Lagonda Concept LUV
Lagonda Concept LUV

Lagonda Concept LUV

(2009)

In 2008, AML announced that it was their intention to re-launch the Lagonda marque just in time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the company commencing the building of motorcars. The very first day of the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, when Marek Reichman, Aston Martin Director of Design pulled the covers off, it was clear that the onlookers were a little taken aback by what they saw. That the car was a 4 door was a given, but an avant-garde 4-wheel drive SUV crossover was unexpected despite the strong rumours. AML described the car as an LUV, which stood for 'Luxury Utility Vehicle'.

Lagonda Concept LUV

At the time, very little was really known about the detailed specification of the 2009 Lagonda Concept, except that it was based on Mercedes GL running gear and supposedly powered by an Aston Martin V12 (it was!). The idea behind the concept was to bring performance luxury into emerging markets and territories around the world, especially emerging markets in Russia, the Middle East, South America, India, and China. Calling the concept a full off-roader isn’t correct since it was designed as a luxury performance vehicle with 4 wheel drive and additional ground clearance for roads of potentially poor quality.

The press release at the time proudly announced the return of the iconic marque and I’m sure that the intention to go into production was a strong possibility. Yet, the car only lasted on the main turntable of the stand for a single day, being replaced initially by a One-77 rolling chassis and then by a One-77 1:1 modelDBX Concept first seen at Geneva in 2015.

Eventually after 10 years hidden away, the controversial Lagonda received its first public viewing at the 2019 AMOC Spring Concours by special arrangement with the AMHT and the car’s owner. Buy 2023, the car was offered for sale by auction on the online marketplace, Collecting Cars.
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Of course, the next car to carry the Lagonda badge did not turn out to be a 4×4 at all but the fabulous Lagonda Taraf.

  • Body/Coachwork:
    • Bespoke 4-door coachwork in aluminium on a modified Mercedes Benz GL rolling chassis
    • panoramic sunroof
  • Interior:
    • Full four seater
    • Bitter Chocolate and Magnolia hide interior
    • silk rear footwell rugs
    • Piano Black facia
    • rear console with two cut-glass tumblers
  • Engine:
    • Aston Martin V12 engine, 5925cc
  • Transmission:
    • Six-speed automatic
  • Wheels and tyres:
    • 22-inch twin five-spoke alloy wheels
    • Continental tyres
  • Suspension:
    • Air suspension
  • Brakes:
    • Carbon ceramic brakes
  • Performance:
    • Unknown
  • Price at launch:
    • Not offered for sale in period