Aston Martin is preparing to launch ‘two or three’ new- generation Lagonda models, CEO Ulrich Bez confirmed. The new Lagondas will include a sporty crossover, an Audi Allroad-type crossover and a high-end luxury sedan resembling the boxy 1976 Aston Martin Lagonda.

The Lagonda crossover will have two different designs derived from the new Mercedes M-class out later in 2011. The concept was designed by AML design pencil-in chief Marek Reichman. One crossover will be sporty with 21 inch rims coupled with a low-riding chassis.

The other will be an Audi Allroad-type vehicle targeted at Range Rover customers. Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez explained ‘Lagonda cannot survive as a one-model brand’. ’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…”

The luxury sedan referred to as Project Swan will combine traditional luxury with advanced packaging and a sophisticated drivetrain.

[Source: Car]

Rumors of a partnership between Aston Martin and Mercedes-Benz surfaced quite some time ago, but according to a new report a deal between has been stuck between the two luxury marques – one that will benefit plans both firms have for their boutique luxury brands.

The terms of the tie-up will see Aston Martin get the GL platform from Mercedes on which to build its Lagonda SUV, which should be priced in the range of $250,000. Aston will also get access to new Mercedes engine technology, with the new twin-turbo 4.7-liter V8 a likely candidate for the Lagonda.

In return, Aston will develop the next-generation Maybach models, based off the upcoming Mercedes S-Class chassis. Mercedes is betting on a recovered economy and demand in China to help keep the Maybach brand economically viable. But that’s not all.

For its efforts Aston Martin will also be rewarded with access to the S-Class chassis to build a Rolls-Royce rivaling Lagonda sedan that would cost as much as $350,000. The British sports car maker may even use the chassis of the SLS to replace its current VH architecture, which is used for every model in Aston’s lineup.

The first fruits of this joint-venture will be on display at this Fall’s Frankfurt Auto Show, with Maybach set to show-off its new Aston Martin-built luxury saloon.

[Source: Car & Driver]

The negative reaction to Aston Martin‘s Lagonda concept car at the Geneva Auto Show two years ago might have seemed like the end of a plan to revive the marque, but the British luxury automaker is ready to prove doubters wrong, with CEO Ulrich Bez now confirming the new sub-brand has been given the green light.

Perhaps more importantly, Aston Martin has a larger plan, with Bez telling AutoCar that more products for Lagonda are in the pipe. Don’t look for Lagonda sports cars, however, but more SUVs, with the brand squarely focused on AWD models designed for Russia, China and other emerging markets.

Priced between £100-300k ($160,000 to $480,000) the brand will launch a new ultra-luxury SUV segment well beyond current high-end SUVs like the Porsche Cayenne.

Thankfully it appears as though the first Lagonda model will differ significantly from the concept car. Described by Aston design boss Marek Reichman as “a reaction car,” he points out that while reaction to the vehicle was negative, reaction to the brand proved otherwise. “People didn’t say Lagonda shouldn’t exist, they just said that a Lagonda shouldn’t look like that. Our research shows that 60 per cent of people thought Lagonda was a viable brand.”

GALLERY: Aston Martin Lagonda Concept

[Source: AutoCar]

Despite rumors indicating that Aston Martin had axed plans to build its Lagonda SUV concept and instead go with a Rapide-based sedan, the British automaker appears ready to move ahead with its original product rollout.

At a lecture yesterday in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, 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.

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.

GALLERY: Aston Martin Lagonda Concept

[Source: Autoblog.nl]

After Aston Martin‘s botched attempt at resurrecting the Langonda brand with its Crossover concept at last year’s Geneva Auto Show, the British automaker will now head in a new direction, basing an upcoming model on the current Rapide platform.

By all accounts the Rapide has been been well-received, although a repeated complaint is the lack of space in the rear seats of the 4-door. (Why build a 4-door if the rear isn’t even functional).

According to Automotive News, the new plan for Lagonda is to develop a version of the Rapide with added second-row space. Its not clear if this will be a clever way of repackaging the interior or if Aston Martin will stretch the Rapide’s platform. What it will do is help Aston Martin expand its product offering while cutting costs through economies of scale.

Either way, don’t expect the Rapide-based Lagonda for at least four years.

GALLERY: Aston Martin Rapide

GALLERY: Lagonda Crossover Concept

[Source: Automotive News via Autoblog]

With the release of a new selection of photos of its much-maligned Lagonda Concept, Aston Martin seems to be re-testing the waters to see if there is interest in a luxury SUV, marketed under the slightly more affordable Lagonda brand. The vehicle was first shown at the Geneva Auto Show last March and was not well received.

With the recession now on its way out and a new era of lavish spending around the corner (Aston hopes), it has decided to revisit the concept once again to see if moods have changed. No doubt, some will now be more favorable and we can certainly see there being some demand for the Mercedes GL-based SUV. But will such limited demand be enough?

According to a report on egmCarTech, Aston’s design team has been tasked with creating another concept to debut at an upcoming auto show. Perhaps this time we’ll get some sort of 5 Series GT sportback concept aimed at an expanding market segment, rather than an SUV in a segment that continues to shrink.

Aston Martin has said it intends to bring a production Lagonda model to market by 2012.

GALLERY: Aston Martin Lagonda Concept

[Source: eGMCarTech]

Today Aston Martin revived the Lagonda brand by unveiling a Lagonda concept car at the Geneva Auto Show. The only thing is, it’s more of a crossover.

Actually, it’s more of a truck. You see, crossovers are generally SUVs built on car platforms; the Lagonda Concept is based on the Mercedes-Benz GL truck platform.

“An Aston Martin is an authentic, pure sports car,” says Dr Ulrich Bez, “but Lagonda is something else, a new brand that will reach into new markets. Lagonda will create a new kind of customer relationship, instilling the spirit of travel, adventure and style into a single, formidable package.”

“An Aston Martin demands to be driven. A Lagonda demands a destination.”

The vehicle also represents Aston Martin’s desire to expand and grow… in a big way. The Lagonda Concept is more than just a design study that is soon to be relegated to an automotive museum. Aston Martin has bold ambitions for the brand.

Currently Aston Martin vehicles are sold in just 32 countries worldwide. The Lagonda, said Dr. Bez, will be sold in 100 countries. That being said, production numbers are sure to far exceed anything Aston Martin currently produces.

The crossover design makes the Lagonda Concept able to be marketed around the world because it is more useable and unlike an Aston, doesn’t have any ground clearance issues. It also features four-wheel drive and seats four inside.

Once Lagondas go into production, the vehicles will be sold in the usual territories, as well as Russia, the Middle East, South America, India and China.

“The Lagonda is the luxury car of the future,” said Dr. Bez, “a combination of total usability, a new form and innovative new technology and materials.”

Aston is also going to use the Lagonda brand to explore alternative energy sources. There is no word on what can be found under the hood of the concept vehicle but future Lagondas could be powered by anything from a low emission diesel, a flexfuel engine or even a hybrid powerplant.

GALLERY: Lagonda Concept Car

More on the Lagonda Concept after the jump:

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