Aston Martin turns to Lucid for EV powertrains

Low-volume niche automakers surviving on the generosity of rich benefactors, such as Aston Martin under the ownership of Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, must make sure every model is a moneymaker.

That's never been more crucial at Aston as the British luxury automaker accelerates its pivot to electrification. A deal signed this summer with EV startup Lucid looks like a big win for both automakers.

The most powerful versions of the Lucid Air's lightweight high-performance electric motors are right in Aston's wheelhouse. Car and Driver called the triple-motor 1,234-hp Air Sapphire a "face-punching, nose-crunching super-sedan."

The same sort of 1.9-second 0 to 60 mph performance should be on tap with Lucid's motors and batteries installed in Aston Martin EVs that will be built on a dedicated, modular platform. Aston said the first of these new ultrahigh performance EVs are about two years away. The British brand's lineup will be electrified by 2030.

Electric SUV: Aston needs fast-selling, profit-making hits, so it's possible the first EV on Aston's new platform will be a midsize SUV powered by Lucid's electric motors and batteries. It could arrive in late 2025 as a 2026 model.

Valkyrie: It's one and done for the $3 million track-derived, 1,000-hp supercar. Aston built 150 coupes and 85 convertibles. All are sold.

Valhalla: The hybrid supercar is on track for a 2024 debut. Power comes from a 4.0-liter Mercedes-Benz twin-turbo V-8 and a pair of electric motors upfront that deliver another 200 hp for 901 total. Deliveries of the $800,000 hypercar, a 2024 model, are scheduled to start early next year.

DBX: Aston last year added the 707 model with 707 hp. The next major upgrades for the high-performance SUV are likely to be the addition of a V-8 hybrid powertrain around 2025.

Vantage: The coupe and convertible are being reengineered for the 2025 model year, with a stiffer chassis, cleaner styling and a revamped infotainment system. Deliveries could begin in the second quarter of 2024.

Valour: Just 110 cars will be built in commemoration of the brand's 110th anniversary. Priced between $1.5 million and $2 million, the 5.2-liter twin-turbo V-12 supercar wears styling themes from classic Aston Martins. The car, which is sold out, begins production this year.

DB12: The DB11 was heavily reengineered and renamed. The coupe version of the DB12 is already on sale. The convertible arrives this year.

Both are powered by a 4.0-liter V-8 developing 671 hp. A hybrid powertrain could arrive in 2025.

DBS: Dead after 2024.