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Aston Martin V12 Zagato
In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Aston Martin’s stunningly beautiful DB4GT Zagato, the iconic British sports car maker is producing a new V12 Zagato.
By Annabelle Frankl
SPECS
Engine 6.0-liter V12
Max Power 510 hp
Max Torque 420 lb-ft
Drivetrain RWD, rear mid-mounted, six-speed automated manual gearbox with auto shift manual/select shift manual (ASM/SSM) electric hydraulic control system
Body Hand-crafted aluminum and carbon fiber body
Cost $525,000
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Unveiled at the Villa D’Este Concours and recently shown for the first time on U.S. shores during the Monterrey Peninsula’s Concours weekend, the coupe will begin production in 2012.
Aston Martin describes the car as “ . . . an elegant yet brutal design which reflects the great balance between race performance and pure Aston Martin style.” Exhibiting a more aggressive, ready-to-pounce, and generally ‘in your face’ look than any previous model, the two-door, two-seater is based on the V12 Vantage and boasts a mid-mounted 6.0 liter motor producing 510 hp and 420 ft-lb of torque. Match that to a carbon fiber and handcrafted aluminum (read pricey and labor-intensive) body and the power to weight ratio is likely to make grinning schoolboys – and girls! – out of anyone lucky enough to get behind the wheel.
The race-spec versions already earned their stripes with a 5th/6th finish at the ADAC Nürburgring 24 Hours back in June, but expect the road-going version to have a few more luxury appointments in keeping with Aston Martin’s bespoke design heritage.
Production of a strictly limited number – a mere 150 - will allow for import of the road car in the U.S. under a “Show and Display” registration, limiting annual mileage to 2,500 miles. Given the car’s $525,000 price tag (the Ferrari 599 GTO prices out at $490,000), that’s likely more than enough to cover the short drive to “Cars and Coffee” a couple times a month to show the latest and greatest out of Gaydon HQ, and then quickly return it to safety in a well-locked and, may we suggest, heavily-alarmed (armed?) garage.
CEO Ulrich Bez says, “The V12 Zagato is the perfect inspiration for the next 50 years of Aston Martin.” We’re excited to see where that inspiration leads with regard to the designs of their more modestly priced models. With regard to the few Zagatos that will come to market, AM has confirmed that orders will be taken on a “strictly first-come first-served basis.” No word yet on whether Mr. J. Bond gets to jump to the head of the queue.
Virage V12
If you seek more instant gratification – in a slightly less exclusive yet more affordable package - then consider the new Virage V12 2+2 Coupe and Convertible (Volante).
Powered by the same 6.0L V12, it generates 490 HP, 420 ft-lb of torque (85% of it at 1,500 rpm), achieves 0-100 in 4.6 seconds, and tops out at 186 mph. Slotting in between the DB9 and the DBS in both price and performance, this refined GT sports an aggressive front end inspired by the ultra-exclusive One-77 and is about to give the likes of the Bentley GT and Maserati GranTurismo a run for their money.
Coupe base price begins at $207,895 while the retractable soft-top Volante starts at $222,895.