Lagonda back on

Lagonda SUV Concept – back on again

Aston Martin has revealed that they are pushing ahead with the relaunch of Lagonda and that there will be a Lagonda SUV.

To be honest, we’re not too sure that Lagonda was actually ‘Off’ after a rather disastrous debut at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show with their antimacassar-endowed, cushion-boasting Lagonda SUV Concept. We’d just assumed it. But if it was ‘Off’, it’s now back ‘On’ again.

We had assumed things were off because David Richards had told us to expect a new Lagonda concept in May 2009 which would be nothing like the SUV they showcased at Geneva in March 2009. But that new concept didn’t happen.

And then nothing since – except a few more photos of the Lagonda SUV – until now. Now Aston Martin boss Ulrich Bez has been busy telling Autocar that AM are definitely pushing ahead with a Lagonda revival.

Unfortunately Ulrich Bez alludes to Maybach as an example of a relaunch of a once-successful model, stating that Lagonda could be relaunched for much less. And more successfully, we hope.

But perhaps the reference to Maybach has more to do wjth Aston keeping on-side in the discussions to revamp the Maybach range for Daimler, and a wish to use Mercedes underpinnings for Lagondas (the Lagonda SUV Concept was based on a Mercedes GL).

Whatever the reason, we’re a bit alarmed to read that “…future Lagondas will be four-wheel-drive SUVs and target emerging markets, especially Russia and China.” Which is about as far away from what a Lagonda should be as is possible.

To add to that wonderful prospect Lagonda will produce armoured versions of all their products and the target price is a range between £100k and £300k. Which means Aston Martin are aiming the Lagonda at the new wealthy in emerging markets.

But then again, Marcel Beci – Aston Martin’s Euro boss – told us less than two years ago that “Lagonda will NOT have an SUV/Crossover, however luxurious, in its lineup.”

So it could all still change. Again.