First look at the new Aston Lagonda

At the tail end of July, Aston Martin announced with little fanfare how it was planning a big, four-door super saloon. It would be called ‘Lagonda', reprising a classic name from the Aston archives.

Production on the big four-door is moving ahead at pace, because today we can see the very first pictures of the Lagonda as it undergoes hot weather testing in Oman.

Not just any hot weather testing, but the most extensive ever carried out by AM. Engineers will cover up to 14,000 miles over four weeks in temperatures ranging from between 30-50C.

They'll test air-con - essential for the Lagonda's exclusive Middle East target market - as well as engine hot start tests and component durability and performance.

Not only that, the Lagonda will be positioned in direct sunlight for several hours to test the cabin trim (the surface of which reaches as much as 80C). Melty McMeltyson.

Elsewhere, the Lagonda will sit on Aston's existing ‘VH' chassis architecture; the same aluminium and carbon chassis set that underpins all modern Astons.

There'll also be carbon fibre body panels hand built in the style of the William Towns designed Lagonda from 1976, built in Gaydon in a building previously used for crafting the gorgeous One-77.

Though Aston is being coy with the engine details, we suspect it'll use the uprated, 565bhp 6.0-litre V12 driving through the new eight-speeder taken from the Rapide S, powering the rear wheels. So, expect a 0-60mph time of under four seconds and top speed in excess of 200mph.

No word on price, and it'll only be offered for sale ‘by invitation' to buyers in the Middle East. But who knows, if you lot shout loud enough, Aston could be tempted into selling a few over this way. Check out the pics and let us know what you think. A fine start for the Aston Martin's new incoming CEO, ex-Nissan exec Andy Palmer...

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