Feast your eyes on the latest heavenly creation from Aston Martin and Zagato, the Vanquish Zagato. The four-wheeled equivalent of haute couture, the Zagato bodied version of the Vanquish was revealed on the shores of Lake Como, in Italy, at the glamorous concours classic car competition, held at the Villa d’Este five star hotel.
The British sports car maker and Italian coach builder began creating magic together in the 1960, with the DB4 GT Zagato. Just 20 were built — five fewer than planned, due to lack of demand; hard to believe today, given its current value.
Its bodywork was designed by Marek Riechman, Aston Martin’s chief creative officer, and Andrea Zagato, CEO of Zagato. Fashioned from carbon fibre, it was built in Britain, at Aston’s Gaydon HQ.
A signature Zagato feature is the “double bubble” roof which first appeared on the DB4 GT Zagato. Deep carbon fibre sills and a rear venturi-effect undertray give the Vanquish the look of a racing car.
Happily, the changes aren’t just cosmetic. The naturally aspirated, 6-litre V12 engine has been tuned to 592bhp (600PS), which gives the driver bragging rights over the 568bhp of the standard Vanquish.
Some tuning of the suspension and brakes has gone on, but Aston Martin is not getting into specifics right now, saying only that the car boasts “enhanced driving dynamics”.
For all its drama and power, even at the time of its 2013 launch, the Vanquish was not considered by experts to be a state-of-the-art supercar. Aston Martin has since launched a Carbon Edition of the car. The Zagato could be the next addition to the range…
Will Aston Martin and Zagato build the Vanquish Zagato? It’s likely they will. The last two projects (the DBS Coupé and DB9 Spyder Centennial Zagato, and the Virage Shooting Brake Zagato) were sold as stand-alone models to wealthy collectors. However, before those, in 2011 Aston commissioned 101 examples of the V12 Zagato, which took more than 2,000 man-hours to make.
Yes, we know what you’re thinking: what is this BMW and when can I buy one? The good news is it’s the 2002 Hommage, a concept car that pays tribute to the 2002 Turbo from 1973. The bad news is it’s a one-off that won’t be going on sale.
Fifty years ago, BMW set itself on the path to success with the 2002, a compact but sporty three-door saloon that could be seen as the spiritual forebear of the current 2-series coupé. The anniversary is a good enough excuse for BMW to indulge in a PR exercise.
Like the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato, the 2002 Hommage was revealed in Italy at the Villa d’Este classic car concours competition. It is based on the recently launched BMW M2, but BMW’s designers have turned up the aggression.
The boxy bodywork, flared wheel arches and snow-plough like front spoiler mimic the original 2002 Turbo. The designers have even ditched the familiar twin headlamps in favour of two large lamps, recalling the classic car.
They might look fabulous but imagine trying to park on the high street without kerbing the bespoke 20in rims.
Nothing has changed under the skin, but that’s just fine by us given the M2 donor car features a 3-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine that develops 365bhp – a far cry from the 168bhp of the old, four-cylinder 2002 Turbo
Much as it pains us to say it, the 2002 Hommage won’t be built. Like the Hommage Mille Miglia, Hommage M1 and Hommage CSL before it, the car will forever be a tribute to the good old days.

Gallery: Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato and BMW 2002 Hommage

Which one would you like to see built?


EVERY SPRING, the great and the good from the world of classic cars slip into their chinos, dig out the old school tie, fasten the button to their blazer and head for the shores of Lake Como, in Italy. They are drawn by the promise of some of the world’s most exotic — and expensive  classic cars. But increasingly, new concept cars cause a commotion at the five star Villa d’Este venue.

This year proved no different. Aston Martin revealed the Vanquish Zagato, a super GT with nearly 600bhp and seductive curves that have been fashioned from carbon fibre bodywork. Not to be outdone, BMW showed the 2002 Hommage, a nod to the significant 2002 sports saloon, a 1970s model that set the German company on the road to success.


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Each car showcases the possibilities for expressive design when there are few rules and regulations to be followed — a little like when drivers are allowed to floor the throttle on a race track. Of the pair, it’s the Aston Martin that’s likely to make it through to limited production; the BMW, by contrast, will remain a one-off vision of the future that has been inspired by the past. However, each is well worth celebrating. Enjoy the gallery.