Aston Martin has confirmed a limited production run of its Vanquish Zagato Coupe.
The latest creation from its long-standing partnership with the prestigious Italian design-house Zagato was initially unveiled as a concept at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este at Lake Como, Italy in May. Aston Martin says thanks to ‘unprecedented customer interest’ a strictly limited production run of 99 cars will be built to order at Aston Martin's production facility in Gaydon, England.
The Vanquish Zagato is the fifth car to emerge from a collaboration that stretches back over five decades, pairing Aston Martin's dynamic qualities with Zagato's signature design language. As well the coupe’s sporting ability, the Vanquish Zagato 'showcases the very best of Aston Martin’s bespoke luxury'.
The Vanquish Zagato is powered by a 6.0L V12 has been uprated to increase its output to 600PS, capable of delivering a projected 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds. The added performance is matched by a revised suspension setup which will create a ‘unique GT driving experience specific to the Vanquish Zagato model’.
The design of the production model will be closely related to the concept exhibited at Villa d'Este. With proportions that remain quintessentially Aston Martin, the new bodywork is entirely shaped from carbon-fibre, with the split lines on the body significantly reduced by the use of large one-piece panels.
Other design details include new lights with round tail light reflectors that evoke the classic Zagato rear view, using the same 'bladed' LED technology as the Aston Martin Vulcan, while the wing mirrors are closely related to the units developed for the One-77. The rear end has a close relationship to DB11's aerodynamic profile, complete with retractable spoiler and rear hatch for easy access to the luggage compartment. Carbon fibre sills run around the lower body to create a pronounced line from front to rear - where a quad-exhaust can be found.
Aston Martin says the car’s glasshouse wraps around the bodywork like a visor, ‘enhancing its aggressive stance’. A new evolution of the classic side strake runs from wheel arch to door as it does on the new DB11 is a detail originally showcased on the celebratory CC-100. A sharp crease on the rear wheel arch transforms into the rear flanks, where it meets the cascading roofline.
The roof features the iconic 'double-bubble', dipping into the rear window glass to give the car its unique rear silhouette. A Zagato trademark since the early 1950s, it originally arose from the need to accommodate racing helmets with a minimum impact on the aerodynamic profile.
Inside, Herringbone carbon fibre is paired with shadow and anodized bronze and optional aniline leather to give the facia, vents and rotary dials a rich material quality. A unique ‘Z’ quilt pattern stitch used on the seat and door sections is joined by the trademark Zagato ‘Z’ embossed on headrests and stitched into the centre console.
The collaboration with Zagato began with the beautifully muscular DB4 GT Zagato racing car of 1960 – now valued at over £10 million - and includes the V8 Vantage Zagato launched in 1986, the 2002 DB7 Vantage Zagato and the V12 Vantage Zagato revealed in 2011.
First customer deliveries will begin in the first quarter of 2017.