Aston Martin Lagonda
Aston Martin Lagonda
The Aston Martin Lagonda is a futuristic full-size luxury four-door saloon manufactured by British manufacturer Aston Martin between 1974 and 1990.
A total of 645 were produced.
The name was derived from the Lagonda marque that Aston Martin had purchased in 1947.
There are two distinct generations:
· the original, the short lived 1974 design based on a lengthened Aston Martin V8,
· and the entirely redesigned, wedge-shaped Series 2 model introduced in 1976.
In 2014, Aston Martin confirmed it would launch a new Lagonda model called the Taraf for the Middle-East market, sold on an invitation-only basis as a successor to this saloon.[1]
(Source: Walker, Steve (25 July 2014). “Lagonda is back! Aston Martin teases new super-saloon”. Auto Express).
As of 2022, 113 remain registered in the United Kingdom -but 82 are SORN (unregistered for routine road use).
(Source: “ASTON MARTIN LAGONDA (model family) — How Many Left?”. www.howmanyleft.co.uk. Retrieved 12 August 2023).
https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/family/aston_martin_lagonda
Specifications (Series 1)
· Engine and power output: 5.3-L 5,340 cc (326 cu in) DOHC V8, 280 hp (209 kW; 284 PS), 301 lb⋅ft (408 N⋅m) of torque
· Top speed: 240 km/h (149 mph)
· 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph): 6.2 seconds
· Length: 4,928 mm (194.0 in)
· Wheelbase: 2,910 mm (114.6 in)
· Width: 1,829 mm (72.0 in)
· Height: 1,323 mm (52.1 in)
· Weight: 2,000 kg (4,409 lb)
At least two of the cars have been upgraded by R.S. Williams Ltd of Cobham to a 7.0-litre version of the original engine, able to generate a power output ranging from 440 to 480 hp (328 to 358 kW) on unleaded fuel.
Specification (Series 2)
Series 2 (1976–1985)
The Series 2 model has pop-up headlights and a design in-line with folded paper wedged shaped trend of the 1970s
The interior of the Series 2 had a futuristic dashboard and controls.
The wedge-shaped Lagonda V8 saloon was launched in 1976 at the London Motor Show and was a total contrast to the 1974 model, sharing little but the engine.
Deliveries of the Lagonda did not commence until 1979.
Series 2 cars were originally fitted with digital LCD dashboards and touch button controls but these features were abandoned in 1980.
The Lagonda retailed at £49,933 in 1980, significantly more than a Ferrari 400 or Maserati Kyalami but less than a Rolls-Royce Corniche.
The car commenced sales in the US from 1982 with minor regulatory amendments to the front bumper and airdam.
· Engine and power output: 5.3 L 5,340 cc (326 cu in) DOHC V8, 280 hp (209 kW; 284 PS) at 5,000 rpm, 302 lb⋅ft (409 N⋅m) of torque at 3,000 rpm
· Top speed: 230 km/h (143 mph)
· 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph): 8.8 seconds
· Length: 5,281 mm (207.9 in)
· Wheelbase: 2,916 mm (114.8 in)
· Width: 1,791 mm (70.5 in)
· Height: 1,302 mm (51.3 in)
· Weight: 2,023 kg (4,460 lb)
· Series 3 (1986–1987)
Series 3 (1986)
Series 3 was produced for only one year with 75 units manufactured.
All had fuel injected engines.
Cathode ray tube instrumentation was later changed to a vacuum fluorescent display system and shared exterior styling with the Series 2.
Series 4 (1987–1990)
The 1987 Series 4 had more rounded, but also more slab-sided styling.
The Series 4 was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1987, having been extensively restyled by the car’s original designer William Towns.
Sharp edges were rounded off and the pop-up headlights were replaced with three headlights on each side of the grille. The side swage line (or character line) was removed and 16-inch wheels were introduced.
With production of around one car per week, 105 cars were manufactured through January 1990.
72 of the Series 4 cars were built with left-hand drive.
Special variants
1987/1998 Roos Engineering shooting-brake Lagonda
Aftermarket variations of the Lagonda included:
· Tickford Lagonda (1983) — Five Series 2 Lagondas were sold with a bodykit and upgraded interiors;
· Tickford limousine (1984) — Four long-wheelbase Lagondas were made, at a cost of £110,000 each. On these cars, the rear door window glass was split vertically in half;
· Rapide (a two-door, short-wheelbase version) — one made with the front triple headlight design of the Series 4;
· Shooting-brake (Estate) by Swiss company Roos Engineering — one made in 1998 using a 1987 model;
· Lagonda Vantage — a 1985 Lagonda with Vantage engine for an Indian Londoner.
