Malta Independent

Aston Martin DBZ Centenary Collection makes world debut at inaugural Audrian’s Newport Concours

• Rhode Island unveil for first DBS GT Zagato – modern twin to the DB4 GT Zagato Continuati­on • DBS GT Zagato confirmed power figure - 760bhp twinturbo V12 • 19 DBZ Centenary Collection pairs only • Features world’s first automotive applicatio­n of conf

- Edited by John Peel

Set to become a true modern classic, DBS GT Zagato has been unveiled today at the newlyforme­d Audrain’s Newport Concours in the United States, completing the DBZ Centenary Collection.

The modern twin to the previously unveiled DB4 GT Zagato Continuati­on, DBS GT Zagato forms the contempora­ry half of this unique pairing and will pack 760bhp through its 5.2-litre twinturbo V12 power unit. This uniquely ambitious project, created to celebrate the centenary of the legendary Zagato signature, pays tribute to an icon of the past and creates a classic of the future.

With DBS GT Zagato breaking cover today for the first time in full-size, finished form at the new and exclusive Rhode Island event, the world has received its first glimpse of this iconic duo. With a price tag of £6m - plus local taxes - each pair represents the most valuable new sports cars yet built by Aston Martin as the luxury British car maker celebrates its longstandi­ng associatio­n with the world-renowned Italian coachbuild­er and design house, Zagato.

Indeed, this unique collaborat­ion extends a remarkable creative partnershi­p spanning almost 60 years. One that has consistent­ly generated bold and breathtaki­ngly exciting designs, the latest of which is the DBS GT Zagato.

Shown in Supernova Red – a paint colour exclusivel­y reserved for the DBS GT Zagato ‘Centenary Specificat­ion’ – with contrastin­g exposed carbon fibre accents and Satin Black and Gold 3D machined wheels, demonstrat­es the meticulous attention to detail that marks out every Aston Martin and showcases the key features of this pack.

Aside from the gloss finish carbon fibre roof and rear diffuser, the eye is drawn to the model’s literal and figurative jewellery in the shape of its solid 18-carat gold wings badges front and rear, black anodised active front grille and its gold anodised side strakes and centre lock wheel nuts.

Inside, the DBS GT Zagato being shown in Rhode Island features rich Caithness Spicy Red leather, Zagato ‘Z’ seat quilting and satin twill exposed carbon fibre fitted to both the paddle shifts and steering wheel.

Featuring a world first, DBS GT Zagato utilises the first automotive applicatio­n of configurab­le carbon and metal 3D-printed interior finishes. A beautiful central ‘saddle’ design features a unique parametric, inter-locking form, available in a range of three materials and finishes. This includes the choice of printed Carbon, Aluminium, or – as part of the Centenary Specificat­ion – Gold PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition). The latter requires almost 100 hours of print time with additional polishing and post-processing by skilled craftsmen to achieve a perfect lustrous finish. This represents the pinnacle of traditiona­l Aston Martin material craft, combined with pioneering technologi­cal innovation.

As with all Aston Martin options, Aston Martin’s customisat­ion service ‘Q by Aston Martin’ can take the customer’s requests a step further. Utilising these additive processes, a truly bespoke part can be created, with the material, finish and geometry of these parts capable of being specified to a unique final design. The use of this cutting-edge technology around the interior allows a customer to commission completely bespoke components – with parts, materials, and finishes designed specifical­ly to their brief.

Aston Martin Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman, said: “The design studio at Aston Martin has risen to the task magnificen­tly, working alongside Andrea (Zagato) and his team. They have taken the already fabulous DBS Superlegge­ra and shaped it into something which retains its Aston Martin identity, yet expresses itself as only a Zagato can. It is the modern expression of a timeless icon.”

Andrea Zagato, Chief Executive Officer of the Design House, commented: “Aston Martin’s elegance, class and purity of style have always blended perfectly with our own rationalis­tic design language. Zagato’s Centenary represents a bridge between the past and the future, strengthen­ed by the shared vision for an innovative approach to collectibl­es, recently coupled in pairs and twins with the aim to reach new standards of exclusivit­y in the world.”

The DBS GT Zagato sits alongside the DB4 GT Zagato Continuati­on in the DBZ Centenary Collection: the latest Continuati­on sports car to be created by Aston Martin and hand built at the brand’s global centre of heritage excellence, Aston Martin Works.

The meticulous constructi­on process at the brand’s renowned Heritage Division headquarte­rs in Newport Pagnell, Buckingham­shire, uses the unique skills on hand at the largest, best equipped and most knowledgea­ble Aston Martin restoratio­n centre in the world.

Each of the 19 DB4 GT Zagato Continuati­on cars are being built at Aston Martin Works to the highest possible quality using a blend of Sir David Brown-era old world craftsmans­hip, with the sympatheti­c applicatio­n of modern engineerin­g advancemen­ts and performanc­e enhancemen­ts.

Paul Spires, President of Aston Martin Works, said: “Paired with the new beauty that is the stunning DBS GT Zagato, the DB4 GT Zagato Continuati­on cars are a unique and fitting celebratio­n of the brand’s 60-year love affair with this unmatched Italian automotive style icon.”

The Audrain’s Newport Concours & Motor Week runs until Sunday 6 October and includes some of the U.S. East Coast’s most notable locations including the historic mansions of Bellevue Avenue, the Internatio­nal Tennis Hall of Fame and the Audrain Automobile Museum.

All DB4 GT Zagato Continuati­on cars will be delivered by the end of 2019.

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