first starting talking, the relatively modest €20m cooperation plan for Aston Martin and Mercedes/Maybach was, like a hostile takeover bid, named Project Alligator. But now the two parties have drastically increased the scope of the potential alliance. Valued at €300m (£240m) minimum, the new deal is known as Romeo and Juliet. There are in fact moves afoot to commission Aston Martin to mastermind the next-generation Maybach. Since the mild facelift due for 2010 is unlikely to work wonders for the under-developed and over-sexed luxury liner, Merc product planners are seriously considering letting their new English friends revamp the body and interior for the new Maybach 57 and 62 limos. Don't think this is a pipe dream. CAR has learned that Philipp Grosse Kleimann, previously in charge of Mercedes' aftersales, will move from Stuttgart to Gaydon where he is expected to assume the role of chief liaison manager. His mission? To implement the correct strategy and Mercedes' core brand values. Aston will continue to design and build its own coupés and convertibles, but – if and when the deal is inked – the next generation would almost certainly feature tweaked Mercedes powerplants and transmissions. To test the water, the boys from Warwickshire have asked their Swabian counterparts for a version of their twin-turbo V12 dubbed M275 which is likely to replace the Ford-sourced V12 found in the DB9 and DBS. (Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...) This V12 collaboration programme alone is valued at an estimated €150m and has been blessed by Dr Zetsche. For good measure, Mercedes will also throw in the seven-speed automatic and both hybrid modules. Yes, bank on a hybrid Aston Martin in the next decade. Phase Two of the Romeo and Juliet project kicks off in 2012. This timing has a lot to do with the relaunch of the Lagonda brand. Bez announced the revival of Lagonda in September 2008 and we'll see the first concept vehicle in 2009. (so... no production version of the 4-door DB9 we saw some years ago?) Lagonda • A large saloon • Four-seater coupé • Four-seater cabriolet • That 4x4 'Once the fundamental issues have been dealt with, the arrangement is quite straightforward. Maybach stands for ultimate luxury, Mercedes covers the middle ground albeit on a very high level, and Lagonda does the sporty versions.'

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