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To mark the 50th anniversary of a collaboration with Italian design house Zagato, Aston Martin unveiled this gorgeous new supercar based on the V12 Vantage. Production plans have not been announced, but I'm sure the orders are already flowing in. More pics and the official press release after the jump! And be sure to check out the video of it starting and revving!
• In 50th anniversary year of the iconic DB4GT Zagato, Aston Martin introduces a modern interpretation of the famous Aston Martin and Zagato collaboration
• New V12 Zagato concept to be premiered at the Villa D'Este Concours on 21st May to gauge customer interest
• The V12 Zagato will appear in the form of an endurance race car to compete at the Nürburgring 24 hour race on 25/26 June; following tradition of recent new Aston Martins
Gaydon / Lake Como, 20 May 2011. Aston Martin will unveil the stunning new V12 Zagato endurance racer concept on the shores of Lake Como, Italy at the Villa D'Este Concours tomorrow.
Reviving a collaboration which has produced some of the most beautiful and sought-after cars in the world, the partnership takes inspiration from the past, to create a modern descendent of classics such as the DB4GT Zagato, V8 Vantage Zagato and DB7 Zagato based on Aston Martin's ultimate performance interpretation of the Vantage range: the V12 Vantage.
Dr Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin said: "The Zagato design language is a perfect complement to our design and engineering expertise. After 50 years of the two companies being associated with each other the partnership has produced some of the world's most iconic cars."
"Of course, fifty years ago Italian design houses were widely seen as leading the way with new designs but now and supported by our independency, Aston Martin has its own in-house design ability so this new venture with Zagato is more collaborative than it perhaps would have been in the past."
"The task for us has been to create a concept that is a natural successor to those iconic cars that have gone before. Matching the technology of the age with the traditional skills vital to deliver such a bespoke and exclusive sports car will lead to a strictly limited run of road going V12 Zagatos."
Work began in 2010 with initial meetings between Aston Martin and Zagato where sketches incorporating the design DNA of both companies were discussed and a decision was made to proceed with the project.
Director of Design, Marek Reichman added: "The Design team at Gaydon spent time refining the concept using a mixture of the latest computer based modelling techniques along with crafting traditional clay models to give a real world idea of proportion, stance and detail"
"The V12 Zagato is an elegant yet brutal design which reflects the great balance between race performance and pure Aston Martin style. The original DB4GT Zagato was a true icon, powerful and graceful; the new design is a true representation of the spirit of DB4GT Zagato. The muscular organic forms define the thoroughbred nature of the car's racing credentials."
Working alongside the initial design team was a dedicated group of Aston Martin engineers led by Chris Porritt - previously responsible for the engineering of the One-77. With the skills and knowledge gained from such specialised projects this team has worked to bring the unique design of the V12 Zagato to reality in a very short period of time.
Featuring a new handcrafted aluminium body, the V12 Zagato delivers a beautiful and muscular design not possible using pre-formed panel techniques. Using the influences and skill of nearly 100 years of heritage in the craft, every aluminium panel was formed using an English wheel and traditionally crafted body bucks. Each front wing alone comprises seven separate pieces of aluminium, combined and then hand finished to give one flowing form. Another iconic Zagato design cue is the double bubble roof created in this case from five separate pieces illustrating further the intensity of craftsmanship involved in the construction of the V12 Zagato.
Designed for the focused driver, the V12 Zagato has been honed with pure driving enjoyment in mind. The V12 Zagato combines Aston Martin's most dynamic bonded aluminium platform with the power of the 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque.
The V12 Vantage which forms the basis of the V12 Zagato has been proven on the race track as early as 2009 with a class win in its debut race at the 24 hour race at Nürburgring whilst being close to production standard with only essential safety modifications, reduced weight and re-tuned suspension but no additional aerodynamic enhancements. In 2011 the car has gone on to form the basis of the new Aston Martin GT3 race car unveiled last month.
