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Aston Martin will likely utilize Mercedes-Benz’s new turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine in certain models going forward.

The new I6 turbo engine, which debuted in the CLS 53 and E 53 AMG models earlier this year, is apparently a hot topic within Aston Martin’s engineering department. Employees from the British manufacturer went to sample the six-cylinder engine in Stuttgart late last year, and Aston Martin’s chief engineer, Matt Becker, described it as “very impressive,” in a recent interview with Wheels Magazine.

“With emissions regulations going where they’re going and getting harder and harder, we have to consider all powertrain options, and we are considering six-cylinders for the future,” Becker told the Australian publication. “Previous Astons have had six cylinders – a long time ago – but I think with CLS 53, the engine that has is a very complicated and clever engine and it’s something that could fit with the brand in the future.”

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In the CLS 53, the 3.0-liter engine makes 435 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. It also gets some additional power thanks to a 48V starter-alternator that makes about 16 kW of juice, or 21 hp. Output would stay roughly the same if it were dropped in an Aston Martin, Becker explained, but the automaker would apply its own engine software to adjust the characteristics of the engine. The exhaust setup would also change – this has to sound like an Aston Martin, after all.

The most likely Aston Martin to get Mercedes’ new six-cylinder is the Vantage. The coupe is already offered with a Mercedes 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 under the hood, and seeing as it’s the smallest and lightest Aston Martin, the inline-six would be well suited for it. The Vantage also has room for Aston Martin’s 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 under the hood, but it’s understood the automaker has yet to make a decision on a new V12 Vantage.

The last Aston Martin model offered with an inline-six engine was the DB7, which had a 3.2-liter supercharged I6 under the hood. The DB5, arguably the most iconic Aston Martin of all time, along with the subsequent DB6, also featured inline-six engines.

[Source: Wheels Magazine]

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