Here are the first prototype Aston V12 Zagato TWINS
This is not, as you can clearly see, a hugely successful Eighties comedy film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito. It is instead a pair of Aston Martin V12 Zagatos, indeed the first pair; prototypes built for the private collection of Andrea and Marella Zagato.
While we suspect the comedy interaction between Coupe and Speedster TWINS is unlikely to rival that of Twins (1988) protagonists Julius and Vincent (indeed if these Astons talked to each other that’d likely be the bigger story), it’s a first proper look at a special bit of kit. Two special bits of kit.
Swiss-based R-Reforged is tasked with building only 19 pairs of TWINS – one Coupe, one Speedster – to celebrate Zagato’s centenary, hand-assembled in the company’s UK base in Warwick.
It’s got the full blessing of Aston Martin, and tweaks the original Zagato we first saw back in 2011. Indeed, both cars are now fully clothed in carbon fibre, there’s a new front splitter, new front wings, a ‘sleeker’ tail incorporating active aero (all said to “significantly improve balance and poise”), and a wonderful lump of V12 up front.
Power from the 5.9-litre has risen to 600bhp – up 80bhp on the ‘standard’ Aston V12 Zagato – thanks in part to a performance aluminium air intake and a titanium exhaust. It’s probably at this point that – much like we are right now – you’re imagining what a naturally-aspirated, 600bhp V12 with an aluminium intake and titanium exhaust sounds like. Yeah, like that.
It’s lower (10mm), it’s longer (20mm), it sits on 19in centre-lock wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, and of course, you have the opportunity to personalise it infinitely (indeed, it takes some 400 hours to create the ‘visual carbon’ finish). R-Reforged’s detailed work includes the Speedster’s new, longer windscreen, colour-matching the horn button, new carpet boot moulding and so on, and 12 craftspeople take four months to finish it.
We’re told that a lot of donor Vantages are ‘zero miles’ cars – so basically new – but each one is nonetheless stripped, analysed and refreshed before receiving the treatment that takes in some 500 new components.
“The essence of this project was to create a perfect ‘garage’, comprising two desirable and collectible cars,” said Andrea Zagato. “Despite having created over 450 models since our formation, we chose Aston Martin, which has surely been our most prestigious partner over the last 50 years, to mark this celebration.
“The cooperation with R-Reforged ensured that we could create an instant classic,” he added.
These two prototypes will be used to finalise the geometry, damper and spring settings early next year, before which they’ll be on display at a Swiss Aston Martin dealership. After their display and tests, both cars will go to their Forever Home at Zagato.
To any prospective Zagato TWINS buyers out there, have a little fun and spec both in beige suits and call them Julius and Vincent, pretty please?
