In an interview with CAR Magazine, Aston Martin CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez revealed that his company will relaunch the Lagonda brand with two or three new models.
Like the ill-received 2009 Lagonda concept, the first new Lagonda will be a midsize crossover based on the next-generation Mercedes-Benz M-Class. The styling has apparently been alterred from the concept by Aston's chief designer Marek Reichman. While this Lagonda crossover will be a sporty, road-going model, a second is intended to "attract the odd Range Rover customer," according to CAR.
"Langonda cannot survive as a one-model brand," Bez told CAR. "That's why we are looking at two, maybe three different offerings. The most logical follow-up to the crossover is a high-end, high-visibility luxury saloon not unlike the angular Lagonda designed by William Towns (pictured above) which was not only very different because of its high-tech (and horribly unreliable - Riz) electronic dashboard."
It is speculated that this this Lagonda sedan would also be based on a Mercedes-Benz. The full Bez interview can be found in the June issue of CAR.
bodyblue says:
11:02 AM, 05/19/11
I remember when the original Lagondas came out......ugly as hell and unreliable as only a late 70 British car can be. The best engineered part of that car was the Chrysler TorqueFlite automatic they used.
desmolicious says:
01:41 PM, 05/19/11
I remember when Aston was headed by Victor Gauntlett (real name).
Now it's Dr. Ulrich Bez.
How times have changed.
bankerdanny says:
02:03 PM, 05/19/11
Midsized crossover? THAT'S how they try to relaunch the brand? Yawn.
bimmerjay says:
09:31 AM, 05/20/11
I just hope the new Lagondas also have 6 headlights.
suju89 says:
09:50 AM, 05/20/11
Do they have to call it Lagonda?