First customer V12 Zagato

[BA]

Just back from another great tour of Gaydon, a fantastic experience and this time was able to take little BA and Mrs BA. Highlights of the day were the numerous pre-production Vanquish's being glued together and prepped, a car that has to be seen to do it true justice. Compared to all the photos i have seen, this car is something else in the flesh and is a real 'new' model not just some face lifted DBS/DB9 on steroids.
The Vanquish was good, but...... the first customer V12 Zagato was on the production line, felt very privileged to see it. Only down side, it was in one of the Ferrari reds , sorry can't remember exact name.

As per previous trip we were presented with our 'wings' but with addition of a rare and much sort after item.

The official Aston Martin Childrens Fun Book, full of puzzles and Aston Trivia questions. If you are all good I will post some of the content and see who can compete with a 10 year old....

Finally, well done Aston and Grange Welwyn for sorting a great day and making a customer feel like they have they spent their money in the right place, only question for me is, new Vanquish or Zagato!

[The Pits]

I'd go Vanquish.

I bet the new engine is incredible.

It's going to be savagely fast.

[DB9 Ian P]

Was this on the Vantage production line? Because I thought the Zagato was being built in the same facility as the one-77?

I wonder if that has changed?

[BA]

DB9 Ian P,

it would appear that all the tech is done on the Vantage line then it is ghosted away to the old one-77 line for that special touch.

Edited by BA on Tuesday 4th September 20:55

[DB9 Ian P]

Thanks BA - that actually makes a lot of sense?

[MichaelV8V]

BA said:

DB9 Ian P,

it would appear that all the tech is done on the Vantage line then it is ghosted away to the old one-77 line for that special touch.

Edited by BA on Tuesday 4th September 20:55

That should answer the question about vanquish or zagato. Zagato is a V12 vantage with a different cover, whereas the Vanquish is a new car

[silverspeed]

MichaelV8V said:

BA said:

DB9 Ian P,

it would appear that all the tech is done on the Vantage line then it is ghosted away to the old one-77 line for that special touch.

Edited by BA on Tuesday 4th September 20:55

That should answer the question about vanquish or zagato. Zagato is a V12 vantage with a different cover, whereas the Vanquish is a new car

I think the Zagato shows what a bargain the V12V is in comparison.

[MichaelV8V]

silverspeed said:

I think the Zagato shows what a bargain the V12V is in comparison.

Good point. I'll try that argument later this evening. Not optimistic about the outcome though

[Behr]

Not deliberately being cynical in regards to the OP, but surely the choice should be a matter of Vanquish = £180k or Zagato = £360k? Anyone truly having to 'toss up' the difference would surely be resolved by the cost if otherwise undecided?

If money is of no consequence then the Zagato would be the option to take. it's gert lush.

[BA]

Behr said:

Not deliberately being cynical in regards to the OP, but surely the choice should be a matter of Vanquish = £180k or Zagato = £360k? Anyone truly having to 'toss up' the difference would surely be resolved by the cost if otherwise undecided?

If money is of no consequence then the Zagato would be the option to take. it's gert lush.

I don't think that question is cynical at all. It actually sparked some good soul searching.

The reality is that either way it is a cart load of money on another Aston, do I buy one that is another evolution of the current range (albeit a brilliantly beautiful one) and will become the 'old' Vanquish at some point but is however less precious and will allow much more driving fun without worrying about every mile put on it or car park ding...or...invest in something very limited in production that will be perhaps more desirable down the line but with limitations on how much I will feel comfortable driving it. For me, I am not sure.

in the meantime i have enquired about the possibility of the Zagato....just in case.

[DB9VolanteDriver]

BA said:

I don't think that question is cynical at all. It actually sparked some good soul searching.

The reality is that either way it is a cart load of money on another Aston, do I buy one that is another evolution of the current range (albeit a brilliantly beautiful one) and will become the 'old' Vanquish at some point but is however less precious and will allow much more driving fun without worrying about every mile put on it or car park ding...

Can't ding the Vanq II...it is all CF.

[Guycord]

I actually though long and hard about the V12VZ. I actually quite like it. I also (but much later on) quite like the VanquishII.

My toss-up was:-
a) V12V Zag and sell the V12V
b) V12V and buy a DB4
c) V12V and buy a DB4 and have Bamford Rose change the manifolds, exhausts and lift the cams on the V12V

I chose option c!

[paddy328]

How much bhp/torque has the BR work added to your v12v?

[yeti]

paddy328 said:

How much bhp/torque has the BR work added to your v12v?

It's not done yet!! Was chatting to Mike last night, Guycord's will be done at the same time as a certain cheeky Cockernee types car... Should be a couple of monsters!

Mine went from 446bhp to 522bhp... And they are putting in some higher cams again for a little more air at the top end. 76bhp, cams should push it to 80bhp delta (the change).

And bear in mind the V12V engines are starting way ahead of my rattly old DB9 although some of the upgrades I have had are to bring my engine inline with V12V spec like inlet manifolds.

[Guycord]

paddy328 said:

How much bhp/torque has the BR work added to your v12v?

No idea. Guessing 50-60bhp. Unlike Yeti, my hearing is still pretty good and I dont want a louder exhaust noise on the V12V. Thus, a still slightly restricted V12, with a little help from the Cams. 560-570BHP should be exciting enough - especially when I consider going from a 420BHP 4.7L to a 510BHP 6.0L was a paradigm-shift in it's own right. An additional 50BHP should re-vitalise the grin-factor.

[yeti]

Exhaust noise is easily tuneable... I like mine

It's not just having that extra power, it's the way the whole car feels better to drive at any speed in any gear. And when you really push, it's frankly astonishing!! You're going to love it

[The Pits]

er Guycord a BR V12V is worth a thread of it's own!

Please do post videos asap. Better still get in touch and I'll come and film it. I can also offer back to back comparison with mine.

It's no altruism I'm interested in having similar work done to mine!

[Token Jock]

Guycord said:

I actually though long and hard about the V12VZ. I actually quite like it. I also (but much later on) quite like the VanquishII.
My toss-up was:-
a) V12V Zag and sell the V12V
b) V12V and buy a DB4
c) V12V and buy a DB4 and have Bamford Rose change the manifolds, exhausts and lift the cams on the V12V
I chose option c!

Good man and two very fine cars to gaze over rather than just one

[George H]

I'd take the Zag over the new Vanquish any day. I couldn't live with that front splitter on the Vanquish

Guycord said:

I actually though long and hard about the V12VZ. I actually quite like it. I also (but much later on) quite like the VanquishII.

My toss-up was:-
a) V12V Zag and sell the V12V
b) V12V and buy a DB4
c) V12V and buy a DB4 and have Bamford Rose change the manifolds, exhausts and lift the cams on the V12V

I chose option c!

V12V with painted bonnet vents and Bamford Rose upgrades sounds like perfection

Have you decided on a colour for the DB4 yet?

[johng39]

Guycord said:

I actually though long and hard about the V12VZ. I actually quite like it. I also (but much later on) quite like the VanquishII.

My toss-up was:-
a) V12V Zag and sell the V12V
b) V12V and buy a DB4
c) V12V and buy a DB4 and have Bamford Rose change the manifolds, exhausts and lift the cams on the V12V

I chose option c!

Then I will not be the only one with the BR mods . I was staying mum until it all started in earnest, looks like we will be able to exchange notes Guy . Signed cheeky cockernee