llanody: Aston Martin V12 Zagato Endurance Racer

Monday, October 17, 2011

Aston Martin V12 Zagato Endurance Racer

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Like the Aston Martin V12 Vantage on which it is based, the V12 Zagato is powered by a 6.0 L V12 engine with 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque.

Aston Martin V12 Zagato

Aston Martin V12 Zagato
Designed at the Aston Martin Design Studios in Gaydon, the concept features a new handcrafted aluminium body with a front similar to the one of the Vantage and a heavily modified middle, roof and rear section uniting both of the companys design DNAs. Another extra is the endurance racing fuel tank carrying up to 120 litres of fuel.

Aston Martin V12 Zagato

Following a large interest by customers Aston Martin announced they would build a homologated version of the car, producing only a limited run of 150 at the Aston Martin headquarter in Gaydon. Starting delivery in the second half of 2012 the Zagato will be priced at around £330,000 excluding local taxes.

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The Aston Martin V12 Zagato made its racing debut at the 53rd ADAC ACAS H&R-Cup VLN round at the Nürburgring on 28 May. The event for the car being a preperation and development experience ahead of the Nürburgring 24-hour race, to be held over the 25 - 26 June.

Aston-Martin-V12-Zagato-

Aston Martin V12 Zagato

Two V12 Zagatos competed in the 51st ADAC Reinoldus-Langstreckenrennen VLN four-hour race on the 11th June. Again as a test session ahead of the Nürburgring 24-hour race. Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr. Ulrich Bez lead the driver team joined by the company's Nürburgring Test Centre Director, Wolfgang Schuhbauer plus experienced amateur racer Peter Cate in the first of the two V12 Zagato's. The sister car was driven by One-77 Chief Engineer Chris Porritt, experienced sports car driver Oliver Mathai and automotive journalist Richard Meaden. Competing in the SP8 category, the V12 Zagatos; near production standard cars with only essential safety and aerodynamic modifications required for racing, took 2nd and 3rd place in class, equating to 15th and 39th overall in field of some 150 largely specialist cars.

Aston Martin V12 Zagato

2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato

Aston Martin V12 Zagato
The two V12 Zagatos affectionately nicknamed 'Zig' (green car) and 'Zag' (red car) competed in the 39th ADAC Nürburgring 24-hour race, held over the 25 - 26 June. The two factory backed cars both completed the race, finishing 5th and 6th in the SP8 class.

Source: Aston Martin. Aston

Aston Martin V12 Zagato

The red car also sprinted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2011 over the 1 - 3 July. Driven by Aston Martin head designer, Marek Reichman, the car recorded a best time of 61.21 to finish 15th in the overall shootout.