Aston Martin started using this name in 1974, with a limited-edition four-door fastback based on a prototype that was showed five years earlier. However, the moment when the name “Lagonda” became truly famous arrived two years later. The company used limited production once again, but this time on a full-size sedan. There was plenty of luxury and performance, as its price range allows to expect, but the biggest reason why that car was so impressive was its design. The tendency of straight lines used at the time was combined to wedge-shaped front and rear, in a way that made it simply unmistakable. Depending on the angle, it looked like a spaceship from an old science-fiction movie or an amazingly aerodynamic sedan.
That sedan went through four “series”, only with slight changes from one to another, but its production would cease in 1990. After that, there were some shooting brake, limousine and modern-day conceptual variations, all of them as individual products. Since the last appearance of this name was made five years ago, the car world was starting to lose hope of seeing anything else with it. However, everything started to change with some unofficial pictures: after lots of speculation, the new Lagonda was first seen while being prepared for an air freight to Oman. Aston Martin released pictures of a prototype, but there was still much to know – there were even expectations that it would be sold only in the Middle East.
Now, the British company has finally decided to reveal the production sedan, but only parts of it – and you’d better take it, because having any further information would require you to purchase your own unit. Lagonda is bigger than Rapide in all dimensions, and replaces any trace of obvious sportiness with luxury and more luxury, so as to offer a set of characteristics strong enough to compete with Mercedes-Maybach S-Class or Rolls-Royce Ghost – both at their long-wheelbase versions. The external design is claimed to have used the previous Lagonda as an inspiration, not necessarily as a direct predecessor. Marek Reichman’s work is a mélange of William Towns’ wedge design with Aston Martin’s latest tendencies.
Entering the car reveals the same level of luxury and sophistication seen at those two competitors. But the only way to notice that is contemplating the images, because there isn’t much information about that either. Besides, since this is a high-luxury vehicle, each buyer will certainly be able to customize several parts of it, such as materials, colors and some equipments. When it comes to the technical part, Aston Martin’s VH platform was used with an aluminum structure and carbon-fiber bodywork, which means Lagonda won’t be heavy. Then again, this only means the 5.9L V12 engine’s job will be even easier – it’s expected to reach 600 hp. This vehicle will be sold exclusively with invitations, so there’s no information about price or when will it go on sale.