Zagato Concept as Prototype

 

ASTON MARTIN DB7 ZAGATO

After almost 15 years, Aston Martin is set to renew its relationship with legendary Italian coachbuilders Zagato to produce a limited edition, hand-built sports car which will be called the DB7 Zagato. With more power than the standard DB7 Vantage the Zagato version also boasts uprated brakes, sports suspension, a revised interior and an all-new 2-seater aluminium coupe body.

Zagato Trademark

At the 2002 Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin announced its intention to work with Zagato to create a new, limited edition model for the 21^st Century.  The two companies first began working together in 1961 when they produced 19 examples of the DB4GT Zagato, and then in 1987 when they launched the V8 Zagato Coupe and Volante. Now they have renewed their partnership to launch the DB7 Zagato. 

Based on the current Aston Martin DB7 - the most successful model ever in the company? 88-year history - the DB7 Zagato has undergone a number of changes to produce a specialist hand-built car that reflects some of the traditions of the past and combines them to create a distinctive modern Aston Martin. Aston Martin now intends to privately show the DB7 Zagato to customers around the world to gauge their reaction and to see if there is sufficient  interest to put a modest number of cars into production. 

Agressive Zagato Style

Zagato's signature " Double Bubble Top"

"This could be anything between 75 and 99 cars depending on what our clients tell us,?explained Dr Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin. ?e are anticipating a really positive reaction to the car and so far we have received a lot of interest and support.?o:p>

Internationally renowned for the design of some of the world? most beautiful cars, designer Andrea Zagato and his team have incorporated many of the styling cues inspired by the original DB4GT Zagato to create a beautiful, elegant and classic body design which reflects the heritage and traditions of the Aston Martin. These include the long bonnet, shortened tail and the famous ?ouble-bubble?roof.  

Grill

The large distinctive radiator grille and accentuating rear wheel arches are unmistakably from Zagato, whilst the carefully detailed features such as the reverse/fog light combination provide graphic evidence of the painstaking hand craftsmanship and quality that has become an Aston Martin trademark.  The aluminium body, constructed on a shortened DB7 Vantage Volante wheelbase offers a 60 kgs weight advantage over the standard car. Other  visible exterior differences include the unique 18?Zagato-styled wheels with revised offset to give a  wider track  (8x18?front, 9x18?rear).

Uprated, anti-lock, ventilated discs are fitted all round and are equipped with Pagid RS4-2-1 pads.  Both  front and rear suspension systems of the DB7 Zagato have been developed specifically for enhanced performance and optimum precision handling.  

The DB7 Zagato retains the all alloy, twin-overhead camshaft, 48-valve, 6.0- litre V12 engine used in the standard car, but due in part to the weight reduction, power for the DB7 Zagato has been increased giving the car a sportier feel.  The low inertia engine with twin plate clutch also means that torque delivery of the V12 engine is progressive throughout the rev range. It also utilises the original manual, six-speed close ratio transmission but with a different differential and a short shift gear lever. 

Aston Martin has not yet conducted performance testing with the DB7 Zagato but is expecting a number of improvements, including better acceleration and a higher top speed over those claimed for the DB7 Vantage Volante.  Finally, as with all Aston Martin models, clients can specify a car to match their tastes and create a truly bespoke sports car.  There will be three standard exterior colours offered which are Mercury Grey, Aqua Verde and Zagato Nero. The hand-stitched leather interior is unique in design to the DB7 Zagato and has been trimmed in Dark Chocolate aniline leather.

If there is sufficient interest in the DB7 Zagato, Aston Martin intends putting the car into production from the first quarter of 2003. The aluminium bodies will be made in Italy and the car finished in the UK at  Bloxham  ?SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  the home of the Aston Martin DB7 Vantage. 

Custom Interior of Zagato

 

Body & Exterior

 Zagato-styled exterior panels on a shortened DB7 Volante underframe