>>Aston Martin V12 Zagato

Aston Martin V12 Zagato

Aston Martin V12 Zagato

Category	Endurance racer concept/ Grand Tourer
Constructor	Aston Martin Lagonda LTD/Zagato
Designer(s)	Marek Reichman
Technical specifications
Chassis	Bonded aluminium chassis, aluminium body, steel roll cage
Suspension (front)	Independent double wishbone with fully adjustable Multimatic DSSV dampers
Suspension (rear)	Same as front
Engine	Aston Martin, all alloy, quad overhead cam, 48 valve 5,935 cc V12, 10.9:1CR, FR Layout
Transmission	6-speed Automated manual gearbox
Competition history
Notable entrants	Aston Martin Racing
Notable drivers	Ulrich Bez,  Marek Reichman
Debut	53rd ADAC ACAS H&R-Cup VLN round at the Nürburgring
Races Wins Poles Fastest laps 3 0

The Aston Martin V12 Zagato is an endurance racing concept car made by Aston Martin in collaboration with Zagato to celebrate a 50 year partnership since the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato. Introduced in Lake Como, Italy at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on 21 May 2011, the Zagato was awarded with the competition's "Design Award for Concept Cars and Prototypes" which has also been won by the One-77 in 2009.

Like the Aston Martin V12 Vantage on which it is based, the V12 Zagato is powered by a 6.0 L V12 engine with 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque.

Design

Designed at the Aston Martin Design Studios in Gaydon, the concept features a new handcrafted aluminium body with a front similar to the one of the Vantage and a heavily modified middle, roof and rear section uniting both of the companys design DNAs. Another extra is the endurance racing fuel tank carrying up to 120 litres of fuel.

Production

Following a large interest by customers Aston Martin announced they would build a homologated version of the car, producing only a limited run of 150 at the Aston Martin headquarter in Gaydon. Starting delivery in the second half of 2012 the Zagato will be priced at around £330,000 excluding local taxes.

Racing history

2011

Aston Martin V12 Zagato 'Zig', at the 51st VLN, 2011

The Aston Martin V12 Zagato made its racing debut at the 53rd ADAC ACAS H&R-Cup VLN round at the Nürburgring on 28 May. The event for the car being a preparation and development experience ahead of the Nürburgring 24-hour race, to be held over the 25–26 June.

Two V12 Zagatos competed in the 51st ADAC Reinoldus-Langstreckenrennen VLN four-hour race on the 11th June. Again as a test session ahead of the Nürburgring 24-hour race. Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr. Ulrich Bez lead the driver team joined by the company's Nürburgring Test Centre Director, Wolfgang Schuhbauer plus experienced amateur racer Peter Cate in the first of the two V12 Zagato's. The sister car was driven by One-77 Chief Engineer Chris Porritt, experienced sports car driver Oliver Mathai and automotive journalist Richard Meaden. Competing in the SP8 category, the V12 Zagatos; near production standard cars with only essential safety and aerodynamic modifications required for racing, took 2nd and 3rd place in class, equating to 15th and 39th overall in field of some 150 largely specialist cars.

The two V12 Zagatos affectionately nicknamed ‘Zig' (green car) and ‘Zag' (red car) competed in the 39th ADAC Nürburgring 24-hour race, held over the 25–26 June. The two factory backed cars both completed the race, finishing 5th and 6th in the SP8 class.

The red car also sprinted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2011 over the 1–3 July. Driven by Aston Martin head designer, Marek Reichman, the car recorded a best time of 61.21 to finish 15th in the overall shootout.

On October 17 'Zig' was part of a collaboration between Aston Martin and Toyota at the VLN9 DMV 250-Meilen-Rennen. During the race drivers of both the V12 Zagato and Lexus LF A which included the CEO of Aston Martin and President of Toyota had an opportunity to drive both cars.

2012

The V12 Zagato tested positively at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring.