What's all this about?
Afzal Khan has been designing 'the car he has always wanted to drive'. For most of us, the exercise would be nothing more than a doodle on the back of an envelope, but Khan has the resources to make his vision a reality. The result is the Khan Vengeance, a wide-body, two-door GT.
It looks a bit like an Aston, doesn't it?
True, there's a lot of Aston Martin in the looks; the chassis and all the mechanical parts come from the DB9 while the early Vanquish and V600 Vantage inspired the design. It intentionally looks a little old-fashioned, with the shape favouring flowing curves over angular surfaces. Khan has given the Vengeance a pair of wide rear wheel arches to cover the 335-section tyres on 21-inch alloys, with 225 tyres on 20-inch rims at the front. The design of the wheels is apparently inspired by the roulette wheel with a body-colour centre section and diamond cut outer portion.
Other distinctive features include the front grille made up of vertical bars, circular tail lamps and the stainless steel 'halo' that surrounds the roof and rear window.
Are there any issues involving Aston, then?
No. Kahn has tried to distance itself from other manufacturers, like David Brown and Fisker (which have both recently punted out Aston-themed, coachbuilt machines), who don't have the blessing of Gaydon. Kahn assures us that there are "no copyright issues with the Vengeance since Aston Martin has confirmed it has entered into a supply deal with us".
When will it be ready?
Production will take place in the Midlands later this year with each car assembled by hand by a 'team of craftsmen and automotive experts'. Each car will carry a plaque in the boot, engraved with the names of every member of the British team that worked on the car.
And who will buy it?
Kahn is eying up the 'discerning collectors and investors', Vengeance owners will get exclusive previews of future coachbuilt projects and advance invitations to purchase new vehicles. Pricing is still to be confirmed but promises to represent good value according to Kahn; whatever that means in the context of a limited production, hand-built car.
Matt Robinson - 12 May 2015
