Based on the Rapide and using the almost infinitely flexible VH architecture, the new saloon drew significant inspiration from the highly sought-after William Towns-designed Lagonda of 1976 and features many of the same cutting edge engineering techniques seen in modern Aston Martin sports cars like the Vanquish such as the use of carbon fibre body panels.

AML initially stated that the exclusive luxury four-door was being produced solely for the Middle East markets, but following serious enquiries from a number of wealthy customers elsewhere in the world AML announced days ahead of the 2015 Geneva Show, that the UK, European and South African markets would also be able to order the car. At the show during March, an example of the Taraf was exhibited within the VIP area. There was also some evidence that AML might have planned to market the Taraf in North America but it now appears not to have happened.

The Taraf was hand-built at Aston Martin’s manufacturing facilities in Gaydon, Warwickshire, in a dedicated building previously given over to the creation of the One-77 hypercar. Although no price was initially officially quoted, it is believed that British customers were be charged £580,000 plus VAT and German customers needed to find a sum towards a million Euros. Bespoke features commissioned from ‘Q’  will of course have pushed the price considerably higher.

Sales were anticipated to be quite low due in part to the extremely high sticker price and AML stated that an absolute maximum of only 200 are to be built in both left and right hand drive. In fact rather less examples were built making the Taraf one of the lowest volume VH cars ever made.

UK debut for the car was in the showroom of Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell in May 2015. The event coincided with the annual Bonhams auction and as the AMOC concours is traditionally held the next day, the Taraf was shown at Woburn Abbey too.

In an unusual spin off, it is rumoured that the extended Taraf chassis may form the basis of a long wheelbase Rapide  for launch around 2017 although this sadly never happened.

Lagonda Taraf side view

The AMG built V8 engine also powers the AM6 V8 Vantage

The open-top DB9 Zagato shares the same styling treatment as the DBS Zagato, although the curvaceous roof is lost, repalced by a folding soft-top. The Spyder, retains a new representation of Aston’s familiar side strake and vent, although this is absent from the coupe. This particular car has been based on a regular Gen4 DB9 Volante complete with the new V12 AM11 engine with 510bhp and a six-speed paddleshift transmission. It appears to have been finished in traditional Aston Martin Racing Green with Sahara Tan leather interior.

Following on from the Kensington Palace event, the Spyder recieved it’s US debut on the concept lawn during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegence in August 2013.

A press release issued during the 2014 Geneva Salon confirmed the existence of a third Centennial Zagato, a Virage based Shooting Brake, due to be shown later in the year.

The curvaceous styling of the car was by the gifted Frank Feeley who had been at Lagonda from 1926 and was also responsible for the pre-war LG45 Rapide and many post-was Aston Martins. Described as both graceful and modern, it sadly dated rapidly as more modern full width coachwork became the fashion.

The 2.6 Lagonda sold reasonably well in austerity Britain although it was expensive at £3,420 inclusive of tax, heavy (1543 kg), thirsty and not overly fast, struggling to reach 90 mph. The 4 door saloon version was a little cheaper at £3110.

The car shown here is LAG/48/5, the first 2.6 litre drophead coupe, a factory demonstrator, 1948 London Motor Show car which became the personal transport for Mrs David Brown, the wife of the new company chairman.

• Ultramarine Black Paint
• 10-spoke Silver Diamond Turned Wheels
• Bespoke Solid Sterling Silver Lagonda
• Wings Badge with red transparent enamel
• Bespoke Volcano Red Side Strake Housing
• Black Bonnet & Side Strake Meshes
• Q wing badges
• Bespoke two-tone trim split
• Upper Environment- Aurora Blue
• Seats and Lower Environment – Q White Essence Semi-aniline
• Seat Inners – Snowflake Perforation
• Aurora Blue Colour-Keyed Steering Wheel
• Bespoke Red trans-enamel rotaries
• Bespoke Quilt Pattern
• Caspian Blue Carpet with Dark Blue Lambswool Overmats
• Final Edition Sill Plaque
• 3-piece Lagonda Luggage – Aurora Blue leather
• Lagonda Wings embroidery

Now the  final Taraf’s are completed and delivered, AML will probably never build another petrol engined Lagonda. All future Lagonda cars planned to be fully electric vehicles.

Specification for the DB9 Carbon Volante is as follows

• Two-door Volante body style with 2+2 seating, 2015MY
• Carbon Black II or Stratus White coachwork
• North American market cars were also built in Lightning Silver, Ceramic Grey, Morning Frost White,  Tungsten Silver,  Quantum Silver and Meteorite Silver, Volcano Red, Onyx Black and Jet Black
• Black window surrounds
• Carbon fibre side strakes, front splitter, rear diffuser, mirror cars and rear lamp infills
• Graphitic finish on the tail pipes
• Standard or optional sports exhaust
• Black meshes
• Painted or optional Carbon door handles
• Gloss black diamond turned wheels
• Brake callipers in a choice of black, grey, red or yellow
• Black roof with Black Rokona headlining
• Obsidian Black hide (other colours on North American market cars)
• Welt in a choice of black, silver, red or yellow with same or black stitching
• Carbon Fibre facia and door pulls
• Paddle tips in Carbon Fibre or optional red, yellow or silver
• Steering wheel in black leather or Alcantara
• Piano Black air vents
• Black anodised rotary switches
• Black tread plate and pedals
• Special Carbon White sill plaques

Although not believed to be a numbered special edition, only 66 DB9 Carbon Edition Volantes were built.

The specification of the cars reflects elements of the North Coast itself. The Q Bison Brown leather interior is inspired by the North Coast 500 logo and the exterior Q Seychelles Blue is a close match to the logo, and the same colour as Prince Charles’ DB6 Mark II Volante.

In addition, Dunbeath Tweed has been added to the sun visors, door cards, seat inserts and the central powered stowage area to provide an extra Scottish touch, and Dark Ash Open Pore has been chosen for the interior trim to deliver a much more striking look.

Each car is embroidered to the individual edition and comes with its own sill plate for authenticity – making each vehicle extra special. Moreover, as these cars were built by Q by Aston Martin, each car comes with ‘Q’ wing badging and a two-piece luggage set in the same leather and tweed as the car interior.

• 2017MY DB11 V12 coupe, right hand drive
• Seychelles Blue coachwork
• Saltire themed AM wings badges
• Bison Brown leather
• Sun visors, door cards, seat inserts and central storage area in Dunbeath Tweed
• Interior trim in Dark Ash Open Pore
• Numbered sill plates
• Luggage set in Bison Brown leather & Dunbeath Tweed

Aston Martin Lagonda were so impressed with the new coachwork, it was adopted for the upcoming 3.0 litre model. As the new Tickford body was so much heavier, the extra power from the 3.0 litre engine was key as otherwise the newer 3 litre would have been slower than the outgoing 2.6 litre model.