Aston Martin DB7 Zagato
- 99 Limited edition examples produced 2002-2003
The DB7 Zagato was introduced at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August 2002 and later shown at the Paris Motor Show the following October.
The DB7 Zagato rekindled the relationship between Aston Martin and Italian coachbuilder Zagato, which had started with the iconic DB4 GT Zagato in 1961. This very special coupe was built as a strictly limited production run of only 99 cars and was only available in the UK, Europe and South East Asia (a 100th car was produced for the Aston Martin museum).
The unique steel bodyshell featured a distinctive, large front grille aperture, and the signature Zagato ‘double bubble’ roof line with sculptured rear window. The rear end was completely unique and had single round tail lights and a drop down boot lid. Zagato styled 5 spoke alloy wheels and a unique Analine leather interior completed the striking looks of this very special car. DB7 Zagato used a 440bhp version of the DB7 GT engine coupled to a 6 speed manual transmission.
The DB7 Zagato is powered by a 6.0 L V12 engine that has been tuned to now produce 441 PS (324 kW; 435 hp) at 6,000 rpm and 410 lb⋅ft (556 N⋅m) of torque at 5,000 rpm. Power goes to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission or an optional 5-speed automatic.[12] It featured upgraded suspension and brakes as well It has a top speed of 186 mph (299 km/h) and a 0–60 mph acceleration time of 4.9 seconds.
At the 2002 Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin announced its intention to work with Zagato to create a new, limited edition model for the 21st Century – the DB7 Zagato.
The two companies first began working together in 1961 when they produced 19 examples of the DB4GT Zagato, and then in 1987 when they launched the V8 Zagato Coupe and Volante.
Based on the Aston Martin DB7 the DB7 Zagato underwent a number of changes to produce a specialist hand-built car that reflects some of the traditions of the past and combines them to create a distinctive modern Aston Martin.
Internationally renowned for the design of some of the world’s most beautiful cars, designer Andrea Zagato and his team incorporated many of the styling cues inspired by the original DB4GT Zagato to create a beautiful, elegant and classic body design reflecting the heritage and traditions of Aston Martin. These include the long bonnet, shortened tail and the famous ‘double-bubble’ roof.
The large distinctive radiator grille and accentuating rear wheel arches are unmistakably from Zagato, whilst the carefully detailed features such as the reverse/fog light combination provided graphic evidence of the painstaking hand craftsmanship and quality that has become an Aston Martin trademark.
The aluminium body, constructed on a shortened DB7 Vantage Volante wheelbase offered a 60kg weight advantage over the standard car. Other visible exterior differences included the unique 18″ Zagato-styled wheels with revised offset to give a wider track (8×18″ front, 9×18″ rear).
Up-rated, anti-lock, ventilated discs were fitted all round, equipped with Pagid RS4-2-1 pads. Both front and rear suspension systems were developed specifically for enhanced performance and optimum precision handling.
The DB7 Zagato retained the all alloy, twin-overhead camshaft, 48-valve,
6.0-litre V12 engine used in the DB7 Vantage, but due in part to a weight reduction, power for the DB7 Zagato increased giving the car a sportier feel. The low inertia engine with twin plate clutch also meant that torque delivery of the V12 engine is progressive throughout the rev range. It also utilised the original manual, six-speed close ratio transmission but with a different differential and a short shift gear lever.
Offered in three standard exterior colours – Mercury Grey, Aqua Verde and Zagato Nero – the DB7 Zagato boasted a hand-stitched leather interior, unique in design to the DB7 Zagato and trimmed in Dark Chocolate aniline leather.
Just 99 examples of the DB7 Zagato were produced, with the aluminium bodies made in Italy and the car finished in the UK at Bloxham – the home of the Aston Martin DB7 Vantage.
Body & Exterior
• Zagato-styled exterior panels on a shortened DB7 Volante underframe
• Aluminium bonnet and door skins, boot and front wings
• Steel roof – incorporating the famous Zagato ‘double-bubble’ trademark
• Composite sill covers and front and rear aprons
• Unique rear quarter windows and rear screen
• Rear brake lights, fog lamp, reversing light and reflectors
• Zagato-badge on boot lid and front wings
Suspension, Wheels & Tyres
• Zagato-styled alloy wheels with revised offset to give wider track – 8×18″ front (unique to DB7 Zagato) 9×18″ rear (standard DB7 Vantage)
• Up-rated brakes
• DB7 Vantage sports suspension with unique dampers
Powertrain
• DB7 Vantage sports differential 4.09
• Shortened propshaft, quickshift gear lever
• DB7 Vantage 12-cylinder, 6.0-litre engine
• DB7 Vantage sports exhaust
Interior
• Unique to DB7 Zagato aniline leather trim
• Modified door trim to match high waist line
• New rear trim panels with luggage shelf replacing rear seats
• Standard DB7 Vantage front seats but finished in quilted aniline leather with the Zagato ‘Z’ embossed in seat backs
• DB7 Vantage sports switchgear
- Length: 4481 mm
- Wheelbase: 2531 mm
- Height: 1244 mm
- Width: 1861 mm
- Weight: 1740 kg
- Top speed: 190 mph
- Price at launch: £160,000
