据最新报道，下一代奔驰GL还将衍生出阿斯顿马丁版本。据报道，新车内部编号X167，将作为2018款车型上市，如果阿斯顿马丁愿意掏足够多的钱，还将有一款阿斯顿马丁版本的车型。一位不愿透露姓名的戴姆勒董事会成员解释说：“蔡澈(Zetsche)很愿意阿斯顿马丁能推出基于X167的自己版本车型，但钱是个大问题。阿斯顿马丁如果想更新旗下整个车系并增加一款SUV，车厂提出的四年5亿英镑投资计划显然远远不够。”无论最终结果如果，下一代GL将采用MHA平台将有两种轴距。虽然官方并未确认看，但长轴距版可能会被命名为GL Pullman。奔驰曾在2月展示了新款阿斯顿马丁DB9,虽然对该车知之甚少，但据说它“进行了重新设计，部分进行了重新改造“。据传该车搭载了AMG提供的4.0升V8引擎和阿斯顿马丁V12引擎。虽然DB9采用的是VH平台，但据猜测该车最终将与下一代奔驰SL和SLK共享MSA平台。不过该平台面世还需要多年，至少在2019年以前是不会发布的。

 

2018 Mercedes GL could offer a Pullman variant, may spawn an Aston Martin crossover

According to a recent report, Aston Martin could receive a version of the next-generation Mercedes GL.

 

Reportedly codenamed the X167, the 2018 GL could spawn an Aston Martin variant if the British automaker can pony up enough money to appease the Germans. As an unnamed Daimler board member explained to Automobile Magazine, “Dieter [Zetsche] is quite chuffed about the Aston thing and he is willing to let them in on X167. Money, however, is a big issue. Aston’s ￡500 ($825) million four-year investment plan is just not enough when you need to renew your entire model range and think about adding an SUV.”

 

Regardless of what happens, the next-generation GL is slated to ride on the MHA architecture and be available with two wheelbases. Nothing is official but the long-wheelbase variant could adopt the GL Pullman moniker.

 

In related news, Mercedes executives were reportedly shown the new Aston Martin DB9 in February. Little is known about the car but it is "redesigned and partially reengineered." The model is rumored to use an AMG-sourced 4.0-liter V8 engine and Aston Martin's familiar V12.

 

While the DB9 is slated to ride on the VH platform, there is speculation the company could eventually use the Mercedes MSA platform that will underpin the next-generation SL and SLK. However, the platform is several years off as it won't arrive until 2019.