Modern coach-built classic.
There’s something very special about a coach-built vehicle. Since the early 1990s, craftsmen and designers would work their magic on pre-manufactured chassis for customers to create a truly unique and beautiful piece of automotive art. The same practice of coach-building isn’t as prominent today, but Afzal Kahn is looking to create another masterpiece with the new Vengeance.
“Launching the Vengeance is the realization of a dream I’ve had since childhood, to design and produce my own car,” said Afzal Kahn. “I’ve worked in the industry my whole career, and I want to leave a legacy which I can be proud of. 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.”
The new Kahn Vengeance is based on the Aston Martin DB9 chassis with the entire mechanical portion from the engine to the airbags of the vehicle left untouched. Kahn wanted to push the limits of design with the Vengeance and create an aggressive and confident style that was inspired by Aston Martin designs from the 1980s and ‘90s. In doing so, he has created a car that he has always wanted to drive.
“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,” said Kahn.
The new Kahn Vengeance promises to be a poised and unique coach-built vehicle that commands attention with its distinct design language. Flowing curves are a prominent feature with each line being worked to perfection. Wide rear fenders and a set of sculpted lines that run from the hood to the rear of the car to showcase this principle. At the front, a re-worked grille that features vertical fins lends to a more powerful face while enlarged air intakes and vents throughout the body assert its performance. The roof halo and window trims are comprised of polished stainless steel and curve to highlight the rounded coupe style.
The classic rear-wheel drive powertrain layout is on display visually through the new staggered wheel setup. New multi-spoke wheels mirror the design of a classic roulette wheel and boast a two-tone finish with the center section color-matched to the body and the outer section featuring a diamond-cut finish. The front pair of wheels feature 16 spokes and a 20-inch diameter with 225 tires while the rear staggers in with an 18-spoke design and 21-inch diameter wearing 335 tires.
The new Kahn Vengeance will be produced in a limited series starting in 2015. Manufacturing will be carried out in the Midlands, paying homage to the rich automotive history of the area. A team of specially-chosen craftsmen will hand-build each vehicle. The finished product will feature an engraved plaque in the trunk with the name of each member of the team that worked on the car.
“The Vengeance underlines Kahn Design’s expertise in design and coach-building. With a team of over 25 designers in house we’re involved in all aspects of product design from automotive to timepieces, interiors, retail space, clothing and accessories,” said Kahn.
“Aston Martin has always been an inspiration, in particular the early Vanquish and the V600 Vantage wide bodies, and I’m grateful for their agreement, and for wishing us success on this project. The Vengeance pays homage to those classic designs while using modern engineering to create something unique and original which reflects my own style.”
Owners of the new Kahn Vengeance will be treated to future previews for other coach-built projects and advance invitations to purchase new vehicles as they are released. Pricing has not been confirmed, but it is expected to represent a good value for a coach-built vehicle that will likely only appreciate in value over time.
Kahn Vengeance Gallery
Source: A Kahn Design
Are you excited about the upcoming Kahn Vengeance?
