Automotive

Kahn Design unleashes Aston Martin Vengeance and Land Rover Defender fury

Kahn Design unleashes Aston Martin Vengeance and Land Rover Defender fury
The 105 Defender Pick Up starts just under £59,000
The 105 Defender Pick Up starts just under £59,000
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Aston Martin Vengeance sketch
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Aston Martin Vengeance sketch
Kahn Design gives the Aston Martin DB9 a new look
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Kahn Design gives the Aston Martin DB9 a new look
The wide rear fenders give the Aston Martin added volume
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The wide rear fenders give the Aston Martin added volume
Kahn Design Flying Huntsman 105 Defender Pick Up
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Kahn Design Flying Huntsman 105 Defender Pick Up
Inside the Kahn 105 Defender Pick Up
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Inside the Kahn 105 Defender Pick Up
Kahn Design Flying Huntsman 105 Defender Pick Up
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Kahn Design Flying Huntsman 105 Defender Pick Up
Kahn's Defender package includes GTB Sports Seats
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Kahn's Defender package includes GTB Sports Seats
Inside the 105 Defender Pick Up
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Inside the 105 Defender Pick Up
The 105 Defender Pick Up gets added length up front and in the wheelbase
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The 105 Defender Pick Up gets added length up front and in the wheelbase
Exterior modifications include a new front end and fenders
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Exterior modifications include a new front end and fenders
The 105 Defender Pick Up starts just under £59,000
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The 105 Defender Pick Up starts just under £59,000
The Vengeance is mechanically unaltered from the DB9
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The Vengeance is mechanically unaltered from the DB9
The Aston Martin Vengeance features polished stainless steel roof trim
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The Aston Martin Vengeance features polished stainless steel roof trim
Kahn Design Aston Martin Vengeance
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Kahn Design Aston Martin Vengeance
Kahn Design Aston Martin Vengeance
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Kahn Design Aston Martin Vengeance
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It's been a big year for Kahn Design. The British tuning shop has been making headlines regularly, thanks to projects like the Land Rover Defender 6x6. Its latest two designs aren't quite as extreme as that Geneva-debuted six-wheeler, but they're quite interesting in their own right. The Aston Martin Vengeance and Flying Huntsman 105 Defender Pick Up exist at opposite ends of the automotive spectrum, but they both share a level of visual "wow."

Kahn revealed the 105 Defender Pick Up Prototype at the Great British Land Rover Show last month. The latest member of its Flying Huntsman family, this new prototype is based on a Defender 90 pickup, gaining an extra 15 inches (381 mm) of wheelbase length to meet its "105" designation. A set of burly fenders adds 6 in (150 mm) of width.

In addition to its increased dimensions, Kahn's Defender wears a new body kit, starting with a new front bumper, X-Lander grille and shadow chrome headlamps. A set of matte black 18-in Defend 1945 Retro wheels roll below extended wheel arches, and a hood release cable and side steps add simple convenience.

Kahn doesn't mention any tuning for the Defender 90's 2.2-liter diesel four, but it has added a six-speed automatic transmission. It has also overhauled the brakes and suspension and redesigned the interior with leather trim, refashioned instruments, a Churchill clock, a three-spoke billet steering wheel and vented machined aluminum foot pedals.

Kahn will offer the 105 Defender Pick Up package with a variety of color, trim and finish options, starting at £58,875 (approx. US$90,350).

Moving away from rugged 4x4 utility vehicles, Kahn has also recently teased an upcoming Aston Martin DB9 package it calls "Vengeance." The car earns that moniker by flashing its teeth angrily in a large, aggressive grille, a few extra big teeth over the prowling saber-toothed cat Kahn took inspiration from.

Kahn Design Aston Martin Vengeance
Kahn Design Aston Martin Vengeance

Moving backward, Kahn has removed any hint of angularity and transformed the DB9 with a series of flowing curves and surface volumes, best exemplified by the bulging rear fenders. The car rides on roulette-inspired two-tone wheels, 20 in/16 spoke up front and 21 in/18 spoke out back.

"Launching the Vengeance is the realization of a dream I’ve had since childhood, to design and produce my own car," Kahn CEO Afzal Kahn explains. "The design has gone through several iterations over the years and I’ve taken my time in selecting the right partners to prototype and manufacture the car, ensuring it represents the pinnacle of quality and perfection. I’ve kept every aspect of the underlying car from the crash structures to airbags – mechanically it’s unaltered – why change perfection? This is coachbuilding in its traditional sense – taking a tried and tested product and working solely on the aesthetic."

Kahn plans to begin hand-building a limited number of Vengeance models later this year, but has not yet announced pricing.

Source: Kahn Design

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2 comments
2 comments
EndlessSummers
have they actually made the chassis wider, or is it just the add on fenders? You know, so it has more interior room for fat azz Americans? Good call on the auto trans though. On the flip side, I didn't think there was such a thing as an Ugly Aston Martin, but I see I'm wrong on that now.
Island Architect
Gawd! This is AWFUL!
It should not be forgotten that Jeep is where this all began and that Ralph Gilles has taken Jeep to unimaginable heights of perfection.
This looks like trash by comparison with the new Wrangler.
bill
In WWII a 2 x 4 was never called a 6 x 6!