Zagato's AGTZ Twin Tail lets you swap bodywork
There is nothing ordinary about the new limited-series Zagato AGTZ Twin Tail — but then, has Zagato ever done “ordinary”? The Italian coachbuilder is famous for its tastefully designed automobiles, masterful works of art like the Ferrari 575 GTZ; `58 Lancia Flaminia Sport Zagato; and the Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato that all tell the same story of sublime beauty and elegance.
The AGTZ Twin Tail continues that legacy. It was designed as a GT car, but its roots lie in the world of motorsports. More specifically, it was inspired by the `60s Renault Alpine A220, a largely unsuccessful racer that competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It may not have taken home too many trophies, but it did feature some stunning styling — looks that Zagato has now given reinterpreted in its own way.
Underneath the AGTZ'S incredible bodywork is an extensively modified version of the modern Alpine A110 sports car. As the car's name suggests, Zagato paid particular attention to the rear of the Twin Tail, which is where things get really interesting.
See, Zagato has designed the AGTZ Twin Tail with two different rear bodywork configurations: there's a conventional, truncated sort of “short-tail”; and also a stretched-out “longtail” piece that fits over top of the short-tail. No need to pick between one or the other on the order form — the two are completely swappable. The coachbuilder will even supply a custom-made stand for the long-tail when it's not on the car.
The long-tail is more than just a fashion accessory, though. An intriguing bit of history is woven into that unusual design element: the classic `60s A220 racer also had a long tail incorporated in its design. When the car failed to earn itself any hardware at Le Mans, Alpine sliced that extended bodywork off one example and raced it in other motorsport competitions, where the A220 did eventually manage a few podium finishes.
It's not all about the rear end. Other changes made by Zagato include a subtle double-bubble roof profile (a Zagato signature) as well as a reworked grille and headlights. The side window also features an upturned lower edge, like on the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato.
For this latest creation, Zagato teamed up with Polish automobile marketing company La Squadra to help bring its vision to life. It is a dynamic partnership, where Zagato focuses on car design and production; while La Squadra handles sales and marketing.
Only 19 examples of the Zagato AGTZ Twin Tail will be made, each priced at about CDN$949,000 (€650,000) before taxes. Zagato is planning a full public reveal in May 2024 at the Concorso d'eleganza Villa d'este, along the shores of Lake Como. The first customer deliveries follow a few months later, in October.