Zagato and Aston Martin: a strong alliance that goes back to the 60s with the legendary DB4 GTZ, continued in the 80s with the Vantage and Volante, and is now stronger than ever with the DB7 Zagato and AR1.

At this year’s Geneva Motor Show, Zagato is presenting the Roadster version of the Aston Martin Vanquish. For the first time, this Milan workshop is not giving an entirely new look to the production model, but is offering an interesting variation of the Vanquish, introducing new elements of style.

While the Aston Martin DB7 Zagato and AR1 were initially presented to customers in the form of a limited edition, immediately sold out, the Vanquish Roadster is a concept proposed by Zagato with the backing of Aston Martin itself.

Close cooperation between Nori Harada, Zagato’s Automotive Chief Designer, and Peter Hutchinson, Design Manager at Aston Martin, has resulted in this new car introducing elements that are a sharp break with the Roadster segment. A totally unique design of the rear introductes a functional modular cover system.

A hard top for winter, developed to not appear as an add-on but as an integral part that also takes in the rear. On warmer days of the year, its place is taken by a transparent hardened glass and an easily used soft cover. Developed by Zagato’s engineers, this soft top is easily and simply mounted and, when not in use, is held in the luggage compartment without taking up much space.

The car has a round rear light cluster, a tapered tail to best feature the wheelbox, a completely new rear bumper and a new transparent cover. The hardened glass, with its curvy ‘double bubble’ form, uniquely emphasises the relationship between the solid and void. It covers the luggage compartment immediately behind the seats which can be seen through the glass.

type	Concept / Prototype Car
released at	2004 Geneva Motor Show
built at	Italy
engine	Aluminum Alloy, V12
position	Front Longitudinal
valvetrain	DOHC 4 Valves / Cyl
fuel feed	Electronic Injection
displacement	5935 cc / 362.2 in³
bore	89 mm / 3.5 in
stroke	79.5 mm / 3.13 in
compression	10.5:1
power	335.6 kw / 450.0 bhp @ 6500 rpm
specific output	75.82 bhp per litre
torque	555 nm / 409.3 ft lbs @ 5000 rpm
body / frame	Aluminum & Carbon Fibre
front tires	255/40ZR19
rear tires	285/40ZR19
front brakes	Vented Brembro Discs w/Vacuum Assist, ABS
rear brakes	Vented Brembro Discs w/Vacuum Assist, ABS
front wheels	F 22.9 x 48.3 cm / 9.0 x 19.0 in
rear wheels	R 48.3 x 25.4 cm / 19.0 x 10.0 in
steering	Rack & Pinion w/Variable Power Assist
f suspension	Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Gas Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar
r suspension	Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Gas Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar
wheelbase	2690 mm / 105.9 in
front track	1572 mm / 61.9 in
rear track	1584 mm / 62.4 in
length	4685 mm / 184.4 in
width	1923 mm / 75.7 in
height	1265 mm / 49.8 in
transmission	6-Speed Manual w/Paddle Shifting