Last year Kuwaiti-backed manufacturer Aston Martin announced an ambition to double sales by 2016. That means an annual production of 7,000 models, up from its current 3,400 per year, but you can bet the creation pictured here will not make up the bulk of those numbers.
No, this is the 2015 Aston Martin Lagonda, and it’s the first ever mega-ultra-luxury-premium car to be developed exclusively for the Middle East.
You read that right — while the US continues to take up the bulk of the ultra-luxury car market, populated by Rolls-Royces and Bentleys, China and Russia are catching up.
Yet Aston Martin chose specifically our region for its strictly limited series scheduled for early next year.
Speaking to wheels, Neil Slade, general manager of Aston Martin Middle East and North Africa, says, “We’ve had many of our prestigious customers asking for this super-saloon concept for the past two years. Our Middle East customers are very engaging and proactive.”
The car responsible also sees the return of the Lagonda nameplate, and we can only be glad it’s not an evolution of the 2009 Aston Martin Lagonda concept.
Aston Martin design director Marek Reichman says, “The debut of this luxury super-saloon in the Middle East market will be an exciting moment, not only for Aston Martin, but for discerning customers who are seeking the ultimate in luxury and personalisation.”
And if you’re only hearing about it now, yet you want one, that’s too bad. If Gaydon hasn’t already been in touch with you, chances are you’re unworthy — this Aston Martin Lagonda is by invitation only.
Price? Anyone’s guess, really, and ours is somewhere north of Dh3 million but less than the Dh5-million One-77.
Slade adds, “At this stage we cannot be specific [about pricing] but, indeed, it will be substantial. The Lagonda is a very limited series and should be considered like a precious piece of art. The Lagonda will be tailor-made to the individual and will definitely fall into the hands of our cutting-edge Q design team at our headquarters. We will be implementing many new technologies, designs and colours, of course.”
So, the Middle East dreamt it, now they will build it. Following on from the limited and hand-crafted One-77 hypercar, the Lagonda saloon will be built in much the same, bespoke fashion.
Although, unlike the One-77, it is based on the company’s VH architecture that made its debut a full decade ago with the 2004 DB9, the Lagonda will draw inspiration from its infamous 1976 namesake penned by renowned designer William Towns, who also did the Jensen-Healey and the 1967 DBS.
Slade is keeping production numbers close to his chest: “This is a limited-series project and, as such, we’ve chosen to keep the details confidential.” In any case, chances are you won’t park next to another at LuLu.
The extensive bodywork will be crafted entirely from carbon fibre by hand, and built in the same dedicated building previously used exclusively for the One-77.
In exchange for your millions, Gaydon will create an entirely bespoke Lagonda personalised to your every taste, however classy or brash.
“This shows the importance of our Middle East market and how we take our customers’ wishes very seriously — we want to react and satisfy the appetite of our most discerning customers.
The inspiration of the car being Lagonda is fitting especially when this car was so successful and popular in the Middle East back in the late Seventies,” ends Slade.
