Aston Martin V12 Zagato wins Concorso d’Eleganza design award
Aston Martin’s V12 Zagato took the top honour for concept cars at its world debut during the 2011 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy, drawing strong interest from visitors and collectors.
Aston Martin’s V12 Zagato claimed the Design Award for Concept Cars and Prototypes at its world premiere during the 2011 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, held on the shores of Lake Como. The British marque’s collaboration with Italian coachbuilder Zagato was recognised by visitors, who voted the V12 Zagato best in class among ten international entries.
The V12 Zagato was revealed as a modern tribute to the original DB4GT Zagato, marking the 50th anniversary of the 1961 classic. Built on the underpinnings of the V12 Vantage, the concept combined Aston Martin’s 6.0-litre V12 engine with a bespoke aluminium and carbon fibre body styled by Zagato. The car’s muscular proportions, double-bubble roof and distinctive grille referenced the historic partnership while updating it for contemporary tastes.
Public vote and competition
The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is one of the most prestigious classic and concept car gatherings in Europe. For the concept class, visitors select the winner by ballot. In 2011, the V12 Zagato stood out against rivals from established design houses and manufacturers, reflecting both its aesthetic appeal and the enduring pull of the Aston Martin-Zagato link.
The win came at a time when Aston Martin was exploring limited production of the V12 Zagato, subject to customer interest. The concept’s positive reception at Villa d’Este helped gauge demand among collectors and enthusiasts, many of whom were present at the event. Aston Martin subsequently confirmed plans to produce a small run of road-homologated V12 Zagatos, priced at a premium and hand-built at the company’s Gaydon facility.
Design and technical details
The V12 Zagato’s design fused Aston Martin’s established visual language with Zagato’s signature cues. Its hand-crafted aluminium panels and carbon fibre elements contributed to a purposeful stance. The car shared its mechanicals with the V12 Vantage, including the naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 engine producing over 500bhp and a rear-mounted six-speed manual gearbox. Performance figures were in line with the donor car, but the Zagato’s exclusivity and bespoke detailing set it apart.
- Bespoke aluminium and carbon fibre bodywork
- 6.0-litre V12 engine (from V12 Vantage)
- Manual six-speed transmission
- Double-bubble roof, signature Zagato grille
Following its Villa d’Este debut, the V12 Zagato was scheduled to compete at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, continuing Aston Martin’s tradition of proving new models in endurance racing. The car’s dual role as concept and competition vehicle was intended to demonstrate both design flair and engineering integrity.
Legacy and production plans
Encouraged by the response at Villa d’Este, Aston Martin confirmed a limited production run of the V12 Zagato. Each example would be individually built to order, targeting collectors seeking a modern interpretation of a classic Anglo-Italian collaboration. The model’s rarity and design pedigree positioned it as a future collectible, echoing the desirability of the original DB4GT Zagato.
For further details on the production version and pricing, seeAston Martin Confirms V12 Zagato Production at £330,000.
