Aston Martin sets Lagonda free

ASTON Martin has confirmed right-hand drive production for its striking Lagonda Taraf sedan, meaning it will be made available in parts of Europe and South Africa after it was initially offered in Middle Eastern markets only.

Following its launch in Dubai late last year, strong customer demand has forced Aston to re-engineer the Lagonda to make it suitable for other markets, but the British sportscar-maker is still limiting production to just 200 vehicles.

Right-hand drive production means there is a chance that a small number of the strictly limited sedans could make it Down Under, but GoAuto is awaiting comment from Aston Martin Australia to confirm this.

Even without Australia as a confirmed market, Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer said the company will have no problem shifting all 200 units.

“As a result of today's announcement we anticipate very quick expressions of interest from customers around the world, many of whom will want to add Lagonda to their luxury and sportscar collections,” he said.

“I'm also particularly pleased that we have been able to engineer Lagonda for right-hand drive markets meaning, of course that I'm sure we will see the car in use on Aston Martin's 'home ground' of the UK in due course.”The limited-production limo is built on the Gaydon-based manufacturer's VH platform – the same architecture underpinning the Rapide super-sedan – and is designed as an homage to the Lagonda model that launched in 1976.

Extensive use of carbon-fibre – including for the body panels – and a 6.0-litre naturally-aspirated V12 engine, bring the luxury sedan closer to the One-77 supercar than its Lagonda predecessor.

According to Aston Martin, each Lagonda will be “significantly different in each case due to high levels of bespoke content,” and that buyers, “will have the option of ensuring their car is truly unique by personalising it”.

Sales of Aston's current luxury sedan, the Rapide, have been steady, with the British car-maker selling 10 vehicles in Australia in 2014, compared with 13 in 2013, accounting for 9.3 and 13.1 per cent total vehicle sales for each respective year.