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...

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?