This is the outcome of Aston Martin and Zagato renewed partnership. As it turns out the car is based on the Aston V12 Vantage.
As a concept, the V12 Zagato has two purposes. First, to be premiered at the Villa D’Este Concours on 21st May to gauge customer interest for a production version, and second to compete at the Nürburgring 24 hour race on 25/26 June; following tradition of recent new Aston Martins. If all goes well, the V12 Zagato could see production in limited numbers sometime in late 2012.
Unique Zagato touches really revamp the looks of the Vantage, but can’t say for the better. The end result is not just as pretty as the base car, but it is certainly more exquisite and artistic. The car features a new handcrafted aluminium body. Each front wing alone comprises seven separate pieces of aluminium, combined and then hand finished to give one flowing form.
It also features the infamous Zagato double-bubble roof seen on previous Aston Zagatos.
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.
“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.”
Engine-wise, the Zagato V12 is identical to the Vantage V12. It gets the same 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque, which has already proven itself in the furious ‘Ring Race. We just hope the Zagato’s aerodynamics are up to the job for the tough job at hand. The car will be driven by an experienced driver team, led for the sixth year by Chief Executive Dr. Ulrich Bez.
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
