Aston V12 Zagato production in 2012

Aston Martin has confirmed production of the V12 Zagato – yours for £330,000, plus local taxes. It will build just 150 examples will be hand-built at Gaydon, with first deliveries expected in summer 2012.

An aluminium and carbonfibre body is designed to echo the 1960 DB4 GT Zagato. Ulrich Bez, Aston’s chief exec described the V12 Zagato as ‘the perfect inspiration for the next 50 years of Aston Martin.’

I like the V12 Zagato's styling, but what are the figures?

Aston hasn’t disclosed any performance figures yet but being a V12 Vantage underneath, expect a top speed north of 190mph and 0-60 in around four seconds.

The DBS-derived 6.0-litre V12 kicks out 510bhp and 420lb ft of torque.

What does my extra £200k get me over a V12 Vantage?

Are you joking? Look at it! Ok, so an extra £200,000 won’t buy you many performance gains, but it does buy you bags of exclusivity and a car that could be worth a lot more in 20 years’ time than a standard V12 Vantage.

The Zagato body isn’t made using machines – it’s hand-crafted using a traditional wheel-and-buck method. This really is a special Aston.

But despite it being marketed as a driver focused, track proven supercar, most V12 Zagatos will never be driven in anger. They’ll be bought as investments and dry stored for the next few decades, making it out onto the road a few days a year.

source : http://www.carmagazine.co.uk

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Aston Martin Cygnet & Colette (2011) first official pictures

Aston Martin have teamed up with French fashion retailer Colette to produce the Aston Martin Cygnet & Colette. It's a 14 unit limited edition produced through the Aston Martin Works Tailored customisation programme, and available through Colette's Paris store.

Aston Martin Cygnet & Colette: the fashionista's Aston Martin

Colette (it's supposed to be lower-case, like Audi's spelling of Quattro) stylists have left the unfashionable mechanical parts alone and concentrated on the colour and trim selection on the Cygnet. 

Outside, the Cygnet gets 'Colette blue' highlights over silver paint, including what Aston Martin refers to as 'Colette blue grille lipstick and body stripe'. You'll unlock your Cygnet & Colette with a custom enameled aluminium key, and keep it pristine when parked under its bespoke car cover.

Inside, it's 'bitter chocolate' leather and quilted alcantara trim with Colette blue contrast stitching, and decorative cushions-

I'm sorry... cushions? In an Aston Martin!?

Yes, two Collete blue 'occasional cushions' sit on the rear seat. You also get a Colette custom candles, a fashionably-retro Lomography camera, Wallpapermagazine's guide to Paris, a Sigg water bottle by Colette, Colette's own air freshener spray, four Colette compilation CDs and Colette by Francis Kurkdijan bubble mix. That's for blowing bubbles with, of course. Although if you're a traditional Aston Martin fan I'd imagine your blood is bubbling away quite nicely at the moment.

Please... make Aston Martin stop!

The Cygnet & Colette may alarm you but it's only the first of many collaborations planned for Aston's Toyota IQ with the Gaydon makeover. Aston Martin design chief Marek Reichmann says, 'the Colette car is the first of the exclusive ‘Cygnet &’ collaborations. These cars will give Aston Martin a relevant platform to reach out to new customers in urban areas.'

The Cygnet & Colette will be available to order from Colette's store on Rue Saint-Honore in Paris, for delivery by the end of 2011. The price? A mere €48,995, unless you choose to add more options...

source : http://www.carmagazine.co.uk

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Aston Martin V12 Zagato (2011) makes its racing debut

Aston Martin only unveiled its V12 Zagato limited edition coupe one week ago, but has already put the racing version into action, at the latest round of the ADAC VLN series at the Nurburgring. It was the first chance the public have had to see the Aston Martin V12 Zagato since it was revealed at the 2011 Villa d'Este Concours.

Why choose the Nurburgring for the Aston Martin V12 Zagato's race debut?

Starting with what is generally regarded as the world's toughest circuit may seem counterproductive. But Aston Martin maintains its test centre at the Nurgurgring, and the V12 Zagato is based on the existing V12 Vantage chassis. Remember that Aston is planning to race two V12 Zagatos as part of its works team at the 2011 Nurburgring 24hr race later in June, and the tough location makes perfect sense.

How did the Aston Martin V12 Zagato fare in its first race?

Aston Martin had low expectations for the box-fresh car, planning to use the four-hour endurance race to test suspension set-up and allow the team to gather on-track data for further development work between now and the 24hr race.

Unfortunately, the V12 Zagato expired after 5 laps of the unforgiving circuit, succumbing to a variety of teething issues. But Aston Martin Racing was happy with the initial effort, given the newness of the car.

It was left to Aston Martin's existing V8 and V12 Vantage racing cars to push for victory. The team's V12 Vantage suffered crash damage in the first lap and was forced to retire, but a V8 Vantage came second in the SP8 class. Overall victory on the day went to Porsche, scoring a win for its 911 GT3 R Hybrid racer.

source : http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/

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