Aston Martin Zagato sign-off for Geneva show

The glamorous V12 Aston Martin Zagato is scheduled for production later this year and will be the pinnacle of the Vantage range.

Zagato combines the modern ideas, materials, processes and technology pioneered on the company's One-77.

Initial design concepts for the V12 Zagato were explored in early 2010. Demonstrating Aston Martin's ability to rapidly bring ideas to fruition the Zagato program quickly gained momentum, the design team working hand-in-hand with engineers and artisans to complete the build of a pair of concept cars in the spring of 2011.

May 2011 saw the V12 Zagato make its world debut at the prestigious Villa d'Este concours. Entered in the Concept Cars and Prototypes class, the V12 Zagato wowed the judges and the crowd, taking first place against impressive opposition.

In June the car along with the second prototype made the V12 Zagato's world racing debut at the gruelling 24 hour endurance race held at the Nurburgring. Both cars completed the ultimate durability test.

After an overwhelmingly positive response from customers, the decision was made in July 2011 to build a strictly limited run of V12 Zagatos.

Since then, Aston Martin's design team has worked to refine the sports car's detailing and aerodynamic performance while staying faithful to the original design concept.

At the same time engineers based at Gaydon have been putting prototypes through the company's rigorous development program to ensure the V12 Zagato performs as well as it looks. Built at Aston Martin's global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, production of the V12 Zagato will be strictly limited to no more than 150 cars.

It takes approximately 2,000 man-hours to complete one car. Just like the One-77, the V12 Zagato is constructed from a combination of hand crafted aluminium and carbon fibre. The price in the UK is 330,000 (A$ 485,000).