What's the news?
Aston Martin is no stranger to limited edition runs of special cars that cost a small fortune, but even against that backdrop, today's news is simply gob-smacking. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Zagato (the legendary Italian design house, which Aston has done business with for nearly 60 years), Aston Martin will produce the DBZ Centenary Collection, open to just 19 buyers.
Not only that, but each of them will pay the equivalent of nearly €7 million (plus local taxes...) and receive not one, but two very special cars. The first is a DB4 GT Zagato Continuation (pictured) and the second is the brand-new DBS GT Zagato (flick through the image gallery and you'll find a single design sketch of that). The latter won't be delivered to its buyers until the end of 2020, but, as its name suggests, it's based on the new Aston Martin DBS Superleggera. We're promised a new take on Zagato's characteristic double-bubble roof, an even more striking front grille and a truncated rear end. This will be a road-legal car.
Unfortunately for the buyers, the DB4 GT Zagato, to be built at Aston Martin Works, won't be road-legal, but it will, we're promised, be a painstakingly recreated vehicle, made using traditional techniques, mixed with some modern engineering to improve performance and quality. It'll feature an example of Aston's original straight-six engine producing over 380hp. This is mated with a four-speed manual gearbox and limited slip differential for the rear axle.
Paul Spires, Managing Director at Aston Martin Works, said: "It has been my pleasure and privilege to oversee many exceptional projects here at Aston Martin Works, but creating nineteen DB4 GT Zagato Continuations as one half of the DBZ Centenary Collection is a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We will bring all our hand-craftsmanship and expertise to bear in building these nineteen Continuation cars, sympathetically incorporating the very latest engineering advancements and performance enhancements, but remaining true to the purity and authenticity of the original design."
Anything else?
A word from the boss of Aston, Andy Palmer, President and Group CEO: "The partnership between Aston Martin and Zagato is one of the most fruitful and enduring in the automotive world. 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!"
And from Andrea Zagato, the current head of Zagato: "I must say I'm honoured and very proud that Aston Martin has chosen to celebrate our long-standing partnership with this unique DBZ Centenary Collection."