The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is automotive heritage, the charm of motoring, even a glimpse of the future. This year’s motto itself was Back to the future – the journey continues. Last weekend, the exquisite hotel of Villa d’Este, which is also a world heritage site, set the perfect place to unveil the Vanquish Zagato Concept that Aston Martin created with their longstanding partner, the Italian design house Zagato.
From the DB4 GT Zagato of 1960 to the V12 Vantage Zagato of 2011, four classics have been created between them before the latest Vanquish Zagato concept. They are some of Aston Martin’s most avant-garde expressions.
The Aston Martin design team was led by Marek Reichman and the counterparts from Milan by Andrea Zagato. Developed and engineered at Aston Martin’s headquarters in Gaydon, England, the new bodywork is entirely shaped from carbon fibre, with the split lines on the body reduced by the use of large one-piece panels. The round tail light reflectors evoke the classic Zagato derriere and incorporates the same ‘bladed’ LED technology as the Aston Martin Vulcan track-only supercar. Vanquish Zagato Concept features One-77 inspired wing mirrors and a sculptural rear end similar to that of the aerodynamic profile of DB11. The Vanquish Zagato Concept features a retractable spoiler and quad-exhausts.
The glasshouse cocoons the bodywork like a visor while a new avatar of the classic side strake runs from wheel arch to door just like the new DB11 – a detail originally seen on the celebratory CC-100. The roof features the iconic ‘double-bubble’ – a Zagato trademark that arose from the need to accommodate racing helmets without affecting the aerodynamic profile too much. The concept’s normally aspirated V12 engine has been uprated to 600 PS, along with enhanced driving dynamics.
Inside, an elegantly rich material quality can be evidenced in the Herringbone carbon fibre, extremely durable shadow and anodized bronze coating, as well as aniline leather. The ‘Z’ quilt pattern stitch and the signature embossed on headrests and stitched into the centre console unmistakably articulate the presence of a Zagato clad Aston Martin.
