Friday 20th May 2011

Aston Martin V12 Zagato Revealed

Ville D'Este show debut heralds limited run of road cars

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The new Aston Martin V12 Zagato...

Aston Martin will unveil the stunning new V12 Zagato endurance racer concept on the shores of Lake Como, Italy at the Villa D'Este Concours tomorrow - and has confirmed a batch of road cars is on the way.

The new machine - previewed on PH last week - revives a collaboration which has produced some of the most beautiful and sought-after cars in the world (says Aston's press release - and who are we to disagree?), the partnership takes inspiration from the past, to create a modern descendent of classics such as the DB4GT Zagato, V8 Vantage Zagato and DB7 Zagato based on Aston Martin's ultimate performance interpretation of the Vantage range: the V12 Vantage.

...built by hand in traditional fashion

Work began in 2010, we're told, with initial meetings between Aston Martin and Zagato where sketches incorporating the design DNA of both companies were discussed and a decision was made to proceed with the project.

Director of design, Marek Reichman says: "The Design team at Gaydon spent time refining the concept using a mixture of the latest computer based modelling techniques along with crafting traditional clay models to give a real world idea of proportion, stance and detail."

"The V12 Zagato is an elegant yet brutal design which reflects the great balance between race performance and pure Aston Martin style. The original DB4GT Zagato was a true icon, powerful and graceful; the new design is a true representation of the spirit of DB4GT Zagato. The muscular organic forms define the thoroughbred nature of the car's racing credentials."

You judge the results!

Working alongside the initial design team was a dedicated group of Aston Martin engineers led by Chris Porritt - previously responsible for the engineering of the One-77.

Featuring a new handcrafted aluminium body, the V12 Zagato would not be possible using pre-formed panel techniques - every panel is formed using an English wheel and traditionally crafted body bucks. Each front wing alone comprises seven separate pieces of aluminium, combined and then hand finished to give one flowing form.

Another iconic Zagato design cue is the double bubble roof created in this case from five separate pieces illustrating further the intensity of craftsmanship involved in the construction of the V12 Zagato.

The racing debut of the V12 Zagato will be at the VLN round at the Nürburgring on 28th May with a view to two cars racing at the 24 hour race on 25/26 June. And guess who'll be in the driving seat? Yep, Aston's chief executive Dr. Ulrich Bez.

 

[marcosgt]

Aston-Nissan GTR?

M

[Beefmeister]

Oh sweet holy mother of all things, i've finally done it. I've fallen in love with a car.

That is utterly, incredibly, trouser-tentingly gorgeous.

I doff my cap to Zagato and Aston.


Although i can't help noticing.... why does it have R8 V10 wheels?

Edited by Beefmeister on Friday 20th May 09:41

[Dick Dastardly]

In that colour and with those rear lights it looks more like a Ferrari concept than an AM

[George H]

Love the front, but not a fan of the back end (except for the anabolic wheel arches).

Would have one over a regular V12V though

[Mr Roper]

Beefmeister said:

Oh sweet holy mother of all things, i've finally done it. I've fallen in love with a car.

That is utterly, incredibly, trouser-tentingly gorgeous.

I think there's another thread for this...

[g3org3y]

Very very very nice.

Glad to see it looks different to every other Aston at the mo.

Not a huge fan of the alloys, somewhat inelegant design.

[fathomfive]

Yes please.

[drewbagz]

One clean pair of boxers please!

[edinph]

George H said:

Love the front, but not a fan of the back end (except for the anabolic wheel arches).

Would have one over a regular V12V though

Great! You have the front, I'll have the back! I think it's stunning from the A pillars back, but the front is too messy for my tastes. However, if Aston wanted to give me one, I'd not refuse! ;-))

[666 SVT]

Too much Aston taken out and too much Japanese put back in !

[evosport]

I want one...

[rejn]

The DB4GT Zagato is remembered as one of the most beautiful cars ever made.

This will not be.

[Mr Roper]

Imagine it with no rear window...mmmmm.


Stunning nevertheless.

[poison-rose]

Is it just me or does this look like four cars mashed into one. I'm not complaining I think it's a gorgeous car it's just the front looks like blend of the V8 Vantage and the One-77, it's got a R8 rims and the rear looks very Ferrari 599.
The R8 rims could be thrown though, they should be replaced with something a little more Aston Martin, a little elegancy would go well.

[TomTVR500]

I think the lesson to be learnt here is you cannot improve on sharp, clean, design. The standard car is better looking than this and even that is significantly less good looking than the V8 thanks to its bonnet grilles etc.
Its a good looking thing, you can't deny that. Its just less good looking than before in my oppinion and of course looks are subjective.
I have always liked Astons for the relatively understated very British styling.

[British Beef]

Front end and side profile is "different" and perhaps more aggressive.

Regular AM V8 / V12 Vantage has a sweet rear end, this is plain ugly. Does anyone like that modified rear???

[ZOLLAR]

I sort of like it, would have been nice if it was more smooth rather than edgy (if that makes sense).
Although the comparison between the GTR and this are noticeable.

[Risotto]

Before I opened the thread I guessed at a double bubble roof, massive front grill, single round lights at the back.

Zagato really do seem to have become a one trick pony (although I guess in styling terms, that makes them a perfect partner for Aston).

[mikey k]

I actually like it (other than the oversized bling wheels)
Distinctive with out being over styled

Edited by mikey k on Friday 20th May 10:21

[rivercar1981]

Personally I think its a triumph!!

Stunning from the back, very different from the other Aston models at the moment. A massive plus in my eyes!

Colour suites it too. Im sure the price tag will reflect the exclusivity though!

I hope the interior is changed too, it deserves to have as much flair as the outside.

That massive grill, is something that failed on the DB7Z in my eyes, but here it works.