Wednesday 7th March 2012

Geneva 2012: Aston Martin Vantage and Zagato

Big tweaks for the V8 Vantage and a production debut for the V12 Zagato limited edition

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Aston Martin's Geneva show stand centres around the revised Vantage range, topped-off by the show debut of the production version of the V12-powered Vantage Zagato, of which 150 units will be made and sold at a whisker below £400,000 once you add in all the various taxes.

By comparison the 'base' V8 Vantage seems a positive bargain at £84,995.

Treated to the biggest update since 2008, the 'basic' Vantage gets a raft of tweaks inspired by its more focused 'S' cousin.

The 4.7-litre 426hp V8 and six-speed manual are still there, but the six-speed Sportshift automated manual is now replaced by the seven-speed Sportshift II from the Vantage S. The Vantage's chassis also gets quicker steering (15:1 compared to 17:1), bigger brakes (380mm two-piece ventilated cast-iron front discs and six piston calipers as well as hill-start assist) and wider tyres.

There are visual tweaks, too, including a lower bumper - complete with an aerodynamic splitter - that houses a larger air intake. At the rear there's a new (working) diffuser and what Aston calls 'race-derived' side sills.

[MrTappets]

Why is it cars always get bodykits over their lifespan, even designs famous for being graceful and unadorned? And I can't help feeling that, lovely though they are, the Zagato and One-77 are each worth about half what they're priced at.

[MrTappets]

wildman0609 said:

the zagato is much more than just a body kit, its a completely rebodied car. the one-77 is an incredible bit of engineering, really is an amazing car. aston will sell out of all of these special cars which shows us exactly what they're worth

By bodykit I was referring to the V8 Vantage, and while I appreciate market forces and all I still don't see why the Zagato is almost twice the price of an Aventador, the One-77 almost twice the price of a Huayra.