Though the last car to wear the Lagonda badge was offered as a single model (the angular Lagonda of 1976-1989), a revived brand may offer two distinct models, courtesy of Aston Martin.

Although the Lagonda moniker has been linked to Aston since 1947, the automaker wants the brand's new cars to have their own identities.  From what we hear, Aston Martins are intended to be sports cars fitted with luxurious trim. Lagondas, on the other hand, are to be lavishly-appointed luxury cars that happen to go quite fast.

The exception to that rule, of course, comes with the Aston Martin Rapide, a shapely four-seat model due in the next few years.  In 2011, Lagonda will have its version of that car as well, but will add extra content and a significantly higher price tag.  

The other car will Mercedes Benz S-class fighter with a sticker price of around $100,000. That car will arrive in 2012. Both the smaller car and the Rapide-based Lagonda will share Aston's VH platform, but tuned for a softer ride.

With Aston Martin's Gaydon, England, plant nearing capacity, the Lagonda models might join the Rapide on subcontractor Magna Steyr's assembly line in Graz, Austria.

Source: Automotive News