Project Alligator: Not So Secret Mercedes-Aston Martin Tie Up

Mercedes is working with Aston Martin (AM) on a collaboration dubbed Project Alligator. The collaboration does not include a new car but includes everything else from drivetrains to platforms. Though there is no news of a Mercedes/AM car, the final product of their tie up could prove to be very interesting and the idea is not to be dismissed.

CAR Magazine’s September issue reveals several details of the tie up that may include the use of AMG’s 6.2 liter V8 in the next AM Vantage and swapping standard AM gearboxes with future Mercedes’ eight-speed auto boxes.

The collaboration is said to even go as far as sharing platforms between both automaker’s high end models (SL and DBS), cooperating on the development of future diesels and hybrid models and even using future Aston’s to keep the Maybach brand alive. Word has it that there could be as many as five Maybach models based on Aston Martin cars.

The hype doesn’t just end there though, the collaboration between the two icons could place Mercedes in a very strategic position to buy out Aston Martin, if the latter’s new owners, including the owner of rally experts ProDrive, decide to give up their stakes in the British icon.

Such a collaboration may not produce any loosers but with relationships souring between the Mercedes and Mclaren supercar building team and the continued speculation of Mercedes buying out the Mclaren Formula 1 team, the biggest gainer emerging out of this drama would be Mercedes. Stuttgart seems to have everything worked out for itself and I’m guessing some of the most interesting cars to grace our future will be brandishing the legendary three pointed star.