Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato revealed

Villa d'Este 'concept' the latest in a long line of Zagato Aston Martins

There's been no lack of noise from Aston Martin of late. And in the same week we post our drive in the manual V12 Vantage S the firm is also unveiling the fruits of its latest tie-up with Italian coachbuilder Zagato.

Famous for its wild and occasionally eccentric designs, Zagato's relationship with Aston Martin stretches back to the DB4 GT Zagato of 1960, arguably up there with some of the most beautiful cars of the era. Which is saying something. The cars that followed took the same theme, stretching the design fashions of their relevant eras to extremes and resulting in some truly dramatic looking cars.

From the brutish 80s V8 Zagato via DB7 and the most recent V12 Vantage Zagato of 2011, these cars have traditionally been as visually challenging as they are stunning. Not to mention rare, expensive and exclusive. And now we have another, based on the current Vanquish and for unveiling in 'concept' form at the high-rolling Villa d'Este concours show on the banks of Lake Como this weekend.

Concept? As we saw for ourselves the other day, Gaydon currently has a foyer full of Zagato Astons and a full-size clay of this car in the private design studio, suggesting a wallet-loosening charm offensive for VIP customers is already well under way. Assuming it does get built what are these folk in for? By Zagato's standards the design is relatively restrained, combining styling elements from Astons past with those from the pending 'next generation' of cars, led by the DB11. So we've got an exaggerated Aston grille, filled with Z-themed mesh, and lines that flow from that into the sculpted look adopted for the DB11. Influences from the track-only Vulcan are also present, including the prominent side vents and intricate rear light clusters, the ensemble capped with the trademark double bubble roof. And, like the last one, if you're seeing a little Nissan GT-R in that visor-shaped glasshouse you're not alone...

For all the concept talk the press release announcing the car also suggests a tickle of the Vanquish's 578hp 6.0-litre V12 to 600hp together with "enhanced driving dynamics" from undisclosed modifcations beneath. The interior looks suitably special too, 'Z' stitching and quilting to the leather matched with bronze anodised and 'herringbone' carbon fibre trim elements.

Like the original DB4 GT Zagato, the previous V12 Zagato traded heavily on racing credibility to back up the aggression of the looks. This latest one is a more mature and GT-flavoured hit but no less distinctive, more geared to burbling up to flash hotels and night spots than hammering laps around the 'ring. A role it will no doubt excel in. Assuming, cough, it isn't just a concept...