2012 Aston Martin V12 Zagato
In the world of high-performance grand tourers, few cars blend beauty, exclusivity, and motorsport pedigree quite like the Aston Martin V12 Zagato. A creation born from the 50-year collaboration between Aston Martin and the Italian design house Zagato, the V12 Zagato is both a tribute to heritage and a showcase of modern engineering.
Unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in 2011, the V12 Zagato immediately stole the spotlight, winning the prestigious “Design Award for Concept Cars and Prototypes.” Its muscular stance and flowing lines are unmistakably Aston Martin, but with a dash of Zagato’s Italian flair. The handcrafted aluminium body, while reminiscent of the V12 Vantage, carries unique cues like the iconic double-bubble roof and distinctive rear design, giving it a look that commands attention.
Designed by Aston Martin’s Marek Reichman, the V12 Zagato captures the best of both worlds: a British grand tourer enhanced with Zagato’s design elegance. Every curve and detail speaks of luxury and speed, without ever compromising the aggressive performance credentials underneath.
Beneath the sculpted hood lies a naturally aspirated 5.9-liter AM11 V12 engine, shared with the V12 Vantage. With 510 bhp and 570 Nm of torque, the V12 Zagato delivers raw, unfiltered power through a 6-speed manual gearbox. Its aluminium chassis and fully adjustable Multimatic DSSV dampers give it an agile, planted feel, allowing drivers to explore the car’s capabilities with confidence.
The car’s suspension setup, featuring independent double wishbones at both the front and rear, provides the precision needed for both track days and long-distance touring. Combined with its relatively low weight of 1,450 kg (3,197 lb), the V12 Zagato can push the limits of performance, whether on the Nürburgring or the open road.
The V12 Zagato’s development wasn’t confined to the design studio. Its racing debut at the 53rd ADAC ACAS H&R-Cup VLN round at the Nürburgring showcased its motorsport DNA. Racing in near-production form, the two V12 Zagatos, affectionately named “Zig” and “Zag,” performed admirably, securing podium finishes in their class at the Nürburgring 24 Hours. These test sessions, including their 2nd and 3rd place finishes in the SP8 category, were crucial in fine-tuning the car for road use.
The “Corsa” (race) version was first to hit the tarmac in 2011, followed by the “Stradale” (road) version in 2012. While both shared the same heart-stopping V12 engine, the Stradale version offered a more refined, road-friendly design, without the quick-release body panels or close-placed exhausts of the race-ready Corsa.
Despite the buzz and customer interest, Aston Martin produced only 61 V12 Zagatos, far fewer than the originally planned 150 units. Each was built with a level of craftsmanship befitting its £330,000 price tag. For those lucky enough to own one, the V12 Zagato is a piece of Aston Martin history.
Aston Martin’s decision to revisit the V12 Zagato in 2020, with a limited run of 19 coupes and 19 convertibles in collaboration with R-Reforged, only added to its legacy. With power boosted to 600 bhp, new centre-locking alloy wheels, and the option of a 7-speed manual transmission, this new version blends modern performance upgrades with the timeless Zagato design.
The Aston Martin V12 Zagato is more than just a grand tourer,it’s a celebration of half a century of collaboration between Aston Martin and Zagato. With its blend of jaw-dropping aesthetics, exhilarating V12 performance, and a storied racing background, the V12 Zagato stands as a testament to what happens when art meets engineering. It’s a car that will continue to inspire passion and admiration for generations to come.
