Photo: Aston Martin
Gentlemen with bigger bank accounts than sense, it’s our pleasure to present you with what Aston Martin calls the Lagonda Taraf. You heard that right - the special-for-Middle East flagship sedan from James Bond’s marque of choice was baptized like that.
Unveiled at an extravagant event in Dubai by Aston Martin chief executive officer Andy Palmer, the Lagonda Taraf is just what the Middle East oil sheiks ordered. Nevermind what Aston Martin wants you to believe about this thing because we need to go deeper than what the release wants us to believe.
Why the Taraf? Aston Martin people say that’s the Arabic for “ultimate luxury”, but we tend to disagree with their marketing talk. Taraf means extremity, the Turkish meaning translates to side, while the Romanian taraf is the equivalent of small orchestra. Seriously Aston, what were you thinking?
Questionable naming aside, does anyone remember the original Lagonda four-door sports sedan from the 1970s? It was the most sorry moment in recent Aston Martin history. Some say it was designed with a scholar’s geometry set. To boot, the model was riddled with electronic glitches and it wasn’t as desirable as the muscle car-ish 1973 Series 3 Aston Martin V8 Vantage, the one with the hood scoop.
The Lagonda was ugly then, but now it’s borderline atrocious. Furthermore, does anyone think of the Citroen Metropolis concept when looking at the side profile and rear quarters of the Taraf? Not that original design-wise, truth be told. Last but not least, the Taraf rides on the donkey old VH platform and power is sent to the rear axle via a Ford-era 6L V12 engine. Snazzy piece of kit there, Aston Martin... not.
Why the Taraf? Aston Martin people say that’s the Arabic for “ultimate luxury”, but we tend to disagree with their marketing talk. Taraf means extremity, the Turkish meaning translates to side, while the Romanian taraf is the equivalent of small orchestra. Seriously Aston, what were you thinking?
Questionable naming aside, does anyone remember the original Lagonda four-door sports sedan from the 1970s? It was the most sorry moment in recent Aston Martin history. Some say it was designed with a scholar’s geometry set. To boot, the model was riddled with electronic glitches and it wasn’t as desirable as the muscle car-ish 1973 Series 3 Aston Martin V8 Vantage, the one with the hood scoop.
The Lagonda was ugly then, but now it’s borderline atrocious. Furthermore, does anyone think of the Citroen Metropolis concept when looking at the side profile and rear quarters of the Taraf? Not that original design-wise, truth be told. Last but not least, the Taraf rides on the donkey old VH platform and power is sent to the rear axle via a Ford-era 6L V12 engine. Snazzy piece of kit there, Aston Martin... not.
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