RE: Lagonda Taraf: Review
Discussion
gigglebug said:
Maybe it would better to ensure that the core range of cars are able to out performing their rivals in as many key area's as they can manage thus making them more desirable leading to more sales and increased revenue rather than this type of thing? I personally don't think that either this, the Vulcan or the One77 have made Aston as a brand any more desirable and I'm not sure that they even promote the core range very well. The fact that Aston have had to open the Taraf up to more markets and production is going to fall short of what they intended probably shows what even the mega-rich who don't have to consider the cost think of it.
The Vulcan, although cool in isolation, just reeks of opportunism rather than innovation to me. Aston obviously noted the efforts of Pagani with the Zonda R and Ferrari with the FXX programs and thought that they would try and grab a piece of the pie. The difference is that both the Pagani and Ferrari's (and even Mclaren's GTR at a later date) were born from the marques wishes to fulfill the desires of existing, loyal customers and technologies implemented in the programs have been carried over to existing models. Aston just seem to be trying to cash in on this market for the sake of revenue rather than reward or progression.
The One77 to me should never have been a low volume effort aimed at the mega-rich, sell it for as much as you can because the Veyron has shown that there is a new ceiling to what is an acceptable amount to charge for a new car. Give it a proper boot, maybe cut back a little on the very expensive hand crafted aluminum parts then make it the new Vanquish. Sell it for a similar price as an F12 or the Aventador (what does it really offer above one of these from a technical or use of materials perspective) and it would truly have been an achievement and I'm sure would sell extremely well gaining Aston more revenue in the long run and more importantly pushing them to the front of the pack rather than seemingly always playing catch-up or imitating to their competitors.
I think when AM produced the Cygnet it spoke volumes about the lack of faith they had in their product. I was watching 'something' about the new DB10 the design guru/manager/technical lead was basically saying that they are in a position now where (my interpretation) they have milked everything to death and they are looking at growing the brand and diversifying the ownership from the historical (tweed/pipe/slippers) to a more sustainable, obviously whilst keeping the cash cows happy. Maybe this means more focus on their version of an entry level product funded by the odd marketing opportunity, like this monstrosity, I don't know. As long as they keep doing this;The Vulcan, although cool in isolation, just reeks of opportunism rather than innovation to me. Aston obviously noted the efforts of Pagani with the Zonda R and Ferrari with the FXX programs and thought that they would try and grab a piece of the pie. The difference is that both the Pagani and Ferrari's (and even Mclaren's GTR at a later date) were born from the marques wishes to fulfill the desires of existing, loyal customers and technologies implemented in the programs have been carried over to existing models. Aston just seem to be trying to cash in on this market for the sake of revenue rather than reward or progression.
The One77 to me should never have been a low volume effort aimed at the mega-rich, sell it for as much as you can because the Veyron has shown that there is a new ceiling to what is an acceptable amount to charge for a new car. Give it a proper boot, maybe cut back a little on the very expensive hand crafted aluminum parts then make it the new Vanquish. Sell it for a similar price as an F12 or the Aventador (what does it really offer above one of these from a technical or use of materials perspective) and it would truly have been an achievement and I'm sure would sell extremely well gaining Aston more revenue in the long run and more importantly pushing them to the front of the pack rather than seemingly always playing catch-up or imitating to their competitors.
They can make any manner of gold plated bananas for people who have nothing better to do with their money
It is an achingly cool brand and they really should, and could go head to head with things like the F12 with their USP. Personally I wish they'd release something like the CC100, with a sensible price tag and coupe, rather than the concept.
What about the DBC
Unfortunately I think we'll see a hybrid, and SUV type thing as priorities. That's what the people want on the school run and what will sell in the US.
yonex said:
I think when AM produced the Cygnet it spoke volumes about the lack of faith they had in their product. I was watching 'something' about the new DB10 the design guru/manager/technical lead was basically saying that they are in a position now where (my interpretation) they have milked everything to death and they are looking at growing the brand and diversifying the ownership from the historical (tweed/pipe/slippers) to a more sustainable, obviously whilst keeping the cash cows happy. Maybe this means more focus on their version of an entry level product funded by the odd marketing opportunity, like this monstrosity, I don't know. As long as they keep doing this;
They can make any manner of gold plated bananas for people who have nothing better to do with their money
It is an achingly cool brand and they really should, and could go head to head with things like the F12 with their USP. Personally I wish they'd release something like the CC100, with a sensible price tag and coupe, rather than the concept.
What about the DBC
Unfortunately I think we'll see a hybrid, and SUV type thing as priorities. That's what the people want on the school run and what will sell in the US.
Those photos...I may have just had a bit of a trouser moment.They can make any manner of gold plated bananas for people who have nothing better to do with their money
It is an achingly cool brand and they really should, and could go head to head with things like the F12 with their USP. Personally I wish they'd release something like the CC100, with a sensible price tag and coupe, rather than the concept.
What about the DBC
Unfortunately I think we'll see a hybrid, and SUV type thing as priorities. That's what the people want on the school run and what will sell in the US.
jet_noise said:
I don't know why this popped into my head:
Taraf
Princess
I think it's stunning too
regards,
Jet
Now you mention it I actually think it looks more like the original design for the Allegro as seen on that James May program.Taraf
Princess
I think it's stunning too
regards,
Jet
ETA: this one
Edited by JimbobVFR on Tuesday 9th February 13:10
I'd suggest that the people buying this have the sort of taste that means they think a Mercedes G Wagon (6 wheeler version) is cool, and that their cars should have candelabra inside too.
