Overview
The Lagonda Taraf revived the storied Lagonda name — one of British motoring’s most distinguished marques, absorbed by Aston Martin in 1947 — for a new generation of ultra-wealthy clientele. Unveiled in 2014 and entering limited production in 2015, the Taraf was designed by Aston Martin’s in-house team under Marek Reichman and built with extraordinary attention to material quality and bespoke finish at the brand’s Gaydon headquarters.
The mechanical foundation was Aston Martin’s VH (Vertical Horizontal) bonded aluminium platform, extended to accommodate four full-sized passengers in genuine comfort. Power came from the 5.9-litre naturally aspirated V-12 engine — a development of the magnificent Aston Martin unit that had powered the DB9, DBS, and Vanquish — producing 540 hp and enabling a 0–100 km/h sprint of just 4.4 seconds. This was a true performance saloon capable of covering ground at remarkable speed while cocooning occupants in hand-stitched leather and hand-polished aluminium.
With a price in excess of $1 million and production limited to just 200 examples, all sold primarily to buyers in the Middle East, China, and Russia, the Lagonda Taraf occupies a unique position in the luxury car market. It is not merely expensive — it is the product of approximately 4,000 hours of skilled hand labour per car, ensuring that every example is a unique expression of its owner’s personal taste within the Lagonda By Aston Martin bespoke programme.
Lagonda Taraf in Pictures

