Aston Martin, Daimler in talks over Maybach development

According to the Financial Times, Daimler is investigating the viability of Aston Martin designing and producing the low-volume super-luxury limousine, and providing Aston with engines in return.

It is understood outsourcing the Maybach design and build process to a specialist small volume manufacturer like Aston Martin would be significantly cheaper for Daimler, and could also give the Brits access to the German’s petrol and diesel engines, and potentially other vehicle platforms.

At the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin unveiled the chunky, low-slung Lagonda SUV, which was based on the platform of the Mercedes-Benz GL. Rumours of a production version of the Lagonda are still far from dead, despite it being almost two years since its debut.

The Maybach name is one of the oldest in the history of the automobile, and was brought back to life as an ultra-premium brand in 2002. Sales are well below those of key competitors Bentley and Rolls-Royce, with around 300 sold in 2008 and just 200 in 2009.

Maybach currently sells three vehicle variants in Australia, with a starting price of $945,000 for the 57 model and $1,150,000 for the range-topping 62.

Meanwhile, Aston Martin has released another Christmas present of sorts, in the form of a short film featuring the V12 Vantage and the DBR1-2 LMP1 race car which competed in the Le Mans series in 2009 and 2010.

Both vehicles share the same 6.0-litre engine, producing 380kW of power and 570Nm of torque.

The footage captures the two cars together for the first time driving along a picturesque riverside road.