At this price I would think that 'class' doesn't come into the equation, as the car will just be an extension of their will to appear above their social and business peers. Doubtless the Sultan of Brunei will have one just because he can, knowing that he is in an exclusive band of lucky purchasers...
As for 24-carat gold badging, if it's 24 karat, then the gold will be pure, and therefore soft, so one wonders at the durability of any such badging (not withstanding its ability to resist nefarious serfs..)
If it's carat, then a carat is a unit of mass equal to 200 mg (0.2 g if I remember my maths) and is used for measuring gemstones and pearls. I'm sure AML would happily fashion badging out of ruby, emerald or any other gems should the new owner require it.
The law of diminishing returns seems to apply exponentially to vehicles like this, (although collectors and classic cars are excepted), and I'm afraid that to this onlooker, AML have tipped it over the event horizon into the Black Hole of 'meh'
I know what I mean, even if all of the above doesn't make sense....
At this price I would think that 'class' doesn't come into the equation, as the car will just be an extension of their will to appear above their social and business peers. Doubtless the Sultan of Brunei will have one just because he can, knowing that he is in an exclusive band of lucky purchasers...
As for 24-carat gold badging, if it's 24 karat, then the gold will be pure, and therefore soft, so one wonders at the durability of any such badging (not withstanding its ability to resist nefarious serfs..)
If it's carat, then a carat is a unit of mass equal to 200 mg (0.2 g if I remember my maths) and is used for measuring gemstones and pearls. I'm sure AML would happily fashion badging out of ruby, emerald or any other gems should the new owner require it.
The law of diminishing returns seems to apply exponentially to vehicles like this, (although collectors and classic cars are excepted), and I'm afraid that to this onlooker, AML have tipped it over the event horizon into the Black Hole of 'meh'
I know what I mean, even if all of the above doesn't make sense....
I saw one in the flesh coming out of Gaydon a couple of weeks ago and thought it looked stunning, very elegant with amazing presence. In no way whatsover does it look like a Princess, Allegro or a bloody Renault 25, think some people need to go to Specsavers!
The exterior looks and exclusivity seem to be the only positives, £700k is a joke if you look at it objectively but then again you could say that about most current Astons.
The exterior looks and exclusivity seem to be the only positives, £700k is a joke if you look at it objectively but then again you could say that about most current Astons.
It's a lot like the original Lagonda proportions in profile.
There was a lot of WTF noises when that thing came out, costing huge amounts. But as other have said, it's not aimed at the likes of us.
If there's some silly money out there in the world, AM may as well try and soak up as much as they can.
It looks nicer than that other stretched DB9 thing they make.
There was a lot of WTF noises when that thing came out, costing huge amounts. But as other have said, it's not aimed at the likes of us.
If there's some silly money out there in the world, AM may as well try and soak up as much as they can.
It looks nicer than that other stretched DB9 thing they make.
yonex said:
It is an achingly cool brand and they really should, and could go head to head with things like the F12 with their USP.
Maybe just being cool isn't enough now-a-days. The main competitors are providing so much substance with their efforts that Aston are going to have to follow suit at some point or risk falling away. The Taraf would appear to be a case in point as it doesn't seem to be shifting quite as well as hoped. It doesn't matter how good it looks if they have taken the mickey and offered nothing to back up the looks other than the mechanical's and interior of an aging car costing less than a quarter of the price. It could of have previewed any new technologies or design language that Aston are choosing to follow, it certainly should have offered something bespoke and revolutionary to match it's exterior at the price point. As it stands it's bound to be massively outdone by the new DB11 and the subsequent iterations of the Vantage and Rapide in all area's which would be a bit of a disappointment if it was me.yonex said:
What about the DBC
Unfortunately I think we'll see a hybrid, and SUV type thing as priorities. That's what the people want on the school run and what will sell in the US.
Yeah that is a good looking car! A mid engine Aston would surely sell in decent numbers wouldn't it?Unfortunately I think we'll see a hybrid, and SUV type thing as priorities. That's what the people want on the school run and what will sell in the US.
gigglebug said:
Yeah that is a good looking car! A mid engine Aston would surely sell in decent numbers wouldn't it?
Agreed, and I think you're right about the brand. Those of us who remember the association with early Bond, then the brash 80's and 90's cars tend to view Aston in a favorable light, no matter what. I know the V8 Vantage wasn't a match for the 911 and that the 911 has moved the game on again and again, but I still love the baby Aston. The next generation of buyers will surely want substance to go with the badge. Quickmoose said:
You'd think the daft super mega rich would be able to see that the interior sucks...perhaps if you're that super daft and mega minted you could afford to have one as a bauble on your drive.
I think despite the skill and attention to detail on the outside, overall, it's embarrassing.
By the looks of things the daft super mega rich may have spotted that the interior sucks! I'm sure that if the Taraf had been provided with a very luxurious, technically advanced but more importantly bespoke interior it would be a whole heap more desirable as an ownership prospect than it is as it stands and the production run could have sold out quite comfortably by now. On the face of it it promised to be a genuinely interesting creation and could have and really should have been so much more than it is, genuine shame it's turned out to be a bit of a let down. Maybe we've got to a point where even the minted are not prepared to have their trousers pulled down!I think despite the skill and attention to detail on the outside, overall, it's embarrassing.
sealtt said:
The interior is pathetic for such a project. By all means go out and show what you can do, make a US$1m car .... but at least do it properly and put a bit of effort in.
That is just not good enough is it for this price bracket...I mean look at those vents and buttonsEdited by sealtt on Tuesday 9th February 13:37
Just smells of pure laziness and lets maximise the profit on anyone foolish enough to buy it when the competition is so much better for less
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