Rumormill: Aston Martin could build hybrid Lagonda, all-electric Cygnet

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, SUV, Aston Martin, Rumormill, Electric, Luxury

Aston Martin Lagonda Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Are hybrid drivetrains befitting of a premium luxury and performance brand? Well, that depends on who you ask. According to such diverse automakers as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Rolls-Royce and even Ferrari and Lamborghini, the answer is 'yes'. Aston Martin CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez, though, reportedly believes otherwise. "The current hybrid technologies are not suited to the character of Aston Martin sports cars," explains Bez.

We're not so sure we agree, especially since Aston's long-planned Lagonda revival - which may or may not come wrapped in an ungainly SUV package - is rumored to be equipped with a hybrid powertrain. After all, the torque-rich nature of electric motors certainly wouldn't be a bad thing for a luxury tourer.

A few branches up on the green tree, Aston Martin's tiny Toyota iQ-based Cygnet minicar could quite possibly get a fully electric drivetrain, which would seem to make sense given that car's stated mission as an urban runabout for those times when a V12 Vanquish could be considered overkill. Beautiful, sonorous, splendid overkill...

Gallery: Aston Martin Lagonda Concept

[Source: Autotelegraaf.nl via Motor Authority]

Rumormill: Aston Martin could build hybrid Lagonda, all-electric Cygnet originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Aston Martin puts the Lagonda on hold

Noah Joseph — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:25:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin, Luxury

Aston Martin Lagonda Concept - Click above for high-res gallery

Aston Martin has grown accustomed to success. Since the DB7, its sports cars have only gotten better, while on the track the British automaker continues to rack up trophies. The Lagonda SUV concept which the company unveiled this past March in Geneva, however, was another story. The awkwardly-shaped crossover got a cold reception at its unveiling, and Aston pulled it off the show stand before the public even got there. Now reports indicate that the entire project has been put on hold.

Chief executive Ulrich Bez reportedly proclaims that the decision to axe the Lagonda venture was purely financial. And in this economic climate, that's a reasonable claim. But other sources suggest that the automotive media's reaction to the concept dictated its demise. Will Aston give it another shot? Aston Martin Lagonda chairman David Richards reportedly wants to get a new concept on the stands before the end of the year. We wouldn't be surprised if he gets his way.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Aston Martin Lagonda Concept

[Source: Inside Line]

REPORT: Aston Martin puts the Lagonda on hold originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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