The first DB4GT Zagato shown to the public in late 1960 spent much of its life as a racing car after launch. Later perhaps the two most famous DB4GT Zagatos, registered '1 VEV' and '2 VEV' were raced with success by such names as Jim Clark and Roy Salvadori. The fascinating story of these cars and the nature of high performance and low weight which drove the Zagato projects gave the inspiration for the first two V12 Zagatos to be created as endurance race cars.
The racing debut of the V12 Zagato will be at the four hour VLN race at Nürburgring on 28th May with a view to two cars racing at the 24 hour race on 25/26 June. The cars will be driven by a team with great experience of Aston Martin race cars, led for the sixth year by Chief Executive Dr. Ulrich Bez.
Both cars follow Aston Martin's philosophy of racing in close-to-production form but with full FIA safety compliance. V12 Vantage Zagato specification includes a bonded aluminium platform modified with a bespoke steel roll cage, front and rear double wishbone suspension with fully adjustable Multimatic DSSV Dampers and a 120ltr endurance racing fuel tank.
The Aston Martin V12 Zagato will be shown for the first time at the Villa D'Este Concours on Saturday 21st May 2011
- Ends –
Aston Martin V12 Zagato Endurance Race Car Specification
Body:
Two door, two seat coupe body
Bonded aluminium structure
Bespoke steel roll cage.
Hand crafted Aluminium body
Engine:
All alloy quad overhead cam 48 valve 5935cc V12
Compression ratio 10.9:1
Front mid-mounted engine, rear wheel drive
Transmission:
Rear mid-mounted, six-speed automated manual gearbox with auto shift manual/select shift manual (ASM/SSM) electric hydraulic control system
Magnesium alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft
Twin Plate competition clutch.
Limited slip differential.
Suspension:
All round independent double wishbone with fully adjustable Multimatic DSSV dampers.
Brakes:
Front: Ventilated floating grooved discs with 6 piston callipers
Rear: Ventilated floating grooved discs with 4 piston callipers
Fuel System:
120 litre endurance racing fuel tank
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By: cobaltdriver07 5/20/2011 9:41 AM does anyone else see the GTR styling queue's on this thing. first Dodge does it now Aston Martin is trying to jump on the band wagon. |
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By: 66Mope 5/20/2011 9:44 AM Agreed about the GTR. |
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By: Xx3DyLaN2xX 5/20/2011 10:00 AM yupp, i thought at first it was a squished GTR. |
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By: sammy1398 5/20/2011 10:14 AM i agree with the gt-r likeness, the side profile is very similar...but finally aston martin's doing something original for a change! i've been getting reeeall tired of seeing the same thing, altered slightly, throughout their range...for them to have 3 different coupes, roughly the same size, all offering v-12s and almost the same head and taillights, seems ridiculous to me. it may not be completely original, but looks pretty damn good to me! |
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By: krush454 5/20/2011 12:46 PM Yeah it does have GTR styling, but still an amazing car |
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By: 2digits 5/20/2011 12:48 PM Porn! |
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By: 2digits 5/20/2011 12:49 PM You guys act like the GT-R is fun to look at |
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By: DaveyBoyo 5/20/2011 12:59 PM GTR O R G E O U S |
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By: albania_fier 5/20/2011 4:06 PM it only REALLY resembles a GTR is that cut in the front fender behind the front wheels other than that it got nothing to do with gtr sick car, cant wait to see it on the street since i sure as shit aint getting one |
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By: gold94corolla 5/20/2011 4:38 PM nah, doesn't look like a GTR to me, pretty much just Aston, and it is so beautiful. |
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By: BIG_CIVIC 5/20/2011 5:09 PM I think the front fenders resemble the Lexus IS-F more than a GTR. And the rear of the car resembles a Pokemon shark. Especially those tail lights. But that's a good thing. I love this car. |
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By: 74Furyous 5/20/2011 6:38 PM I think the only part that resembles the GTR are the rear quarter windows. The shape is almost identical. Otherwise, the car looks much sleeker. Not sure I like those wheels though. |
