Aston Martin is responding to the Lamborghini announcement of a limited edition version of the Centenario coupe with convertible version of its Vanquish Zagato.
Although not a competitor for the Centenario, the new Vanquish Zagato Volante introduced at Pebble Beach will also be produced in limited quantities (99 cars, it this case, compared to 20 for the Centenario roadster). Like previous Zagato collaborations, this one is steeped in history, following in the footsteps of 1987’s V8 Vantage Volante and the DB AR1 of 2003 (which was also a limited edition of 99 units).
Also like the Lamborghini, the Aston gets its motivation from an iconic V-12 — Aston Martin’s 6.0-litre engine that here puts out 592 hp and drives the 4-seat convertible to 100 km/h in about four seconds.
The look is both unmistakably Aston as well as unmistakably Zagato, with round taillights using the same “blade” LEDs of the Vulcan supercar. Twin cowls from behind the rear seats (hiding the stowed roof underneath) extend onto the trunk lid to add a speedster look.
“Just like the Coupe, we have emphasised the way surfaces change and intersect to create a muscular form,” said Aston Martin’s EVP and Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman. “We’ve endeavoured to create an elegant, flowing shape that really works to emphasise the car’s sculpted rear haunches.”
Inside, it’s all about the traditional Aston Martin craftsmanship, with rich natural and manufactured materials (including Bridge of Weir leather and anodized bronze, respectively). The seat and door-panel stitching features the signature Zagato Z-pattern, and the trademark Z is stitched into the front headrests.
“The Vanquish Zagato Volante illustrates the ways in which Aston Martin design can evolve in collaboration with such a trusted and long-standing partner,” concluded Reichman. “Vanquish Zagato Volante continues Aston Martin’s new century of innovation and creativity, strengthening the association between these great automotive marques in the process.”
Deliveries are set to begin in 2017.