Aston Martin and Zagato to collaborate again

Aston Martin and Zagato have announced that they are to reunite in this, the 50th anniversary of the DB4GT Zagato.

"The DNA of both Aston Martin and Zagato has combined successfully to make some of the world's most desirable collector cars in the past and in this special anniversary year of the DB4GT Zagato it is appropriate to explore a modern collaboration," Aston Martin's Chief Executive, Dr. Ulrich Bez, said, announcing the new vehicle.

"Now is the right time for a new Aston Martin Zagato and in combining our design intelligence I think we can create something fitting of the iconic DB4GT Zagato that has gone before and since established itself as one of the most famous Aston Martins of all time," Bez continued.

Aston Martin and Zagato began their partnership back in 1961 with Aston trying to shed further weight from the DB4GT. Since then, the two companies have collaborated on various projects including the 1986 V8 Vantage Zagato and V8 Zagato Volante. More recently, Aston and Zagato have joined forces on the DB7 Zagato and DB-AR1 projects.

The outcome of this latest pairing will be unveiled at the Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza in Italy later this month. The car makes its racing debut at the Nurburgring late May.

"Our designers are able to collaborate with a broad spectrum of organisations and individuals to seek new and exciting ideas and inspiration due to Aston Martin's independency," said Design Director, Marek Reichman. "Working with Zagato again in 2011 is inspirational for the team – certainly DB4GT Zagato is one of my favorite ever designs as it is with many of the designers in our studio. We can create a truly modern Aston Martin interpretation which stays true to the historical routes of the relationship with Zagato."

By John O'Brien