The V12 Zagato is the pinnacle of the Vantage range with which it shares most of its running gear.
It's also the latest expression of a successful collaboration between Aston Martin and Italian design house Zagato, which has given rise to a series of striking cars over the last half-century, the original and most iconic of which being the DB4GT Zagato.
The new arrival marks 50 years since the launch of the DB4GT Zagato, though commemorating a great Aston Martin of the past is only part of the V12 Zagato story. Instead, the project was seen as the perfect opportunity to take Aston Martin’s ethos of technology and tradition to a new level.
Yes, the car was created using materials, processes, and technology pioneered on the One-77 supercar. One example is the manufacture of the body panels, which are a blend of hand-formed aluminum and carbon fiber.
Production Aston Martin V12 Zagato revealed in official PDF
The finished body is then painted in the same dedicated area as the One-77. Four unique colors have been created for the V12 Zagato: Scintilla Silver, Alloro Green, Alba Blue and Diavolo Red. The painting process alone takes some 100 hours to complete and is followed by the marriage of the body and the drive train within the sports car production area.
While the body may be dramatically different to the V12 Vantage’s sweet silhouette, no changes have been made to the drivetrain, which retains the regular 6.0-liter V-12 engine and 510 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque output. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox and limited slip differential. Aston Martin promises a 0-60 mph time of around 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph.
The wheels are a unique Zagato design measuring in at 19 inches and wrapped with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires (255/35 up front and 295/30 in the rear). The brakes are carbon ceramic units with six-piston calipers up front and four-piston units in the rear.
Production Aston Martin V12 Zagato revealed in official PDF
Only 150 examples of the V12 Zagato will be built, guaranteeing the car’s exclusivity. And, as you may have already guessed, pricing is quite steep, starting at £330,000, or about $540,000 at current exchange rates. First deliveries are scheduled for fall.
Following its debut at the Kuwait Concours this weekend, the V12 Zagato will travel to Switzerland for the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The Motor Authority team will be on hand in Geneva to bring you all the live photos once press days commence on March 6. In the meantime, follow our ongoing coverage by visiting our dedicated show page.