Ciprian Florea wrote:When it comes to bespoke cars and coachbuilding companies, Zagato is a name we simply cannot ignore. The Milan-based manufacturer is mostly known for redesigning several Italian automobiles, but it is also responsible for meddling with other vehicles, like the Ford Mustang and the Cadillac Eldorado . The Italians are also famous for creating a handful of breathtaking Aston Martins through a cooperation that dates back to the 1960 DB4 GT. Zagato also designed the DBS Coupe Centennial for the company’s anniversary in 2013, and in 2014, the Italians and Brits are back in the spotlight with the Virage Shooting Brake.
This stunning new vehicle comes right on time for Zagato’s 95th anniversary and joins the Lamborghini 5-95 , a unique, Gallardo -based supercar specifically designed for long-time collector Albert Spiess. Much like the 5-95, the Virage Shooting Brake was also built for a wealthy collector, but this time the Italians have dropped the supercar-like appearance in favor of cutting-edge styling cues. It also marks the completion of the Aston Martin-Zagato centennial trilogy that also included the DBS Coupe and the DB9 Spider.
The first intriguing detail about Zagato’s new Shooting Brake is the base car itself. Aston Martin discontinued the Virage in 2012, after a mere 18 months of production. It’s likely the owner brought his own Virage to Zagato, which pretty much explains why the concept isn’t based on a DB9 or a Vanquish .
Origins aside, the Virage had most of its body rebuilt, with very few cues reminding us of what was used as a base car. Both the front and rear fascias have been redesigned and are now inline with the other two bespoke Aston Martins from the Centennial lineup.
Similarities to its Centennial siblings include the basic shape of the front end, and the way the beltline and the character lines run from the front fenders toward the back. The Shooting Brake’s rear end is also nearly identical to that of the Centennial twins, but its roof gives the back end some added character.
Maybe "shooting brake" might not be the best term here, at least not in a traditional way, as the roof goes nearly flat toward the rear. We can that Zagato aimed to achieve a modern interpretation of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Volante of the mid-1980s, and the Italians have succeeded once again.
There’s no word on engine modifications, but it’s safe to assume the Shooting Brake retains the Virage’s stock engine. The V-12 unit displaces 6.0 liters, and cranks out 490 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. A standard Virage needs 4.6 seconds to sprint from 0 to 60 mph and comes with a top speed of 186 mph.
