2019 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake
Registration no. MGZ 4297
Chassis no. SCFNLCUZ7KGJ54496

Periodically, Aston Martin has renewed its relationship with the celebrated Italian styling house of Carrozzeria Zagato, continuing a fruitful collaboration that had started back in the early 1960s with the building of 19 special competition cars on the DB4 GT chassis.

Zagato had forged its not inconsiderable reputation by building a succession of lightweight aerodynamic sports and GT cars, most notable on Alfa Romeo and Lancia chassis, so its choice as partner for the development of the somewhat more utilitarian shooting brake concept may seem surprising at first. In fact, the Shooting Brake was just one of four new Zagato-styled models to be built on the V12 Vanquish platform, the others being a Speedster, a Coupé, and a Volante. The planned production was for 99 Coupés, 99 Volantes, 28 Speedsters, and 99 Shooting Brakes, making 325 cars in all. All four designs are the result of close creative collaboration between Aston Martin and Zagato.

First member of the family, the Vanquish Zagato Coupé had commenced production in late 2016. Next in line was the Vanquish Zagato Volante, the announcement of which on 15th August 2017 in Carmel, California, USA marked another milestone in what is recognised as one of the most enduring creative partnerships in the global automotive industry. At the same time it was confirmed that not only would a Vanquish Zagato Speedster enter production but that it would be joined by a spectacular Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake. Tantalisingly, the Shooting Brake was illustrated in a press photograph mostly covered, and it was not until October 2017 that images showing the entire car were made available. Even before the Shooting Brake was officially announced, all 99 had been pre-sold.

With all four designs based upon the Vanquish S, each Zagato enjoys the combination of 600PS naturally-aspirated V12 engine mated to the smooth, slick-shifting Touchtronic III transmission. Boasting adaptive suspension damping – fine-tuned for each model - the Vanquish Zagato family promises exceptional driving pleasure that is every bit as stimulating and memorable as their design.

The Speedster and Shooting Brake represent the two extremes of the Vanquish Zagato family, the former being an uncompromising roofless design that expresses the raw excitement of an open-top ultra-high performance sports car. The Shooting Brake is still a strict two-seater, but one conceived as an individual and exceptionally practical Gran Turismo. Its extended roof features the iconic Zagato 'double-bubble' profile complete with glass inlays to let light flood into the cockpit. The sculptural roof culminates in a powered tailgate that opens onto a luxuriously trimmed rear cabin area, complete with a tailored luggage set. Up front the dramatic herringbone carbon fibre fascia features anodised bronze rotary controls, extensive 'Z' motif quilting, and the option of fully aniline leather upholstery.

Aston Martin's Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, said of the Vanquish Zagato family: 'We haven't released Zagato models as a family before, at least not in this way, but the idea is not without precedent. Think back to the DB7 Zagato and DB AR1, or the V8 Zagato Coupé and Volante, for example. We've simply taken things a few steps further. Why create a family of Zagatos? Well, many of our customers want different things. Some prefer the purity of a Coupé, but others love the idea of something more extreme, like the Speedster. And yes, some of them have ordered one example of each. There's always an over demand from our clients and patrons. We could easily fulfil demand for more cars than this, but we want Zagato to remain something very special. We're creating collectibles, future concours cars. With only 325 cars worldwide, divided between 99 Coupés, 99 Volantes, 28 Speedsters and 99 Shooting Brakes - they are still the rarest of the rare."

Andrea Zagato, Zagato's CEO, said of the enduring creative partnership: 'Zagato's relationship with Aston Martin began with my grandfather and the DB4 GT Zagato, almost sixty years ago. To have a creative "marriage" thrive for three generations is something as unique as the cars themselves. My family name is associated with all kinds of wonderful designs, but for many enthusiasts and collectors around the world those that combine the Z of Zagato with the wings of Aston Martin are the most special. Collaborating closely on the design of four complimentary, yet completely different Vanquish Zagatos has been an incredibly exciting challenge. I'm proud to continue the story my grandfather started and thrilled that our partnership with Aston Martin continues to realise such exciting cars.'

This beautiful Aston Martin Shooting Brake is finished in Lava Red Metallic with contrasting black leather, red stitched throughout including the 'Z' motifs. Additional options include the Villa D'Este Pack; carbon fibre side fender; black Zircotec tailpipe finisher; carbon fibre roof; interior fascia in carbon fibre twill; black leather One-77 steering wheel; auto-dimming mirror with garage door opener; Aston Martin Tracking; umbrella and holder; carbon fibre load area; and the Q duo-tone bronze front and rear grills. In the creation of these extraordinary pieces of automotive jewellery, the front grille is machined from a single billet of aluminium, the process taking approximately 200 hours.

Representing a wonderful opportunity for the Aston Martin collector to own one of the marque's rarest and most exclusive cars, this Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake is truly one of the best-specified to come out of the factory, and is believed to be one of only three that have the optional bronze grilles. As a way to enjoy the forthcoming celebrations of Zagato's centenary in 2019, there can be none more satisfying than this latest sublime manifestation of the Italian coachbuilder's craft.

Should the vehicle remain in the EU, VAT of 20% will be payable on the hammer price and buyer's premium.