Front Quarter

Side Profile

Rear View

Bespoke Interior

Coachwork Detail

Rear Cabin
Key Specifications
- Engine: 5.9-litre naturally aspirated V-12 with dual overhead cams per bank.
- Power: 540 hp at 6,650 rpm.
- Torque: 620 Nm at 5,500 rpm.
- Transmission: 6-speed Touchtronic III automatic with paddle shifters.
- Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive with limited-slip differential.
- Platform: Extended VH bonded aluminium architecture — the same platform underpinning the DB9 and Vanquish.
- 0–100 km/h: 4.4 seconds.
- Top speed: Electronically limited to 290 km/h.
- Kerb weight: Approximately 2,145 kg.
- Build time: Approximately 4,000 hours of skilled hand labour per vehicle.
- Production: 200 examples; sold primarily in Middle East, China, and Russia.
Variant Comparison
| Variant | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–100 km/h | Top Speed | Best For |
|---|
| Lagonda Taraf (2015) | 5.9L V-12 | 540 hp | 620 Nm | 4.4 sec | 290 km/h (limited) | Ultra-exclusive bespoke saloon for the Middle East |
What Makes It Stand Out
- Lagonda heritage: The Lagonda marque was founded in 1899 and independently produced some of the finest pre-war cars in Britain; its revival by Aston Martin for the Taraf connects modern ultra-luxury buyers to over a century of British craftsmanship.
- ~4,000 hours of hand labour: Each Taraf required an extraordinary amount of skilled craftsmanship, with every leather panel hand-stitched, every aluminium surface hand-polished, and every detail finished to the owner’s individual specification.
- Performance saloon credentials: A 4.4-second 0–100 km/h time and 290 km/h top speed place the Taraf firmly in sports car performance territory despite its full four-door saloon body — a combination few cars in history have achieved.
- Middle East market resonance: The name “Taraf” — meaning “of the best quality” in Arabic — was chosen specifically to resonate with the primary buyer market, and the car’s bespoke programme was tailored to the preferences of buyers in the Gulf states.
- Absolute rarity: With only 200 examples globally, the Taraf is among the rarest production saloons ever made — Rolls-Royce and Bentley produce that many cars in a single week.
- Naturally aspirated V-12: The 5.9-litre N/A V-12 is one of the last great naturally aspirated twelve-cylinder engines in production — its linear power delivery and cathedral-like sound are irreplaceable in an era of turbocharged downsizing.
Maintenance & Service in Azerbaijan
- V-12 service regime: Annual service or every 16,000 km; use only Aston Martin-specified fully synthetic engine oil; the NA V-12 is robust when properly maintained but requires attention to cooling system health.
- Specialist requirement: No dedicated Aston Martin dealer currently operates in Azerbaijan; major mechanical work should be directed to authorised Aston Martin service centres in Turkey, the UAE, or Russia.
- Bespoke interior care: The hand-stitched leather and polished aluminium interior requires specialist cleaning products; avoid any generic leather treatments that may damage the bespoke dye finishes.
- Touchtronic gearbox: Gearbox oil service every 30,000–40,000 km; the Touchtronic III is well-proven but benefits from periodic recalibration if shift quality degrades.
- Suspension: Adaptive suspension systems require diagnostic access with factory-level tools; check damper response across all modes on any pre-purchase inspection.
- Import and registration: The Taraf will require specialist customs handling and agreed valuation for insurance and registration purposes in Azerbaijan; use an experienced luxury vehicle import agent.
Lagonda Taraf vs. Key Competitors
| Model | Core Strength | Main Compromise (Local Context) |
|---|
| Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf | Unique British sports-car heritage meets bespoke saloon; only 200 examples worldwide | Essentially unobtainable on open market; no conventional dealer support |
| Rolls-Royce Ghost | Superior refinement and ride quality; global dealer network and renowned after-sales service | Far more common; less exclusive; lacks the sporting Aston Martin character |
| Bentley Mulsanne | Hand-built British luxury benchmark; V-8 character and exceptional craftsmanship | Much higher production; less rare; heavier and less dynamic to drive |
| Mercedes-Maybach S600 | Comprehensive technology, reliability, and ride comfort; S-Class platform excellence | Mass-produced by comparison; entirely different ownership character |
| Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport | Hypercar performance credentials; comparable exclusivity and price tier | Sports car, not saloon; unsuited to the chauffeur-driven role the Taraf fulfils |
Acquisition Checklist
- Original specification sheet: Every Taraf was built to a unique specification; request the factory order sheet to verify all bespoke options and confirm they match the car’s current condition.
- Interior authenticity: Confirm that no materials have been replaced with non-original substitutes; the bespoke interior is a defining feature of the car’s value.
- V-12 health check: Commission oil analysis, compression test, and leak-down test; listen for any combustion irregularity suggesting injector or valve issues.
- Electrical systems: The Taraf has complex multi-zone climate, audio, and infotainment systems; test all thoroughly on a pre-purchase inspection, including heated and ventilated seat functions.
- Service history: Confirm that the car has been serviced at authorised Aston Martin facilities; an informal service history raises questions about the quality of parts used.
- Export and customs documents: Verify all export documentation from original point of sale; Tarafs were not marketed in all territories and import compliance must be verified.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Taraf” mean?
Taraf is an Arabic word meaning “of the best quality” or “excellence.” Aston Martin chose this name for the car’s primary market of the Middle East — specifically buyers in Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman — where the name carries strong cultural resonance as a statement of absolute quality.
Why was the Lagonda Taraf limited to 200 examples?
The extreme hand-labour content of each Taraf — approximately 4,000 hours per vehicle — naturally limited production capacity. Aston Martin also made a deliberate commercial decision to position the car as an ultra-exclusive commission rather than a volume luxury saloon, ensuring that each buyer received an essentially unique car and that the Lagonda name retained its extraordinary rarity value.
Is the Lagonda Taraf related to the classic Lagonda?
The Lagonda marque was acquired by Aston Martin in 1947 and has been periodically revived for ultra-exclusive vehicles. The original Lagonda cars were renowned pre-war British luxury and racing automobiles. The 1976 Aston Martin Lagonda was an angular William Towns-designed saloon; the Taraf continues this tradition of using the Lagonda name for exceptional four-door Aston Martins aimed at the top of the luxury market.
How does the Taraf compare to a Rolls-Royce Ghost in daily use?
The Rolls-Royce Ghost provides a softer, more traditional luxury experience with superior refinement on poor road surfaces and a more extensive global service network. The Taraf is more sporting in character — faster, more responsive, and more driver-focused. It also offers a significantly more exclusive ownership experience. For a buyer choosing between the two, the key question is whether priority goes to refinement and practicality (Ghost) or to exclusivity and performance character (Taraf).
Should You Acquire a Lagonda Taraf?
The Lagonda Taraf is one of the most singular automotive objects of the 21st century — a $1 million-plus, hand-built, V-12 saloon produced in numbers so small that most enthusiasts will never see one in person. Its combination of Aston Martin performance heritage with extraordinary bespoke craftsmanship is genuinely unique in the automotive world.
For the discerning buyer who values absolute exclusivity, the prestige of the Lagonda name, and the character of a naturally aspirated V-12 in a proper four-door body, the Taraf represents an irreplaceable opportunity. Specialist maintenance planning is essential, and buyers in Azerbaijan should establish a relationship with an authorised Aston Martin service facility in a neighbouring country before acquisition. In the right hands, the Taraf will only appreciate.
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