---
title: "Aston Martin Reportedly Working On Hybrid I-6 to Replace AMG-Borrowed V8"
description: "The engine could possibly power the brand's upcoming DBX crossover as well as the DB11 and Vantage."
date: "2018-12-14"
modified: "2018-12-14"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/25502/aston-martin-reportedly-working-on-hybrid-i-6-to-replace-amg-borrowed-v-8"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Aston Martin"
  - "engines"
  - "hybrid"
  - "Hybrid cars"
  - "Mercedes-AMG"
  - "sports cars"
  - "Vantage"
---

# Aston Martin Reportedly Working On Hybrid I-6 to Replace AMG-Borrowed V8

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/12/Abu_Dhabi_Dealership_Opening-e1544817088338.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com\</em\>*

Even though [recent Aston Martins have enjoyed engine donations](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/19214/new-aston-martin-vantage-borrows-v-8-sugar-from-mercedes-amgs-gt-so-which-tastes-sweeter>) courtesy of Mercedes-AMG—a benefit of being partly owned by Daimler—a recent report suggests that the British car firm is developing a new, comparable powertrain of its own.

According to [*Autocar*](<https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/aston-martin-developing-straight-six-hybrid-powertrain>), Aston is currently working on a new inline-six powerplant that may be coupled to a hybrid system to eventually replace the twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V8 it gets from AMG. The in-house I-6 will apparently help Aston Martin meet more stringent emissions regulations and find its first home under the hood of [the upcoming DBX SUV](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/24901/aston-martin-dbx-prototype-first-look-the-british-marques-own-luxury-suv>).

While technical details on the future six-cylinder are scarce, *Autocar* speculates that the mill could be a derivation of the company's 5.2-liter V12 (that'd just be a matter of slicing the V in half, right?) and use hybrid tech taken from [the Rapide E electric car](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/23535/2020-aston-martin-rapide-e-astons-first-electric-production-car>).

In the meantime, Aston will continue to use AMG-sourced V8s in lieu of its own bespoke powerplants with the DBX set to launch with the option of the aforementioned 4.0-liter or Aston's own V12. The AMG V8 also lives inside the Vantage and the [V8 version of the DB11 grand tourer](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/14130/2018-aston-martin-db11-v-8-7-first-impressions-of-the-first-amg-engined-aston>).

On the other side of the power spectrum, the brand recently released details on its [1,000-horsepower, 11,100-rpm, 6.5-liter V12](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/25424/the-aston-martin-valkyries-11100-rpm-v-12-will-produce-1000-hp>) that'll power the $3.3 million Valkyrie hybrid hypercar. Developed in collaboration with Cosworth, that beast of a motor is said to be "loosely derived" from the engine used in 2010's Williams F1 car.

If electrified straight-sixes are what the EPA wants Aston to build so they're allowed to also do stuff like this, bring 'em on.

## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)