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By: ___nes___ 5/20/2011 7:29 PM I don't see GTR on the fenders but on the roof line ONLY (side angle) but who cares with a rear like that!!! |
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By: ilovethestig 5/20/2011 8:17 PM the front of the cars profile is very gtr but the back screams ferrari to me...excuse me i have to go get new pants... |
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By: ae86tougeD 5/21/2011 7:39 AM Front= DB9 with bullet nose Middle=GTR specialy the roof Rear=Ferari 599 But evry one its not any of these its a dam martin! |
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By: 2digits 5/21/2011 7:40 AM I'm with nes |
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By: albania_fier 5/21/2011 11:06 AM dear bro`s the cut or vent or whatever the hell you want to call it in the front fender behind the front wheels screams gtr but ye i agree with the roof angle now too since it was just pointed out |
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By: usnrocker 5/21/2011 8:02 PM thats flat out gorgeous |
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By: 5StarCertified 5/21/2011 10:48 PM Wouldn't mind getting one of these for http://certifiedperformance.ca |
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By: Mustagon 5/22/2011 10:20 AM Looks like a Ferrari 599 and a Ford Shelby GR-1 had a bastard child... Come on Aston, you're better than this. |
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By: TorqueAutoSport 5/22/2011 1:20 PM Front and side profile looks great. The rear doesn't appeal to me. *** http://www.torqueautosport.com *** |
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By: MegaMaro 5/25/2011 10:41 AM Thats what the 350/370Z should have looked like. Its already badged with a Z so lets just go with that... |
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By: kadeefour 5/25/2011 11:06 AM 370Z on steriods,,this is one fat looking sports car......... |
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By: mike300zxt 5/25/2011 11:16 AM I don't think cars are copying the GT-R. That side profile preceded the GT-R... http://www.ssip.net/upload/koenigsegg-ccx-side-3_43.jpg |
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By: VeilsideMiataC1 5/25/2011 11:20 AM Are you kidding....the roof and back slope of side and rear windows looks just like GTR...but that's not exactly a bad thing!!! |
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By: dig4bucks 5/25/2011 12:19 PM Looks a lot like the Zagato designed Superformance out of South Africa that came out months ago. The Superformance is a tremendous car at I will guess a fraction of the cost of the AM. Of course, it will not have the AM name value but other than that I bet the two cars would well matched up. The Superformance will likely run about $120K with the Vette engine. |
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By: makstone 5/25/2011 5:13 PM I disagree with the GT-R similarity.. aside from the fender vent the roofline actually looks more like a shortened V12 Vanquish. Astons have always had a unique identity from a styling point, and I think this one is gorgeous! Check some pics of a V12 Vanquish and the kinship is clear. |
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By: TAG850CSi 5/26/2011 5:50 AM This new Aston offering is a work of art. To even mention a resemblence to the GTR is ludicrous. |
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By: DC_SAAB 5/27/2011 8:09 AM Unless they plan to offer competitive pricing as compared to true supercars, I'm not sure Ferrari needs any help selling their cars, but I'm sure they will appreciate the help and comparison. One would think with all those cylinders they could squeeze true super-car power and performance out of it by now. Astons were always unique and should continue the current line by improving what didn't work not changing what did. The look was one of the main reasons anyone paid the exorbitant price for a car that barely meets supercar standard. It is pretty obvious whom they are going after or trying to be compared to. Why by a look-a-like when you can pay the same for the real thing. Guess I'm going to have to start saving even more money now.. because the older models will be harder to find for less. This change is definitely not good for Aston Martin.. just makes them a merger candidate.. if anything else since they will already have the same body parts to produce more Ferraris.. |
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By: DC_SAAB 5/27/2011 8:12 AM On second thought.. maybe there's a Ferrari designer is working two jobs. |
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