The abiding innovative partnerships in the automotive industry reached another landmark this week. Starting with the global debut of the Vanquish Zagato Volante, closely followed by confirmation that the Vanquish Zagato Speedster that will enter production along with the stunning Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake.
The four Vanquish Zagato models will output 325 cars in total. The Vanquish Zagato Coupe started late last year followed by the Vanquish Zagato Volante. Strictly limited to 99 cars which have all been purchased, production has started and deliveries will be completed through 2018.
From the last two models, the Vanquish Zagato Speedster is the hardest to come by, with only 28 cars being produced. It is no surprise these have all sold! Completing the fab 4, the Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake will also enter production in 2018, with a total build run of 99 cars in line with those of the Coupe and Volante.
Each Zagato is based upon the Vanquish S and revels in a combination of 600PS naturally-aspirated V12 mated to the smooth, slick-shifting Touchtronic III transmission. With adaptive damping – fine-tuned for each model – the Vanquish Zagato quartet promises phenomenal driving enjoyment that’s both as exhilarating and memorable as their aesthetics.
The Speedster and Shooting Brake represent the two extremes of the Vanquish Zagato family. The Speedster is a relentless roofless silhouette that exudes the raw excitement of an open-top ultra-high performance sports car. The adventurous aspect of the Speedster’s design is the Speed Humps that rise up to form streamlined cowls that flow back from the seats, representing Zagato’s signature ‘double-bubble’ roof. Just like the other Zagatos all the body panels are made from carbon fibre, while shared details, such as the Aston Martin Vulcan-inspired ‘Blade’ tail lights and repeated 3D Zagato ‘Z’ motifs in the front grille and rear vent meshes, come together in constant dramatic thread that connects these otherwise unique supercars.
Still strictly a two-seater the Shooting Brake is designed as an individual and especially practical GT. The extended roof on the concept sketch reveals the iconic Zagato ‘double-bubble’ surfacing along with glass inlays to allow light to flood into the cockpit. The artistically shaped roofline concludes to a powered tailgate that opens onto a sumptuously finished rear cabin zone. With a breath taking herringbone carbon fibre facia with anodised bronze rotary controls, extensive ‘Z’ motif quilting and the choice of a fully aniline leather upholstery, the Shooting Brake is a fitting companion to the Coupe, Volante and Speedster.
Marek Reichman, Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer, said of the Vanquish Zagato family: “We haven’t released Zagato models as a family before, at least not in this way, but the idea is not without precedent. Think back to the DB7 Zagato and DB AR1, or the V8 Zagato Coupe and Volante, for example. We’ve simply taken things a few steps further. Why create a family of Zagatos? Well, many of our customers want different things. Some prefer the purity of a Coupe, but others love the idea of something more extreme, like the Speedster. And yes, some of them have ordered one example of each. There’s always an over-demand from our clients and patrons. We could easily fulfill demand for more cars than this, but we want Zagato to remain something very special. We’re creating collectibles, future concours cars. With only 325 cars worldwide, divided between 99 Coupes, 99 Volantes, 28 Speedsters and 99 Shooting Brakes – they are still the rarest of the rare.”
CEO of Zagato, Andrea Zagato, said of the enduring creative partnership: “Zagato’s relationship with Aston Martin began with my grandfather and the DB4 GT Zagato, almost sixty years ago. To have a creative ‘marriage‘ thrive for three generations is something as unique as the cars themselves. My family name is associated with all kinds of wonderful designs, but for many enthusiasts and collectors around the world those that combine the Z of Zagato with the wings of Aston Martin are the most special. Collaborating closely on the design of four complimentary, yet completely different Vanquish Zagatos has been an incredibly exciting challenge. I’m proud to continue the story my grandfather started and thrilled that our partnership with Aston Martin continues to realise such exciting cars.”