Monday 22nd August 2016

Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Volante

What better car for a sun-soaked California than a drop-top Aston V12?

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File the Vanquish Zagato Volante under "should have seen this one coming". Think about it: the Vanquish Zagato sold out almost immediately, there's a history of Aston and Zagato producing roadsters and Monterey is most probably a very receptive audience to V12 convertibles. All sort of makes sense.

Sun's out, V12's out

Naturally the Volante differs most from the coupe at the back; the double bubble roof has become a twin cowled rear deck, leading into the boot. The roof itself is said to be a "bespoke folding hood", derived from the system used in the regular Vanquish Volante. The rest of the back of the car remains unchanged, with the same lights (using Vulcan technology) and exhaust arrangement. Aston's Marek Reichman said of the Volante look: "We've endeavoured to create an elegant, flowing shape that really works to emphasise the car's sculpted rear haunches." Have they succeeded?

Elsewhere the Zagato is as you were for the coupe, with the 600hp V12, carbon sills and 'Z' logos around the interior. Owing to the additional weight of the Volante, the projected 0-62mph time has risen from 3.5 seconds for the coupe to 3.7 now.

Aston Martin will build 99 Zagato Volantes, an identical number to the coupe. There's no word yet on price or availability but, given how swiftly the hardtops disappeared, it would be very surprising to find any remaining build slots now. If you haven't been lucky enough, there are such topless Zagato delights in the PH classifieds as a 1991 V8 and a DB AR1 also. But if you are one of the lucky 99, deliveries begin next year.

[robemcdonald]

Looks quite nice. I suppose they are all sold by now....

[lestiq]

That is gob smackingly pretty. I think maybe barring the V8 Zagato, as coachbuilders, they've not made a single bad looking car. The V12 Zagato has been my dream car ever since I sat in one at AM.

edit - the Ferrari 575 GTZ is hideous

[je777]

Beautiful cars don't have to look like they've had random Halfords parts stuck on the front, backs and sides.

All these 'specials' seem to be following the same formula - slap on some bits that don't blend with the rest of the car at all.

I suspect it's because they're no longer sold to car lovers at all. It's morons with money and speculators. Ergo, it doesn't matter what it looks like (never mind drives like), as long as it's rare and different from the regular version.

[torchy6]

That is beautiful!

[Addymk2]

Beautiful car but my God those wheels look gash.

[peteA]

Lovely

Has the soft top got a double bubble...

[Verbal_v2]

One day...

Wheels don't do it justice though imo.

[Blayney]

Would it be fair to say the coachbuilders still design the best looking cars. Stuff designed in house never looks this good.

Same goes for the recent Ferrari's by Touring.

F12



Berlinetta Lusso



F12



Berlinetta Lusso




I think I know what I prefer!

More of Zagato's recent work that is stunning...

[pfsv427sc01]

Strongly dislike the wheels and, in the side shot, looks like it is having a black st !!

Other than that, yes please

[jamespink]

Addymk2 said:

Beautiful car but my God those wheels look gash.

Aston seem to struggle with wheel design. Utterly beautiful cars with slightly (to my eyes) less than coehesive wheels.

[Digger]

I do enjoy the occasional ironic typo. Sorry!

[Leroy902]

Looks like a normal Aston, with a Ferrari rear stuck on.

[BVB]

Very nice. Aston should leave it to the Italians to design all their cars.

[Smokey32]

Addymk2 said:

Beautiful car but my God those wheels look gash.

Exactly what i was thinking. They look like the 50quid chrome looking crap u see on 200quid fiesta's.