Fascinating luxury car of 2014: Aston Martin Lagonda
08.12.2014 19:30
The real allure of the Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf has less to do with what we know about it, which is remarkably little, than what we don’t, which is plenty.
The long saloon is undeniably pretty, if not quite as heart-stopping as its William Towns-designed predecessor from 1976. And its engine – Aston’s proven 6-litre V12 – is a fine, if unsurprising, choice.
The real mystery of the Lagonda Taraf – the latter word roughly translating to "ultimate luxury” in Arabic, Aston says – is where it came from, and where it’s going. Aston dropped a couple of teaser images back in July, and then a few more in September, including shots of the car’s wildly sumptuous four-place interior. But real details were skint; power, performance and price were left unmentioned (though Aston’s press release did coyly note: "The asking price will be commensurate with the car’s exclusivity, quality and luxurious nature.”). And the company did announce that the car would be produced in a separate building on the campus of its Gaydon headquarters, the same facility in which Aston’s artisans assembled the One-77 hypercar.
Aston initially stated that the Taraf would be delivered to a very few invited customers in the Middle East, but broader availability now seems a strong possibility, after new Aston chief executive Andy Palmer commented at the Taraf’s unveiling in Dubai on 11 November: "I can confirm today that we are also evaluating the opportunity to offer this Lagonda in other markets.” I am fairly certain that my garage will not be one of those markets, but that doesn’t temper my fascination. I am eager to see this grand sedan availed (in tantalisingly small numbers) to a global array of buyers. The Taraf, like the unicorn of a car that was its ancestor, should make the motoring world a vastly more interesting place.
(BBC)
ANN.Az
The long saloon is undeniably pretty, if not quite as heart-stopping as its William Towns-designed predecessor from 1976. And its engine – Aston’s proven 6-litre V12 – is a fine, if unsurprising, choice.
The real mystery of the Lagonda Taraf – the latter word roughly translating to "ultimate luxury” in Arabic, Aston says – is where it came from, and where it’s going. Aston dropped a couple of teaser images back in July, and then a few more in September, including shots of the car’s wildly sumptuous four-place interior. But real details were skint; power, performance and price were left unmentioned (though Aston’s press release did coyly note: "The asking price will be commensurate with the car’s exclusivity, quality and luxurious nature.”). And the company did announce that the car would be produced in a separate building on the campus of its Gaydon headquarters, the same facility in which Aston’s artisans assembled the One-77 hypercar.
Aston initially stated that the Taraf would be delivered to a very few invited customers in the Middle East, but broader availability now seems a strong possibility, after new Aston chief executive Andy Palmer commented at the Taraf’s unveiling in Dubai on 11 November: "I can confirm today that we are also evaluating the opportunity to offer this Lagonda in other markets.” I am fairly certain that my garage will not be one of those markets, but that doesn’t temper my fascination. I am eager to see this grand sedan availed (in tantalisingly small numbers) to a global array of buyers. The Taraf, like the unicorn of a car that was its ancestor, should make the motoring world a vastly more interesting place.
(BBC)
ANN.Az
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