Though I reckon that Aston Martin produces some of the world's most beautiful autos, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That said, Aston has been working with Zagato for years to rebody and improve upon the Brits' already stunning design.
In recent years we've seen the V12 Vantage Zagato and this year we saw the release of the Vanquish Zagato Coupe. Given the chassis' use as a convertible as well, we shouldn't be too surprised to see the release of the Vanquish Zagato Volante.
Monterey Car Week
Simiarly to the Vanquish Zagato Coupe, the Volante benefits from the same exterior modifications and rebody. Now a more sensual, fluid shape it's a new take on the Vanquish's sophistication. I kinda like it!
We're also happy to report that this Zagato will receive a tuned up version of the 6.0-liter V12 found in the standard car. One catch: this one will produce 592 horsepower, which is a bump from your run-of-the-mill Vanquish. Though it is not disclosed, we're assuming it will only be paired up with an eight-speed automatic c/o ZF.
99 units of the Vanquish Zagato Volante are to be built and we're thinking there are openings if you want to plop down some cash. Deliveries will happen in 2017.
Monterey Car Week
Aston Martin's press release follows:
Aston Martin announces Vanquish Zagato Volante at Pebble Beach
Friday 19 August, 2016, Pebble Beach, CA: To accompany the North American debut of the Vanquish Zagato Coupe at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Aston Martin is proud to announce a striking partner for this very special car; the Vanquish Zagato Volante.
Driven by overwhelming customer interest for the previously revealed Coupe, the Vanquish Zagato Volante will be strictly built to a limited production run of 99 cars at Aston Martin's headquarters in Gaydon, England,
Vanquish Zagato Volante is the latest creation from a collaboration that reaches back over nearly six decades, beginning with the beautifully muscular DB4 GT Zagato race car of 1960 and includes the DB7 Vantage Zagato of 2002, 2011’s V12 Vantage Zagato and the most recent Vanquish Zagato Coupe announced earlier this year.
Previous Aston Martin Zagato convertibles have included the striking V8 Vantage Volante, first shown in Geneva in 1987 and the DB AR1 in 2003. Developed as an open-topped Zagato-bodied DB7 and also limited to 99 units, DB AR1 was similarly designed for the North American market and is considered today an established collectible by automotive connoisseurs worldwide.
The Vanquish Zagato Volante will be a powerful addition to the Aston Martin and Zagato lineage, embodying Aston Martin's inherent refinement and capabilities, as well as Zagato's characteristic design details. Both cars share an enhanced version of Aston Martin's iconic V12 powertrain, increasing its output to 592bhp with a projected 0-60mph time of 3.7 seconds.
The Vanquish Zagato Volante shares its proportions with the Coupe, a quintessential Aston Martin form with a classic Zagato twist, evoked by round tail light reflectors that use the same 'bladed' LED technology as the Aston Martin Vulcan supercar. The twin cowls on the rear deck blend into the leading edge of the luggage compartment, concealing a bespoke folding hood derived from the mechanism used in the Vanquish Volante. Carbon fibre sills around the lower body create a pronounced horizontal emphasis that runs from front to rear.
“Just like the Coupe, we have emphasised the way surfaces change and intersect to create a muscular form. We’ve endeavoured to create an elegant, flowing shape that really works to emphasise the car’s sculpted rear haunches” says Aston Martin’s EVP and Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman.
Inside, the Vanquish Zagato Volante continues the fine tradition of Aston Martin craftsmanship. Aston Martin's specialist 'Q' division can add further personalisation and enhancement to a cabin finished with rich and highly luxurious materials, including herringbone carbon-fibre, anodized bronze detailing and the finest Bridge of Weir leather. The Volante features the unique signature ‘Z’ quilt pattern stitch on both seat and door sections, as well as the celebrated trademark Zagato ‘Z’ embossed on the headrests and stitched into the centre console.
“The Vanquish Zagato Volante illustrates the ways in which Aston Martin design can evolve in collaboration with such a trusted and long-standing partner,' says Reichman. “Vanquish Zagato Volante continues Aston Martin's new century of innovation and creativity, strengthening the association between these great automotive marques in the process”.
Customer deliveries are set to begin in 2017.