RE: Aston confirms Lagonda saloon...

[donteatpeople]

Lyons said:

Not that it matters, but isn't it a re-skinned Rapide? The market positioning is interesting - hope it works out for them.

Like the idea or bringing back 80s AML products. Would love to see a new Bulldog, with the V12 from the One-77

I would expect it to be along the lines of the One77; basic structure roughly similar to regular models but every aspect turned up to 11 with bespoke body, engine and interior.

The DP100 (still can't help but snigger at that name after the ‘adult film’ association mentioned in reply to PHs article) was a bit Bulldog-ish, lets hope that leads somewhere.

DonkeyApple said:

That's a bold move as the market shows you can sell SUVs by the bucket load and these top saloons by the handful.

Not that much of a bold move then seeing as the plan is to only sell a handful.

[JDMDrifter]

4 door One-77 ? Fantastic, however limiting a car to one market and invitation only? Seems a little shallow...

[DJRC]

BritishRacinGrin said:

Formerly British car maker so exclusive that no Brits can buy one. Thanks Aston Martin.

No different to the 50s. Barely any Brits could buy Brit sports car then due to the "export or die" mantra. This is Aston pursuing an exactly similar strategy.

[NXXN]

robemcdonald said:

Looks interesting.
Likely to be the most expensive car on a decade old platform.
Probably all already sold though.

Remind me, when was the Rolls Royce Phantom released?

[RichB]

NXXN said:

robemcdonald said:

Looks interesting.
Likely to be the most expensive car on a decade old platform.
Probably all already sold though.

Remind me, when was the Rolls Royce Phantom released?

[RichB]

DJRC said:

BritishRacinGrin said:

Formerly British car maker so exclusive that no Brits can buy one. Thanks Aston Martin.

No different to the 50s. Barely any Brits could buy Brit sports car then due to the "export or die" mantra. This is Aston pursuing an exactly similar strategy.

Agreed, and a similar point to the one I made earlier.

[Bigchiefmuffin]

Suspect that this is another Aston doing something on the cheap and then being too embarrassed to launch it into Europe, as it won't stand up to rivals under closer examination. Give or take a bit, that was the One-77

They probably think they can sell any old bling thing to the Middle East at any old price.

Suspect that if you turned up with the Wonga without an "invitation" you will not be turned away....

Seem to remember that the Cygnet was initially only on offer to existing owners ?

[Craikeybaby]

matbat said:

I'm sure it will look stunning, shame we'll never see one on the road in the UK.

I'm sure there will be one or two about in Warwickshire.

I'm also surprised that they aren't making this for China too, but they may do the same as Jaguar did with the XKRS-GT and open it up to other markets if the demand is there.

[MyCC]

This does seem a little of odd, like AM cutting of their nose despite their face. Surely there would be potential for this car in China, even parts of W. Europe (London, Geneva, Monaco) albeit in small numbers?

There's being exclusive and then there's being nonsensical.

Regards,

MyCC.

[myhandle]

Craikeybaby said:

I'm sure there will be one or two about in Warwickshire.

I'm also surprised that they aren't making this for China too, but they may do the same as Jaguar did with the XKRS-GT and open it up to other markets if the demand is there.

We'll probably see them on foreign plates (as commented by another poster earlier) but it's also likely some will make it to the UK for very serious collectors, one way or another. For example, the AR1 Roadster was designed to be sold only in the USA (as the Zagato SWB coupe could not easily be homologated there), but guess what : http://www.astonsaleskensington.com/cardetails.asp...

and

https://www.google.com/search?q=aston+DB7+zagato+a...

[365daytonafan]

Wonder if the only available in the middle east is because Aston doesn't want the expense of putting it through European and American emissions and crash testing?

[unsprung]

RichB said:

BritishRacinGrin said:

Formerly British car maker so exclusive that no Brits can buy one. Thanks Aston Martin.

Looks excellent, hope they sell each and every one of them. The Sheik's money will fund Aston Martin to design and build replacements for the DB9 and Vantage. All good... Well done Aston Martin.

Yeah. It's a revenue stream that would be reliable no where else. And it will also burnish Aston Martin credentials in posh / luxe.

The key, I reckon, is the quote that this vehicle is "automotive art."

[P4ROT]

From what I can see, this looks like the best looking Aston since the DB9 (pre-facelift).

[LOW4LYFE]

Aston building a car that isn't a resized DB9? That front end treatment reminds of something else too. Strangely due to the hard edges and slab surfacing the camo actually does little to disguise the lines

[Macboy]

More than a hint of the nose and tail treatments on the Fisker specials perhaps? Surely it will look better from the front and rear with the camo. gone but I'm not sure anyone was really looking for an homage to the Towns Lagonda with those straight lines and slab sides.

[smilo996]

"The design is said to be directly influenced by the 1976-1989 William Towns Lagonda"- does not sound like a good idea. Seeing as the much loved original can be had for £20K.

last gasp for the V12 before AML become a coachbuilder.

[DanielSan]

Why I am just picturing a Gulzar fantasy car?

[TroubledSoul]

Front end is similar to the current Honda Civic!

Is this the new Maybach? Doesn't look as big as I'd expected though.

[DonkeyApple]

DJRC said:

BritishRacinGrin said:

Formerly British car maker so exclusive that no Brits can buy one. Thanks Aston Martin.

No different to the 50s. Barely any Brits could buy Brit sports car then due to the "export or die" mantra. This is Aston pursuing an exactly similar strategy.

Rolodex vending badged as 'invitations' was what kept some form of cash flow in for Gauntlett. That and regularly selling off his other businesses to fill regular holes.

It was a pretty desperate tactic in the 80s for a business valued at just a few million where these sales would have a real impact on the bottom line. Not sure it isn't much more today. When you look at the debt pile and the recent capital investments a policy of low vol specials doesn't fit with the financial numbers which clearly expect volume with good margins.

Any mention of Tickford and you can expect a fire sale to shortly follow.

I hope they can leverage off this Lagonda relaunch to deliver a volume product that can deliver the kind of cash flow the current business valuation desperately needs.

[MrGeoff]

Looks like a stretched Dodge Challenger with an ugly front and rear.