Once a model has reached the hot-weather testing phase (as the new Lagonda did a few weeks ago), it’s fair to say it would take a rather large spanner to be thrown into the Works to halt production. Clearly, the level of interest from its intended Middle Eastern buyers has proved sufficient to cause no such obstacle, as the Lagonda has been officially green-lighted for production by top brass at Gaydon. These newly released pictures not only show the super-saloon in cooler climes than before, but also provide a first glimpse at the interior which, considering the target market, is just as lavish as you’d expect from a car rumoured to command a price way beyond that of a Rolls-Royce Phantom.

Update: Aston Martin is said to be "so overwhelmed by the wave of goodwill towards the Lagonda" that its status has been changed from "Middle East only" to "Middle East only, at the moment".

Photos: Aston Martin