Aston Martin won't offer electric SUV after all

The model will launch with gasoline powertrains.

Aston Martin won't offer an electric variant of its first-ever SUV, according to a recent report.

The brand previewed the model by showing an all-electric concept car named DBX (pictured) at the 2015 Geneva auto show. This spawned rumors claiming the zero-emissions drivetrain would make the transition to production. Company CEO Andy Palmer told Automotive News the soft-roader (which could wear the name Varekai) will not offer a full-electric option.

Palmer also ruled out plug-in hybrid and diesel models, adding he thinks diesel's life is limited. Though he didn't reveal technical specifications, that leaves us with gasoline-powered engines like the twin-turbocharged V8 Aston Martin borrows from Mercedes-AMG. Range-topping variants will likely receive the firm's own V12 engine.

Aston will build the Varekai in a brand-new facility located in Wales. Sales are tentatively scheduled to begin next year, meaning the production model could be just a few short months away from breaking cover. The segment will very quickly become very crowded.

When it lands, the Aston Martin Varekai will compete in the same segment as the Lamborghini Urus and the Bentley Bentayga. Upcoming rivals include the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which will break cover by the end of the year, and Ferrari's first SUV, which we might not see until the early 2020s. Lotus is working on an SUV, too, but it will be smaller and more affordable than Aston's.

Photos by Ronan Glon.