Finally, after months of wondering what that heavily camo'd sedan that suspiciously looked like a Aston Martin, we can confirm that it indeed is a Aston Martin, and it's bringing back a historic nameplate. The Lagonda.

Read the story and see the photos here:

https://www.6speedonline.com/article...artin-lagonda/

 

That's an interesting sales strategy

 

I like it. It kind of has some of the lines of the 70s Lagonda, in an updated form.

 

I like it too but to limit sales to certain countries? Mercedes engines? No SUV? It really makes me wonder if AM's leadership within the company is doing more harm than good...

 

Not for Aston
Don't forget many of their share holders and high profile customers are from that area (its rumoured 7 of the 1-77's went to one Middle East buyer)
Also AML have a history of building low volume specials for specific clients, in just the last couple of years we've had CC100, Jet2, Jet 2+2 and the Zagota DB9's. And of course Zagota V12V and 1-77.
A little tunnel vision I agree but it seems tobe working for them.

 

I'm willing to bet that a significant portion of the decision rested on the cost of legalizing the vehicle for various markets compared to the expected number of buyers in each of those markets.

 

Very good point Telum, by not selling it in Europe and US, they are not restricted by dozens of legal hoops that they have to jump through and regulations to comply with. It's actually way cheaper to develop the platform.

Not to mention the V12 does not meet dozens of countries of emissions standards in the coming future... In the middles east they couldn't care less and don't give a damn about then when they have subsidized gasoline prices of under $1. They can keep pumping out the old V12s there for over a decade probably.

They are actually following the Lamborghini business model of building ultra high end exclusive special editions for uber wealthy customers (read: insanely profitable). And to those Arab sheikhs ... Million dollars is chump change if it means out flashing their fellow royal family members. #uberrichpeopleproblems

 

These are the kind of projects that can help keep the lights on for a little while..

 

Hope it has a dash like this . . .

 

Eh. No thanks...
I don't particularly like anything AM has done after the DBS...

 

Exactly, super high margin products that can be developed cheaply and quickly is the best way for them to become profitable again and brings their brand prestige to an even higher level. I bet this is built off the rapids platform just extended so it probably did not cost them that much to redevelop.

 

I'm super fine with AM remaking the Lagonda and only providing it as a ultra rare exclusive model in limited markets.

I didn't like the first lagonda and I bet that I wont like this one either. But hey there is a hugely beneficial plan to have others with loads more money help to fund our favorite automaker! I hope they sell a bunch!

That old Lagonda is just super super ugly. It's like a more tricked out Reliant K car. -Sorry Aston, Can't win them all I guess. Everything else is beautiful.

 

not the only ugly car, remember the bulldog?

 

Oh yeah the Bulldog! Was the bulldog a production vehicle or a design exploration / proof of concept? While also ugly-ish it at least lives in the vein of other more successful wedge shapes of the late 70's early 80's…

Example Lotus Esprit, DMC Delorian, and the monster Lambo Countach.

That Lagonda just looks like sleeker version of every other stupid sedan of the 70's and 80's. Any Caddy, Reliant K Car anything Buick, The countless offerings by GM and Ford… Everything sedan like in that era just sucked so badly.

No wonder that the Japanese offerings were so much more interesting and became so popular in the 80's and dominated the 90's and early 2000's!

 

I just hope it sells well enough with a high enough profit margin to cover AM's cost. AML doesn't have enough money to be lost on what's basically a side project.