For nearly 60 years, Aston Martin and Zagato have collaborated to create some breathtakingly beautiful cars; from the classic DB4 GT Zagato to the stunning Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake, with the latter representing the two company’s most recent collaboration.
To celebrate Zagato’s centenary next year, Aston Martin is once again collaborating with the Italian coachbuilder to produce a track-only DB4 GT Zagato Continuation car and a new road-legal DBS GT Zagato. Both cars form what Aston Martin is dubbing the DBZ Centenary Collection, which is limited to 19 pairs. That's right, these cars won’t be sold separately, buyers will have to take them as a pair for an eye-watering $7.8 million.
The DB4 GT Zagato will be built at Aston Martin Works, Newport Pagnell, which is where the DB4 was originally built, while the new DBS GT Zagato will be produced at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, UK.
Originally built in the 1960s, the DB4 GT Zagato was a thoroughbred track car designed to rival Ferrari on the racetrack. Only 19 were built, hence why the Continuation model will have the same production run. Like the original, the Continuation car will be fitted with thin-gauge aluminium body panels and a lightweight tubular frame. State-of-the-art digital scanning technology will improve the accuracy and consistency of the panels before they are hand-finished. Under the hood is a Tadek Marek-designed straight-six engine sending 380 hp to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential.
As for the DBS GT Zagato, Aston Martin says the new model will be based on the DBS Superleggera and will “embody the next evolution in Aston Martin Zagato design language,” as shown in a provided sketch design. It will feature a new interpretation of the iconic double-bubble roof, a striking front grille and a truncated tail to create an “amplified physique and an unmistakable presence.”
“The partnership between Aston Martin and Zagato is one of the most fruitful and enduring in the automotive world,” Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer said. “With Zagato celebrating its centenary next year, what better way to celebrate this landmark – and the long-standing bond between our two great companies – than creating these 19 pairs of cars. As an engineer I would always say my favourite Aston Martin is the next one, but I have to say I’m struggling to think of a finer two-car garage than this!”
Customer deliveries for the DB4 GT Zagato Continuation start in Q4 2019, while DBS GT Zagato customer deliveries will start a year later in Q4 2020.
