Lagonda Taraf

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Lagonda Taraf
Kerb weight
4,398 lb (1,995 kg)[3]

The Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf is a

Middle Eastern
market with a limited run of 100 units, Aston Martin later expanded the car's availability to several other countries and ultimately built 200.

The Taraf has a 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) acceleration time of 4.4 seconds and a maximum speed of 314 km/h (195 mph). The car features

US$
1 million. The car received mostly positive reviews for its spacious rear seating and handling ability.

Background and development

Purple 1960s four-door parked on grass
The Lagonda Rapide was Aston Martin's first four-door car.

The

centenary.[26][27][28]

The development of the Taraf began in February 2014 at Aston Martin's design studio in

Arabic language.[29] The project was carried out by Aston Martin's Q division, which specialises in creating bespoke cars and customising existing models to meet customer specifications. The design studio completed the final full-sized model within eight months of the initial studio sketches. Marek Reichman credited the swift execution to the lessons learned from producing the One-77, which took two years to progress from design to completion.[1]

Closeup of the rear three-quarters view of the Lagonda Taraf
Rear view

As part of its extensive testing programme, Aston Martin took a nearly production-ready Taraf model to Oman, where it underwent approximately 14,000 miles (23,000 km) of testing for more than four weeks. Most of the test was to assess how the Lagonda's components—primarily the air conditioning system and interior trims—handled the extreme heat, with temperatures ranging from 30 to 50 °C (86 to 122 °F). Aston Martin reported that the car was already performing "beyond expectations".[1][30][31]

The Taraf debuted in

US$1 million.[43][note 2] The manufacture of the Taraf ceased at the end of 2016.[45]

Design and technology

Considered "the finest of fast cars" by Aston Martin,

carbon fibre exterior; consequently, despite the latter's larger size, both cars are of similar weight.[48][49] The Taraf incorporates anti-roll bars, adaptive dampers, and a double wishbone suspension system supported by coil springs.[36] The interior of the vehicle incorporated elements from other Aston Martin models, including a console-mounted push-button transmission controls, an advanced infotainment system, a 1,000-watt Bang & Olufsen BeoSound audio system, and leather upholstery. Buyers could choose from a range of trims, including wood and carbon fibre. The car's extended wheelbase provided enhanced legroom for the rear-seat passengers.[50]

The Taraf features

rear-wheel drive layout and front engine placement.[51][48] The vehicle features a six-speed Touchtronic III automatic transmission developed by ZF Friedrichshafen.[55]

Reception

The interior of a luxury car. The bronze upholstery is the most prominent colour, but there are hints of brown too.
Interior

The Taraf received predominantly positive reviews, with most critics noting the steep price as its primary drawback. Jason Barlow of the magazine Top Gear noted that "it [does not] ride as well as its rivals, but despite its size and physical presence, it handles better than [you would] expect".[55] Mike Duff of Car and Driver emphasised the light yet responsive hydraulic steering and the chassis's impressive lateral grip, even in wet conditions. He also noted that "the brakes lack much initial bite but have plenty of stopping power when worked more forcefully," adding that it is "downright hard not to drive at the sort of speeds that would produce complaints from any rear-seat occupants—or possibly a sharp tap from a gold-tipped cane".[51]

Angus MacKenzie, reviewing for Motor Trend, wrote that "this $1 million saloon, hand-built by Aston Martin, costs more than five times as much as a Mercedes-Maybach S600. Yet it matters little to the people who will buy the Taraf that the Maybach is technically the more accomplished ultra-luxury saloon".[1] The Autocar magazine also criticised its price, noting that for the same amount, one could buy a Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé, a Bentley Mulsanne and a Range Rover SV Autobiography, but acknowledged the "unmatched exclusivity" of the car.[3]

References

Notes

  1. ^ Not to be confused with the Aston Martin Rapide from 2010
  2. £696,000 in the UK[44]

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e f Tisshaw, Mark (17 August 2015). "2015 Aston Martin Lagonda priced at £685,000". Autocar. Archived from the original on 7 September 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e MacKenzie, Angus (18 February 2016). "2016 Lagonda Taraf review: the $1 million hand-built sedan by Aston Martin". Motor Trend. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Duff, Mike (4 February 2016). "Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf 2015-2016 review". Autocar. Archived from the original on 6 June 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  4. ^ a b Pattni, Vijay (11 November 2014). "Aston's Lagonda could be sold worldwide". Top Gear. BBC. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  5. ^ a b Holloway, Hilton (3 March 2015). "Aston Martin unveils a giant limo, but has female buyers in mind". Autocar. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
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  12. ^ Duff, Mike (14 March 2017). "Aston Martin considers turning Lagonda into a range of super-luxury sedans". Car and Driver. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  13. ^ Vale 2022, p. 138.
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  19. ^ Ramey, Jay (8 July 2021). "One of only 55 made, a rare Lagonda Rapide heads to auction". Autoweek. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  20. ^ Tremayne, David (November 1993). "The finest of fast cars?". Motor Sport. p. 48. Archived from the original on 13 January 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
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  23. ^ Cotton, Mike (November 1993). "The last Lagonda". Motor Sport. p. 56. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
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  26. ^ Hetzner, Christiaan (2 September 2008). "Aston Martin to revive Lagonda brand for growth". Reuters. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  27. ^ Lewin, Tony (15 September 2008). "Aston will revive Lagonda marque". Automotive News Europe. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  28. ^ Martinez, Nate (2 September 2008). "Aston Martin to restore classic Lagonda marque by 2012". Motor Trend. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  29. ^ Preston, Benjamin (14 November 2014). "Wheelies: The parade of Progress Edition". The New York Times: (L)–(L). Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  30. ^ Pattni, Vijay (8 September 2014). "First look at the new Aston Lagonda". Top Gear. BBC. Archived from the original on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  31. ^ Neil, Dan (18 August 2016). "Aston Martin's New $1 Million, 195-mph Limousine". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  32. ^ Pollard, Tim (11 November 2014). "Aston Martin names Lagonda Taraf, may come to UK". Car. Archived from the original on 27 November 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  33. ^ Pollard, Tim (28 February 2015). "Lagonda Taraf confirmed for UK, right-hand drive sale". Car. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
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  37. ^ Atiyeh, Clifford (2 March 2015). "Aston Martin Lagonda availability expanded, car scores new last name". Car and Driver. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  38. ^ Zhang, Benjamin (4 March 2015). "Aston Martin's top-secret Lagonda Taraf super-sedan has arrived and it could cost $1.7 million". Yahoo! Finance. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
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  41. ^ Ingram, Antony; Sheehan, Sam (18 August 2015). "Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf luxury saloon priced from £696,000". Evo. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  42. ^ "Export performance for Aston Martin". The Daily Telegraph. 4 April 2015. p. 5.
  43. ^ Udy, Jason (25 April 2016). "2016 Lagonda Taraf by Aston Martin driven on ignition". Motor Trend. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
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  49. ^ "The 7 best sports saloons money can buy". Goodwood. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
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  52. ^ Mathew, Viju (7 September 2017). "Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf". Robb Report. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
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  55. ^ a b Barlow, Jason (4 December 2015). "World exclusive: Aston's £696k Lagonda super-limo driven". Top Gear. BBC. Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2024.

Books

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf.
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