Afzal Kahn (automotive designer)

Afzal Kahn is a British automotive designer.[1] He is the founder of the Kahn group of companies: Kahn Design, the Chelsea Truck Company, and Project Khan.[2][3]

Kahn unveiled the Vengeance, based on the Aston Martin DB9, at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.[4] At the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show, Afzal unveiled the Vengeance Volante, a convertible version of the original Vengeance.[5]

At the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show, Afzal unveiled the Chelsea Truck Company Defender-based 6X6 Civilian Carrier.[6]

Work

Kahn, who has been crowned 'The King of customisation' by the automotive magazine, Autocar, pulled out of architecture to pursue his love for cars.[7]

In 1996, Kahn designed the RS-R alloy wheel. The design, in which the spokes gave the appearance of continuing all the way to the rim was considered a first in the industry. Using capital derived from the initial sold-out production run of 1,000 RS-R wheels, Kahn founded A. Kahn Design in Bradford, West Yorkshire in the late 1990s.[8] Kahn continued in the role of creative director, releasing further wheel designs, and adding exterior styling and vehicle interior design to the company’s product range. He also sought partnerships with other fashion brands to collaborate on the interior designs, such as Harris Tweed.[9]

By 2002, Kahn Design had diversified into production of complete vehicle upgrades,[10] necessitating a move to new, purpose-built premises in 2004, which incorporated body shop and leatherworking facilities. Kahn bought some Land Rovers and once the cars were in his studio he re-styled and re-engineered them. [11]

In 2008, Kahn purchased the "F1" registration plate for £440,000 which set a UK record for the most expensive plate sold at auction.[12] The number plate is now said to be the most valuable number plate in the world, worth in excess of £10 million.[13] He continues to maintain a substantial collection of registration plates. He owns the 4HRH, 1CEO and 4K registrations just some of the 68 registrations on offer.[14]

In April 2018, The Mirror Newspaper reported the number plate was valued in excess of £15 Million. The newspaper featured a number of images of the number plate which he placed on his Bugatti Veyron – which costs a mere £1.5m by comparison. [15]

In 2013, Kahn opened a showroom on the King's Road in Chelsea, London for his Chelsea Truck Company which specialized in customizing Land Rover Defenders and Jeep Wranglers.[16] This was followed by the launch of the second Kahn Design boutique in London was unveiled in October 2017. It is located in Kensington High Street. [17]

In 2014, Kahn moved into production of special edition vehicles, beginning with the release of a series of Land Rover Defender models under the Flying Huntsman brand, including extended bodywork, upgraded engine, suspension and braking systems and luxury interior design. The first two models to be announced, the 4x4 Huntsman 105 Longnose and the 6x6 Huntsman 110 Longnose, were revealed at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.[18]

In 2015, Kahn released official images of a new supercar, based on the Aston Martin DB9, entitled Vengeance. In development for close to six years, the body, made from aluminum, was crafted using traditional hammer-formed methods, with each vehicle built by Kahn’s team of craftsmen and automotive experts. The vehicle was unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.[19] Following the WB12 Vengeance, the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show saw the unveiling of the Vengeance Volante, a convertible version of the WB12 model.[20]

Officially unveiled at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show, the Chelsea Truck Company Jeep Wrangler Black Hawk Edition has been described as a customised creation that combines glamorous finishes with bold body work.[21]

In April 2017, Mr Kahn unveiled the Project Kahn Range Rover Sport SVR Pace Car, a bespoke version of Land Rover’s 542bhp V8 SUV that can be built to custom specification by the design house.[22]

In May 2017, it was announced, The London Taxi Company (LTC) had commissioned Afzal Kahn to create a run of bespoke versions of its TX4 cab, which will go out of production this year.[23]

In May 2018, it was announced, The Chelsea Truck Company created a special edition 4x4 Land Rover Defender to mark Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's big day.[24]

TV appearances

Kahn appeared in an 11 part series featured on the National Geographic Channel's, Supercar Megabuild.[25] Kahn has also been featured on the BBC's The One Show. He was interviewed by the entrepreneur, Theo Paphitis.[26]

Honours

In December 2014, Kahn was presented with a lifetime achievement award at the Car Dealer Magazine awards. The judging panel paid tribute to his achievements, acknowledging that for more than 20 years, he has been setting the trends in automotive fashion.[27]

In June 2015, Kahn was honoured with a design and innovation award at the Birmingham Made Me Awards. The judging panel recognised the significant investment made in both design and manufacturing as part of the WB12 Vengeance project.[28]

References

  1. ↑ "Meeting the owner of Kahn Design". CarDealerMagazine. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  2. ↑ Batchelor, James (5 March 2012). "Welcome to kahn Design". Car Dealer Magazine. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  3. ↑ "Interview: Afzal Kahn". GT Spirit. 26 October 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  4. ↑ "Kahn Design's WB12 Vengeance Set For 2016 Geneva Motor Show". TopGear. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  5. ↑ "Kahn Vengeance Volante DB9 based supercar revealed at Geneva". AutoExpress. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  6. ↑ "Kahn Design's Chelsea Truck Company rolls out Defender-based 6x6 Civilian Carrier". MotorAuthority. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  7. ↑ "Meet the king of car customisation – Afzal Khan". Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  8. ↑ Batchelor, James (5 March 2012). "Welcome to Kahn Design". Car Dealer Magazine. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  9. ↑ "Driven:Kahndefender". Top Gear. 9 January 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  10. ↑ "Moving up a gear in world of luxury cars". Yorkshire Post. 26 April 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  11. ↑ McKeigue, James (25 April 2017). "Afzal Kahn: Plastic coffins set me up for life". Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  12. ↑ "Businessman pays a record £375,000 for F1 number plate". Daily Mail. 25 January 2008. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  13. ↑ "Cherished Numbers". Motoring Exposure. January 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  14. ↑ "Eight of the Most Expensive Number Plates in the World". Kahn Design. January 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  15. ↑ "British car designer selling 'world's most expensive number plate' – here's what it says". Mirror Online. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  16. ↑ "Venture in £25m move to showcase in capital". Yorkshire Post. 13 August 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  17. ↑ "Kahn Design opens 'boutique' showroom in Kensington". CarDealer. 6 October 2017.
  18. ↑ "Land Rover Defender-based Kahn Flying Huntsman". Autocar. 6 January 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  19. ↑ "Kahn Vengeance – DB9-based sports car revealed in Geneva". 1 March 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  20. ↑ "Kahn Vengeance Volante DB9 based supercar revealed at Geneva". AutoExpress. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  21. ↑ "City to coast cruising in a Chelsea Truck Company Black Hawk". AutoCar. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  22. ↑ "Project Kahn Range Rover Sport SVR Pace Car revealed". AutoCar. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  23. ↑ "Bespoke Last of Line Edition Black Cabs to be created by Kahn Design". AutoCar. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  24. ↑ "CROWN JEWEL Is this the most expensive number plate in the UK? Royal registration could be worth £1MILLION". TheSun. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  25. ↑ "Supercar Megabuild". Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  26. ↑ "One Show Afzal Kahn". Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  27. ↑ "Prestigious award for car designer". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  28. ↑ "BMM Innovation and Design Awards 2015 -Boom TV (Matthew Coffey Kahn Design)". Retrieved 25 June 2015.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.