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| Aston Martin V12 Zagato | |
|---|---|
| Name | Aston Martin V12 Zagato |
| Manufacturer | Aston Martin Lagonda Limited |
| Production | 2011–2012 |
| Assembly | Gaydon, Warwickshire |
| Designer | Zagato |
| Class | Grand tourer (car) |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Engine | 6.0 L AM11 V12 |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual (some), 6-speed automatic |
| Predecessor | Aston Martin DB9 |
| Related | Aston Martin V12 Vantage S |
Aston Martin V12 Zagato is a limited-production grand tourer created through a collaboration between Aston Martin and Zagato, unveiled in 2011 at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este and shown at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The model combined styling by Adolfo Orsi-linked Ugo Zagato's firm with engineering from Aston Martin's Gaydon facility and powertrain development rooted in the AM11 engine lineage. Commissioned as a halo car bridging Aston Martin DBS aesthetics and V12 Vantage performance, it was produced alongside coachbuilt traditions associated with marques such as Ferrari and Maserati.
The V12 Zagato originated from collaborative projects between Aston Martin and Carrozzeria Zagato that date back to the 1960s and reflect mutual work on coachbuilt prototypes displayed at events like the Geneva Motor Show, the Frankfurt Motor Show, and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Design cues reference classic Zagato themes—double-bubble roof popularized by Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato—while incorporating modern aerodynamic strategies derived from wind‑tunnel testing at facilities used by teams in Formula One and Le Mans Series. Styling was overseen by Zagato designers working with Aston Martin's chief creative officers, aligning body panels, lightweight aluminum architecture developed in concert with suppliers such as Alcoa and engineering partners like Cosworth derivatives used for calibration. The interior melded leather and carbon fiber, echoing long-term craftsmanship collaborations between Sabelt and luxury ateliers known to supply Bentley and Rolls-Royce.
Under the skin the car used a 6.0-liter naturally aspirated V12 closely related to the unit found in the Aston Martin DBS and tuned in the manner of engines certified by agencies like FIA for endurance competition; outputs were quoted around 510–517 PS with torque figures competitive with contemporaries from Lamborghini, Ferrari, and McLaren. The drivetrain featured a ZF Friedrichshafen-sourced automatic option and a manual gearbox prepared to rival manuals in models from Porsche and BMW M Division. Chassis dynamics benefited from adjustable suspension geometry informed by testing at circuits such as Silverstone Circuit, Nürburgring, and Monza, while braking hardware used carbon‑ceramic discs comparable to packages fitted to Pagani and Koenigsegg hypercars. Performance benchmarks placed 0–60 mph sprint times and top speed figures in line with grand tourer rivals including the DBS and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.
Shortly after the coupé's debut, Zagato and Aston Martin offered coachbuilt variations and bespoke commissions inspired by historic one-offs like Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato. Special editions featured bespoke paint finishes, interior trims executed by artisans associated with houses such as Hermès and Bertone-era alumni, and lightweight packages that included forged wheels from manufacturers comparable to OZ Racing and aerodynamic appendages recalling prototypes seen at Le Mans 24 Hours. A convertible variant was proposed in client configurations, echoing commission patterns seen in limited runs by Pininfarina and Italdesign Giugiaro, while bespoke customer commissions led to unique badging and chassis number differentiation recognized by collectors and marque registries.
Announced production was strictly limited, continuing a recent Aston Martin approach exemplified by models like the One-77 and Vanquish Zagato collaborations; final build numbers were small and allocated via Aston Martin's global dealer network across regions including United Kingdom, United States, Japan, and United Arab Emirates. Sales and allocations involved private previews at events such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed and private viewings during Monaco Grand Prix weeks, with pricing reflective of bespoke coachbuilding akin to offerings from Rolls-Royce Coachbuild and high-end commissions by Ferrari Special Projects. Secondary market activity later unfolded through auctions at houses like RM Sotheby's and Bonhams, attracting collectors with provenance documentation paralleling that required for historic Aston Martin DB5 examples.
Critical reception combined admiration for the vehicle's proportions with debate over styling choices, mirroring discussions around past Zagato collaborations with marques such as Alfa Romeo and Maserati; major automotive publications including Autocar, Top Gear, Car and Driver, and Motor Trend assessed dynamics, craftsmanship, and performance. The model received invitations to elite concours events such as Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este showings and garnered enthusiast awards from regional clubs like the Aston Martin Owners Club and recognition from bespoke coachbuilding juries that have historically honored projects from Pininfarina and Bertone.
Notable owners and custodians included private collectors, patrons known for assembling collections with vehicles from Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Bugatti, and museums specializing in automotive heritage such as the Louwman Museum and private galleries that stage exhibitions alongside pieces from Jaguar and Bentley. Certain chassis have appeared at high-profile auctions and charity events, displayed in proximity to historic racing cars that competed in 24 Hours of Le Mans and at concours fields that showcase examples alongside DB4 GT survivors; provenance for these examples often involved documentation links to Aston Martin's factory records and Zagato coachwork archives.
Category:Aston Martin vehicles