2017 Aston Martin Lagonda in Amelia Island, Florida

Since its founding in 1906, Lagonda has stood as a pillar of British craftsmanship and poise. After its acquisition by Aston Martin in 1947, however, the Lagonda name has come to denote the firm's most exclusive and meticulously crafted models on offer.

Four decades after the original Aston Martin Lagonda redefined presence and exclusivity for the sedan, Aston revealed its successor that would herald in a new era for Lagonda. Debuting in Dubai in 2014, the Lagonda Taraf was conceived as Aston Martin's ultimate fusion of speed and opulence. On debut, the Lagonda Taraf's $1 million price confirmed its place at the very summit of the luxury sedan market.

The Taraf was designed by Marek Reichman, who had penned such brilliant contemporary designs as the One-77, Rapide, DBS, and Vulcan, and was developed by the bespoke Q by Aston Martin division. Its name, which translates from Arabic to "ultimate luxury," leaves no ambiguity. Though sharing the same Vertical/Horizontal (VH) platform as the Rapide and DBS, the Taraf's wheelbase has been extended and the roof has been subtly elevated to unlock more legroom and headroom for its passengers. Its cabin is cocooned in leather that extends to the headliner and even to the most minute details such as the seatbelt surrounds, with hand-embroidered leather contrast stitching throughout. The Taraf also comes standard with a trove of top-shelf luxury appointments: a 1,000-watt Bang & Olufsen BeoSound system with front speakers that retract into the depths of the dash when not in use, rear-mounted iPad Minis for backseat entertainment, and temperature-controlled bottle storage hidden between the rear seats that can accommodate the finest bottles-be they red and full or white and sparkling.

Aston's proven 6.0-liter V12 serves a 540 horsepower meal to the Taraf's ZF Touchtronic III eight-speed automatic transmission, coupled with a finely tuned suspension that incorporates anti-roll bars, adaptive dampers, and double wishbones that offer serene composure at speed. Aston Martin produced only 120 Lagonda Tarafs, which were strictly intended for the Middle East and a select few European countries.

This 2017 Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf is one of only a handful of examples that have entered the U.S. under the Show or Display exemption. The included build sheet indicates that this example is finished in Carbon Black over Obsidian Black and Ivory leather and has been further optioned with 20-inch 10-spoke Gloss Black Diamond Turned wheels, Moon Shadow Alcantara headliner, and Lagonda wings embroidered in the seats. Its clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report shows that the car arrived in the U.S. in January 2018, where it resided in Aston Martin Beverly Hills' showroom among some of the finest and most exclusive luxury cars in Los Angeles. The premier Los Angeles Aston Martin dealer finally parted ways with this rare car in October 2023 when it was purchased by its sole private owner.

This exceptionally rare Aston now shows less than 500 miles at cataloging. It is furnished with its delivery items including iPad Minis with frame assemblies that attach to the front seatbacks, Bang & Olufsen headphones, owner's manual, Aston Martin-branded first aid kit, tire inflator, and Lagonda-badged umbrella.

The Lagonda Taraf remains one of the most exclusive and luxurious modern Astons; a handcrafted expression of quiet power and comfort, and a car almost never seen on American roads. Subtle in its appearance yet unmistakable to those who recognize it, this Aston invites its next caretaker into a level of rarefied luxury matched by few other sedans.