Aston Martin Zagato Photo Gallery and Video Review
Aston Martin Zagato
Published by Autobahn Buzz (Aston Martin Zagato)
With the final design signed-off and engineering development work advancing apace, Aston Martin today reveals the first pictures of the brand-new V12 Zagato (road car) set up for production later this year.
The V12 Zagato is at the pinnacle of the Vantage range. It is also the current expression of a successful creative collaboration that has triggered a collection of striking GT cars over the last half-century, the original and most iconic of which being the DB4GT Zagato. Not only does this masterpiece rank among the most desirable, collectable and valuable automobiles of all time, its 50th anniversary provided the inspiration for the V12 Zagato.
Commemorating an excellent Aston Martin Zagato of the past, the V12 Zagato can be no plain pastiche of the original. As an alternative the project was considered as the ideal opportunity to take Aston Martin’s values of technology and tradition to a new and amazing degree. To this end the V12 Zagato integrates the modern ideas, materials, processes and technology pioneered on One-77, while staying true to the pureness and workmanship of its illustrious forefather.
For Aston Martin’s CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez, the V12 Zagato is “a melding of both Aston Martin’s ancestry and its future”. In the V12 Zagato I think we have actually caught the spirit of that auto and blended it with a confident amount of modernity to provide it a personality all of its own.”.
Preliminary ideas for the V12 Zagato were brainstormed in early 2010. Motivated by Zagato’s specific and bold styling signatures Aston Martin’s Director of Design, Marek Reichman, and his Gaydon-based design team delighted in the obstacle of forming the V12 Zagato, developing an auto that presses the boundaries of Aston Martin’s style language, yet commemorates the DB4GT Zagato. Demonstrating Aston Martin’s potential to swiftly deliver ideas to fruition the Zagato program swiftly gained drive, the style team working hand-in-hand with professionals and engineers to complete the build of a set of concept cars in the spring of 2011.
The V12 Zagato made its world debut at the 2011 distinguished Villa d’Este concours. Entered in the Concept Cars and Prototypes class, the V12 Zagato amazed the judges and the group, taking first place versus impressive opposition. In June the Villa d’Este champion – in addition to the second model automobile– made the V12 Zagato’s world racing debut at the grueling 24 hour endurance race held at the Nürburgring. Both automobiles completed the ultimate durability test, thus achieving Aston Martin’s 100 percent finishing record in this notoriously challenging race.
After a positive response from customers, the choice was made in July 2011 to build an exceedingly limited run of V12 Zagatos. Ever since, Aston Martin’s layout team have functioned to improve the sports car’s body shape and aerodynamic efficiency while remaining faithful to the initial creation idea. At the very same time designers based at Gaydon have been placing models via the firm’s extensive advancement program to make sure the V12 Zagato carries out as well as it looks.
Every Aston Martin Zagato is an one-of-a-kind combo of advanced materials, innovation and time-honored workmanship. The V12 Zagato takes this approach to a level formerly seen in the company’s exquisite One-77 supercar, which finishes its build operation this year. Created at Aston Martin’s global head office in Gaydon, Warwickshire, manufacturing of the V12 Zagato will certainly be strictly restricted to just 150 cars.
Producing each V12 Zagato is a painstaking procedure that takes about 2,000 man-hours to complete. Like the One-77, the V12 Zagato is built from a combo of hand crafted aluminum and carbon fiber. The chapeau, trademark ‘double-bubble’ roof and doorways are hand-crafted aluminum lightweight, while the front and rear fenders, doorway sills and boot lid border are made from carbon fiber.
The finished body is then painted in the very same devoted area as the One-77. Four unique colours have been made for the V12 Zagato: Scintilla Silver, Alloro Green, Alba Blue and Diavolo Red. The painting procedure alone takes some 100 hours to finish and is completed with by the marriage of the body and the drivetrain within the sports cars production area. From there the V12 Zagato is transmitted to the standalone facility originally constructed to house One-77 production, where the build is completed.
This calm, laboratory-like area is flawlessly matched to the job of making unique cars such as the V12 Zagato. Fitment of the hand-crafted inside and upholstery is additionally finished in this committed construct area.
Like all Aston Martins when viewed as a whole the V12 Zagato is an artful composition of powerful lines and compelling proportions, however when seen up close it exposes advanced, sculptural surface areas and jewel-like details. The subjected components of carbon fiber on the front splitter, A-pillars, rear lamp pods, diffuser, door mirror cases and rear wing all display the same flawlessly symmetrical weave and smooth resin finish. The vibrant new grille is developed in an one-of-a-kind three-dimensional composite material mesh that echoes Zagato’s well-known ‘Z’ tag.
Seven Bridge of Weir hides– in semi-aniline surface to provide toughness while keeping the organic texture of the natural leather – are utilized to trim the V12 Zagato’s interior. Carbon fiber sill oral plaque buildups with ‘V12 Zagato’ inlaid metal script give an unique finishing touch.
A masterpiece constructed by proficient craftsmen to be steered and enjoyed by the world’s most discriminating auto collectors, the V12 Zagato is a suitable homage to its remarkable ancestor. On-sale now priced at £330,000 (plus local taxes) the new V12 Zagato was showcased at the Geneva Salon International in March 2012. The V12 Zagato went on sale in Autumn 2012.
For Aston Martin’s CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez, the V12 Zagato is “a celebration of both Aston Martin’s heritage and its future”. Motivated by Zagato’s vibrant and specific styling trademarks Aston Martin’s Director of Design, Marek Reichman, and his Gaydon-based design team revelled in the challenge of forming the V12 Zagato, creating an automobile that moves the boundaries of Aston Martin’s style, yet pays homage to the DB4GT Zagato.
A work of art constructed by competent artisans to be steered and enjoyed by the globe’s most critical car hobbyists, the V12 Zagato is a pays appropriate homage to its remarkable forefather.
