Aston CEO Ulrich Bez confirmed that the Lagonda will be a four-wheel drive SUV. Bez even went so far as to say that the production model is “almost complete” and that the company should have more official info to offer by the end of the year.
Bez even went so far as to say that the production model is “almost complete” and that the company should have more official info to offer by the end of the year. While the decision to move ahead in the SUV segment seems foolish, it meshes well with Aston’s plan to push ahead of emerging markets like China, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, where a 4WD truck makes more sense. The decision may actually prove fortuitous as SUV sales are once again on the rise in North America.
The luxury utility is slated to ride on the Mercedes-Benz GL platform, but the company is keeping drivetrain details to itself for the time being. The Lagonda Concept debuted at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show and has since existed under a hail of disparaging comments from journalists and enthusiasts alike. Last month, Aston Martin owner David Richards officially announced that the project would be scrapped. And while there was much rejoicing at the time, it appears the Bez sees dollar signs in the mega-buck crossover market, pedigree be damned.
In March of last year, the legendary brand shocked the world when unveiling a concept of the Lagonda. The thought of an Aston SUV was seen as something that would destroy the company’s long standing heritage. Consequently, it didn’t come as much of a surprise that company owner David Richards announced he was putting the project to a stop. Now the carmaker is making another 180 degree turn, stating that high demand from emerging markets like Russia, China and the Middle East justify such an Aston SUV. The collaboration with Mercedes doesn’t come as a huge surprise, since Lagonda’s Concept was based on the current GL 4×4. Rumors have long been circulating about a possible German-British collaboration on a hybrid powerplant. Aston says however that most of the new model’s components will be created in-house to preserve the brand’s unique driving dynamics.
No word on when Aston plans on bringing the Lagonda SUV to the marker or how many they plan on selling. Reports also suggest that Aston is considering a Lagonda sedan based on the Aston Martin Rapide.
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