Aston Martin Lagonda Concept

This is the Aston Martin Lagonda Concept, a luxury 4x4 with a V12 engine that both signals a return for the legendary Lagonda brand and the start of a surprise partnership between Aston Martin and Mercedes: it's based on the Mercedes GL SUV.

It's just a styling concept at the moment, so don't expect to see one in an Aston showroom any time soon, but the Gaydon maker is using Geneva to prove that Lagonda will indeed see the light of day again - most likely by 2012.

The five-seat SUV has a huge, gaping 'get out my way' grille, and details like the lights and side slashes are inspired by current Aston Martins. It also sits on 22-inch alloys. In truth, the Lagonda isn't built with the UK in mind (it would be taxed to the hilt and massively expensive to run), but rather for emerging markets like Russia and China, where car enthusiasts have the money and enthusiasm to buy very expensive models like this. It will be sold here, though.

Aston believes the Lagonda will be a success in over 100 countries across the world; the brand allows the maker to build big, heavy luxury cars not suitable for an Aston Martin badge. As Aston chief Ulrich Bez puts it: "An Aston Martin is an authentic, pure sports car, but Lagonda is something else, a new brand that will reach into new markets."

Mark Nichol