Aston Martin: From 2026 onwards only electrified models

Bentley and Rolls Royce have recently become more specific about phasing out combustion engines: Soon, the first fully electric models will herald the end of combustion engines, and by 2030, both brands are expected to have converted their lineups to all-electric models. Accordingly, Aston Martin now had to announce electrification – but did not provide details on the degree of hybridization. Instead, Aston Martin boss Lawrence Stroll told the "Financial Times":

"By 2026, we will be fully electrified."

However, in this case, it only means that there will no longer be any purely combustion-engine models on offer. And for that, a 48-volt mild hybrid that only modestly supports the combustion engine, but does not allow the car to drive even a meter electrically, would suffice in the "worst case." Stroll also does not want to commit to a specific date for phasing out combustion engines:

"I can't tell you that 100 percent of Aston Martin customers want an electric vehicle."

He justifies this to the Financial Times mainly with the sensory desires of customers:

"People still want the smell, the noise. We will gradually transition to fully electric vehicles, but we will continue to offer both electric and hybrid vehicles."

Accordingly, he leaves the specific degree of electrification open and explains:

"There will still be an electrification component, but if someone wants a combustion engine in 2028, that will happen."

Thus, from 2025, the first fully electric Aston Martin is to come onto the market – for which the successor to the BD 11 has been chosen. Details on this are not yet known. It is to be expected that the battery will be space-efficiently installed in the underbody or rear area and that all-wheel drive with at least two motors will be a given to provide enough power. It will also be interesting to see how closely Aston Martin will align with Mercedes-Benz-AMG: Stroll brought AMG boss Tobias Moers on board as CEO in Gaydon to further drive cooperation and develop new models with him.

The current program already includes a large number of models, including mid-engine sports cars, the Lagonda sedan, and the planned mid-engine racers – but they all share only a few technical components. Therefore, it could soon also develop plug-in hybrid models. However, the latest addition was the DBX707: the top version of the SUV with a 520 kW V8 combustion engine from AMG, which – as the name suggests – delivers 707 PS. Completely without a hybrid component.

What does that mean?

While Bentley and Rolls-Royce will phase out combustion engines by 2030, Aston Martin is beginning a subtle electrification – but keeping all options open. This also applies to the current – huge in terms of volume – model range. It will be interesting to see how the market develops and what the Aston Martin program will look like in 2030. Especially as Ferrari and Lamborghini continue to electrify their supercars more and more. Stroll will have to "step on the gas" here.