RE: Aston Lagonda official testing images

RE: Aston Lagonda official testing images

Monday 8th September 2014

Aston Lagonda official testing images

After being gazumped by Oman Airlines Aston Martin now has some official pics to share of the Lagonda



Given the Aston Martin Lagonda will be sold exclusively in the Middle East, it really needs to perform faultlessly in scorchingly hot weather. So it's been out in Oman (you may remember Oman Airlines flying the car out there...) being rigorously tested to ensure its durability.

Aston's answer to Rapide size jibes...
Aston's answer to Rapide size jibes...
The car seen here is a Verification Prototype which Aston describes as 'broadly representative of a production model'. Understandably given its intended audience, Aston has subjected the Lagonda to its most extensive recorded period of Hot Environmental Testing. So the black paint is a very deliberate choice, the car is left in the sun for hours and then the car does around 500 miles a day in anything up to 50-degree heat. There are hot start tests and plenty of attention paid to air-con efficiency. All usual stuff for car testing, but obviously a real priority for Aston with this model.

With production commencing early next year, we should see the finished Aston Lagonda very soon. Launch in Oman perhaps?







Author
Discussion

DaveL485

Original Poster:

2,758 posts

196 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
I do love Astons, probably one of my overall favourite looking brands, but that is UGLY frown

gregf40

1,114 posts

115 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
Gangster.

There is no other word to describe it.

I have a mate out there who is hoping to get one - can't wait to see it in the flesh!

DonkeyApple

54,914 posts

168 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
DaveL485 said:
I do love Astons, probably one of my overall favourite looking brands, but that is UGLY frown
I think it looks lovely. Has to be the best looking saloon at present?

Malachimon

477 posts

124 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
Question: why the hell would you put so much effort into an car and sell it ONLY in the Middle East? Not every oil dealer will want one you know

Police State

4,063 posts

219 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
It looks like the kind of thing Renault would produce should they ever create a supersize lux saloon.

Speedracer329

1,507 posts

176 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
Hmm, looks like a bad photoshop from some angles, & for me the square slab nose doesn't blend well with the otherwise swoopy lines of the car. I like Astons in general but I don't like this, but then again I am not in the sector it is designed for.

TIGA84

5,204 posts

230 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
To be clear - no-one but the middle east is going to be able to buy one?

DoctorX

7,240 posts

166 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
That looks great IMO. Like the DB9 type door opening.

Neil1300r

5,487 posts

177 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
TIGA84 said:
To be clear - no-one but the middle east is going to be able to buy one?
Correct. No type approval for Europe or the USA. Will be very exclusive, limited numbers, high price. And its not an Aston its a Lagonda.

SFO

5,162 posts

182 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
Neil1300r said:
Correct. No type approval for Europe or the USA. Will be very exclusive, limited numbers, high price. And its not an Aston its a Lagonda.
probably because it would cost too much (or the car would not pass due the pedestrian impact regulations etc) to get type approval for Europe and USA.

DonkeyApple

54,914 posts

168 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
Malachimon said:
Question: why the hell would you put so much effort into an car and sell it ONLY in the Middle East? Not every oil dealer will want one you know
My guess is that it is cheaper to build for a specific market than to build to cover many. Plus, VG's track record of ME Rolladex specials makes the ME the right market for AM to do this with.

And I'm hoping this is their clever and cost effective way to launch the Lagonda brand into the public eye as a premium product. Hopefully, if this car gets enough coverage and sells well in the ME then they will have the means to raise finance to roll out more generic Lagonda products on a global basis to compliment the AM brand without diluting it?

oldtimer2

728 posts

132 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
The rear three quarter view does not go well with the front view - looks heavy and unbalanced to me.

Pommygranite

14,229 posts

215 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
It's not very..elegant.


AlpinaB5s

159 posts

158 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
DonkeyApple said:
DaveL485 said:
I do love Astons, probably one of my overall favourite looking brands, but that is UGLY frown
I think it looks lovely. Has to be the best looking saloon at present?
Its a completely uninspiring and bland design.

Thats said, I dont think the black painwork does it any favours. In silver it might look a bit sleeker and less guppy.

wemorgan

3,578 posts

177 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
The middle-east market is very different to the UK, so I doubt Aston are looking for PH approval.

ugg10

681 posts

216 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
Police State said:
It looks like the kind of thing Renault would produce should they ever create a supersize lux saloon.
4 door Renault Fuego which has eaten too many hamburgers !

JDMDrifter

4,039 posts

164 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
I want to hate it, but i quite love it!

Fetchez la vache

5,568 posts

213 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
I'd love to see this sat next to a Rapide to tell if this is externally simply a styling exercise.

After some initial skepticism, now I really like it...

Dblue

3,252 posts

199 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
I think that looks absolutely stunning. Beautiful proportions and details.

Much much better than a Rapide which is just DB9 4 door

DonkeyApple

54,914 posts

168 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
AlpinaB5s said:
DonkeyApple said:
DaveL485 said:
I do love Astons, probably one of my overall favourite looking brands, but that is UGLY frown
I think it looks lovely. Has to be the best looking saloon at present?
Its a completely uninspiring and bland design.

Thats said, I dont think the black painwork does it any favours. In silver it might look a bit sleeker and less guppy.
It's obviously a subjective matter but I think the rear looks sleek and elegant as does the profile and the front has a look of intent.

What other high end saloons are out there that look more elegant or distinct from their peers?