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.
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
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!