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Aston Martin-Mercedes tie-up: secret plans revealed by CAR

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 06 August 2008 11:20 Aston Martin and Mercedes are plotting a wide-ranging tie-up that could see the two famous brands collaborate on engines, hybrids, transmission and even entire platforms, CAR can reveal. The top-secret partnership between Aston and Merc – dubbed Project Alligator by the Germans – is detailed in our exclusive story in the new September 2008 issue of CAR Magazine. The scoop includes the lowdown on: • How Mercedes engines could power future Aston Martins • AMG's 6.2-litre V8 tipped for Vantage models• Diesels and hybrids from Germany planned for Aston• Whole platforms to be shared by top-end models• Eight-speed Merc auto bound for British sports cars• Why Maybach and Aston could co-operate on future modelsWe speak to the engineers and insiders who are working on Project Alligator and spill the beans on the secret project that will reshape future generations of Aston Martins.

New baby Jaguar saloon to be shown this summer

The new small Jaguar saloon out testing in ill-fitting XF camouflage Jaguar has made huge strides in the last few years and is now on the brink of being recognised, once again, as a major force. But so far Jaguar has been producing great cars in not the biggest-selling sectors, but that’s set to change with the new small Jaguar saloon (perhaps the Jaguar XS) which will be first shown this summer ahead of a 2015 launch. The new baby Jaguar will be entering a very competitive market place, taking on cars like the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4, so Jaguar are going to have to work hard to produce not only a credible car, but one that uses its ‘Britishness’ as its USP.

IAT Crosswind II concept (w/ Gallery)

The Crosswind II concept was one of three very competently resolved full-size models displayed on IAT's large stand at the Beijing motor show. A development of the Cross-Coupé model seen two years ago in Beijing. It's a simple concept: the top half is coupé, the lower half has a tough offroader aesthetic,  and it's powered by a 150kW electric motor.