Aston Martin has unveiled a limited edition car that marks its long-standing collaboration with Zagato design house of Italy. Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Coupe was an offshoot of the Vanquish Zagato Concept shown at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este at Lake Como, Italy in May 2016. Due to incessant customer demand, Aston Martin decided to produce, albeit in a limited manner, just 99 examples of the car at its facility in Gaydon, England.
Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato marks the fifth fruit of the Aston-Martin-Zagato partnership that commenced with the elegantly muscular DB4 GT Zagato racing car of 1960. Nearly three decades later, the partners launched another vehicle, the V8 Vantage Zagato in 1986. It was followed by the 2002 DB7 Vantage Zagato and the V12 Vantage Zagato unveiled in 2011. All of these cars are a fusion between Zagato’s signature design language born from years of experience in creating luxury sports cars, and Aston Martin’s dynamic capabilities and material attributes.
The latest product of this partnership, the Vanquish Zagato does not only reveal Aston Martin’s bespoke luxury but also its superb sporting ability. The core of this beastly beauty is Aston Martin’s uprated 6.0L V12 powertrain that offers 600PS, allowing the Vanquish Zagato to sprint from zero to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. This monstrous performance is complemented by a distinct suspension setup designed to deliver a GT experience exclusive to the Vanquish Zagato model.
It is expected that the Vanquish Zagato will be quite similar to the concept version shown at Villa d’Este. It should feature proportions typical of an Aston Martin as well as new carbon-fiber bodywork featuring less split lines thanks to the use of large one-piece panels. Its rear end has new lights with round tail light reflectors that pay tribute to the classic Zagato rear view, using the ‘bladed’ LED technology featured on the Aston Martin Vulcan. Its wing mirrors should be similar to those found on the Aston Martin One-77 while its sculptural rear end should be comparable to the aerodynamic profile of the DB11, along with retractable spoiler and rear hatch for easier access to the cargo compartment. Meanwhile, the lower body of the Vanquish Zagato features flowing carbon fiber sills for a more pronounced line from front to rear, highlighted by a quad-exhaust seemingly trapped within the resulting shapes.
Since the glasshouse of the new Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato hugs its bodywork like a visor, it is able to significantly augment the limited edition’s already aggressive stance. A reinterpretation of the classic side strake flows from wheel arch to door of the new Vanquish Zagato just like that on the new DB11 and on the CC-100. Moreover, a crease on the rear wheel arch meets with car’s cascading roofline at the rear flanks.
Meanwhile, the roof of the new Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato features Zagato’s so-called ‘double-bubble’ trademark, with the shallow radius plunging into the car’s rear window glass for an unmistakable rear silhouette. This Zagato hallmark rose from the need to accommodate racing helmets but in a way that minimally affects the car’s the aerodynamic profile. As is typical of any Aston Martin vehicle, the new Vanquish Zagato features several singular touches. For instance, Herringbone carbon fiber is combined with shadow and anodized bronze – as well as optional aniline leather — to provide the Vanquish Zagato’s fascia, rotary dials and vents a superbly rich material quality. It also features the Zagato ‘Z’ trademark stitched into the center console and embossed on headrests, as well as the distinct ‘Z’ quilt pattern stitch on the seat and door sections and. Aston Martin will commence deliveries of the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato in the first quarter of 2017.
