Words: Hamish Roy
Last weekend, those gazing out across the glittering waters of Lake Como may have experienced a sudden, inorganic flash of red from the opposite bank. Across the waters, the latest offering from Aston Martin and Italian coach-building company Zagato was seeing the light for the first time. Unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’este, the Vanquish Zagato Concept comes 56 years after their first collaborative model, the 1960 DB4 GT Zagato – the younger, slightly sportier-looking sister of the eternal DB5.
With a distinctly sporty profile, the new concept carries various design hallmarks of the Milanese firm. Their signature ‘double bubble’ roof is in evidence, as is an oversized grille – a feature found on every collaborative model they have produced with the English firm. The styling is undeniably bold and assertive; a dark windscreen wraps the car, giving the impression of a single sheet of glass that is reminiscent of a helmet visor. As with their celebrated Db4 variation, Zagato have brought a futuristic and dynamic edge to the Vanquish without blurring its distinctive lines. Beneath the bonnet lies the growling Vanquish V12, a 6.0 litre engine capable of 569 horsepower.
Images of the interior reveal herringbone-patterned carbon fibre on the dashboard, ‘Z’ logos on the headrests and aniline leather detailing in ‘shadow’ and ‘anodised bronze’ shades. Like the exterior, the interior shows a thoughtfully balanced mixture of idiosyncratic Zagato design and features more more commonly associated with Aston Martin. Those who are taken with the car’s sleek looks will, however, have to await announcements as to whether it will make the transition from concept to production model.
For more information, visit www.astonmartin.com
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