Aston Martin has unveiled the first images of the new V12 Zagato (road car), which is set to start production later this year. The final design has been signed off and its engineering development work has been rapidly progressing. The V12 Zagato is found at the top of the Vantage range. It’s also the newest expression of a thriving creative partnership that has led to a succession of amazing GT cars during the past half-century – of which, the most iconic is the DB4GT Zagato. This masterpiece rank is the most striking, collectable and priceless cars in history. Its 50th anniversary offered the inspiration for the V12 Zagato. The V12 Zagato commemorates a grand Aston Martin of the past but isn’t just a mere copy of the original. This project is expected to be the right moment to bring Aston Martin’s culture of technology and tradition to a different level.
The V12 Zagato offers the novel ideas, materials, processes and technology that were first used on One-77. But at the same, is staying true to the purity and craftsmanship of its famous predecessor. Each Aston Martin is a unique combination of advanced materials, technology and time-honored craftsmanship. The V12 Zagato brings this philosophy to a level that has only been previously seen in its One-77 supercar, which rounds up its build run in 2012. No more than 150 units of the V12 Zagato will be built at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Every V12 Zagato is built using a meticulous process that takes about 2,000 man-hours to complete.
Similar to the One-77, the V12 Zagato is built using a combination of hand crafted aluminum and carbon fibre. Hand-crafted aluminum is used for the bonnet and its signature ‘double-bubble’ roof and doors. Meanwhile, the front and rear fenders, door sills and boot lid surround are built from carbon fibre. The finished body is actually painted in the same dedicated area as the One-77. The V12 Zagato is offered in four unique colors: Scintilla Silver, Alloro Green, Alba Blue and Diavolo Red. Painting one takes 100 hours. It then goes to the sports car production area where the body and the drivetrain are merged. The V12 Zagato is moved to the standalone facility initially produced to accommodate production of the One-77. This model is already available and has a price tag of £330,000 (plus local taxes). The production specification V12 Zagato will be displayed in March 2012 at the Geneva Salon International. Deliveries begin in Autumn 2012.
