Aston Martin looks to revive the Lagonda brand with electric vehicles starting with the Aston Martin Lagonda EV All-Terrain electric SUV concept. Aston Martin relaunched the Lagonda brand as the world’s first luxury zero emission brand last year and this EUV will bear the bold hallmarks of Vision Concept. The Lagonda All-Terrain concept takes some of its initial design language from the universe of the super yacht. There is a large rear overhang, which has a clean, curved belt line running across the hatchback panel. The new Lagonda will be an ultra-luxurious archetypal to rival the paramount symbol of luxury motoring, the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Aston boss Andy Palmer confirmed this all-new model will arrive in electrified form before any electric version of the Aston Martin DBX SUV.
The Lagonda previews that the new vehicle uses electric motors at each wheel and a battery pack mounted under its floor that is flat. The SUV should follow suit. According to Palmer, the battery-powered Aston RapidE, which is effectively acting as the test bed for the new battery-electric architecture, will offer performance at least equivalent to that of a V-12.
It is speculated that each axle gets its own electric motor for four-wheel-drive. It is expected to boast a claimed range close to 540 km, and it gets a rapid wireless charge of the battery pack in just 15 minutes. The Lagonda SUV is likely to use the same set-up.
Aston Martin says the front two seats can rotate to face the passengers during autonomous operation. But it adds that for the most part a driver will have to take control during journeys. The front half’s shape is very pleasing, with the relatively low roofline and long hood, but the angular back end is really something. It vaguely recalls the custom Lagonda Shooting Brake made in the 1990s. It’s incredibly weird and unusual, but the EV industry is sort of into it. You may remember the Lagonda Vision Concept from last year’s Geneva show. This is kind of the same, but in SUV form.
Design of Aston Martin Lagonda EV
The rakish design language demonstrates the unique freedom afforded by Lagonda’s commitment to zero emission powertrain technologies. The rear lights are hidden, and project downwards to the ‘beam’ illumination out. Aston describes this feature as ‘turning the functional into the fantastic’. Finished in Q by Aston Martin’s exclusive ‘Cosmos Orange’ paintwork and featuring interior and exterior carbon fibre detailing together with orange graphics and matching anodised interior switches, the concept showcases the Vantage’s appeal and racing DNA. The back of the Lagonda concept also hides a slide out shelf, intended as a viewing platform – somewhere for passengers to sit and look at the landscape they’ve just conquered, apparently.
The company’s Material Analysis Steps are involved in the manufacturing of Lagonda’s EV. They include Identification, Prioritisation, Validation. The Identification stage is approached through an analysis of their own stakeholders through standard communication methods as well as an analysis of the wider automotive sector. The next stage, Prioritisation is assessed through an internal survey of the management team and wider employee base. The result is captured in the materiality chart, which classifies each aspect based on its relevance to both the company and stakeholders. Validation process includes reviewing for accuracy with greater emphasis being placed on community engagement.
A glance at the windscreen and side-glass indicate the All-Terrain’s design cues hail from the Vision concept EV. Of course, this being an SUV, it’s a lot roomier inside thanks to its elongated exterior. There’s no mention of how powerful the All-Terrain is, but it’s obviously meant for off-raid purposes as well as city drives. Aston Martin will rely on two electric motors, one at the front and the other at rear.
Interior of Aston Martin Lagonda EV
The interior of the vehicle develops many of the bold design elements first seen in the Vision Concept, but while that possessed a rear-seat biased Limousine atmosphere, the Lagonda All-Terrain Concept has a more even handed ambiance spread between all four seats. On the centre console, you can actually see the key, levitating. The SUV’s glass roof also ensures the taking in of your surroundings more. Overall, the interior features an even-handed ambiance spread between all four seats.
Andy Palmer, Aston Martin Lagonda president and group CEO, said: “Historically Geneva has always been good for us. The buzz surrounding the stand last year when we revealed the Lagonda Vision Concept was truly remarkable, so it’s fantastic to return to the scene of such great success with another world debut. The Lagonda All-Terrain Concept offers explicit clues regarding what will be the first Lagonda model to enter production and further demonstrates how Lagonda’s zero emission powertrain enables us to create spectacular cars that will radically redefine their sectors of the market.”
The SUV will hit roads in the mid 2022s, with prices starting somewhere around ₹1.5 Cr.
