The modern Zagato has the same engine as the V12 Vantage, but the 6.0 liter, alloy quad overhead cam, 48-valve engine is tuned to produce 510 brake horsepower and 420 lb. ft. of torque. That engine powers the finely sculpted mix of hand-shaped aluminum and carbon fiber to a 0-62 time (as the uppity Brits need to go that extra 2 mph) of 4.2 seconds. the power plant is front-mid mounted, like the Mercedes SLS-AMG.
The exhaust is as exclusively tuned as the rest of the car, with its fully catalyzed, stainless steel, active bypass valves.
The body sculpting shares the Vantage’s low profile, but cuts a wider, more rounded tail. The low-riding rear spoiler reminds you this was inspired by Aston Martin’s racing history. It’s marked by its distinctive “Z” badge and as its massive side panel air cooling vents. The forged aluminum 19” alloy wheels wear racing quality Pirelli P Zero Corsa rubber.
The interior high-end consumers will see is still under design, as the Zagato on display at Galpin was a testing vehicle set-up for racing with a roll-bar and few of the elite, technological creature comforts luxury performance cars must possess.
Aston Martin chose Galpin for the Zagato’s visit because the Van Nuys auto dealer isn’t your Dad’s car shop. Selling everything from Aston to Ford to Lotus, Galpin has its own in-showroom Starbucks and full, sit down restaurant for folks waiting for their dealership vehicles to be tuned up or repaired. Galpin also maintains its own multi-circuit racing team (Galpin Motor Sports).
The Zagato resided in the dealership’s Aston Martin Lounge, a special vault-protected membership area where only Aston Martin owners with a special keycard can gain access. Inside, you’ll find a cocktail lounge, leather chairs, satellite HD TV and (of course) samples of the Aston Martin for sale, including that V12 Vantage.
LA’s nouveau riche rich joined celebrities like former NFL star Michael Strahan and actress Nicolette Sheridan to gaze at the Zagato and other rare vehicles, such as the 2011 Spyker and a limited edition matte black Lotus Evora (one of only 25 in existence). Galpin packed on the food, french pastries, cocktails and hand-rolled cigars to keep the super car-centric party fueled.
The new Zagato on display at Galpin and at auto shows around the world is a purely racing pedigree vehicle, but the final design of a street legal version will be completed this year, with orders being taken for 2013. The 1960 DB4GT Zagato now fetches as much as $4 million at auction, so the $540,000 price tag slapped on this 21st century version is a bargain.
Sadly, you won’t be able to pick up a couple because Aston Martin executives expect only a handful of Zagatos to sell in North America. Middle Eastern money is expected to claim most of the rest.
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