Aston Martin Zagato (2011) anniversary concept

Aston Martin is teaming up with Italian design house Zagato again to mark the 50th anniversary of the DB4 GT Zagato with a new Zagato-bodied V12 Vantage. Only this solitary teaser image has been published so far, revealing the shape of the new 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Zagato - which is likely to make production.

The car will be shown at the Villa D’Este concours in Italy on 21 May 2011 – and Aston Martin promises this starts a new working relationship with Zagato, suggesting further models will be forthcoming.

Aston remains tightlipped at present over what exactly underpins the new Aston Zagato, but this initial design sketch suggests it could be based on one of the existing supercars. CAR understands it is in fact a rebodied V12 Vantage.

The newcomer will be raced at the Nurburgrging and elsewhere, culminating in the 24hr race at the 'Ring on 25 June 2011. Aston has pledged it will monitor reaction ‘with a view to a production car following in 2012’.

Aston Martin first worked with the Italian coachbuilder in 1961, when they built an even lighter DB4 GT. In true race turnaround time, they drafted the initial design in just a week, claims Aston.

All the 19 original DB4 GT Zagatos still survive, despite a race career that began in 1961 and continues to this day with historic motorsport events such as the Goodwood Revival where Zagatos are regularly seen competing hard in the TT.

The relationship between Britain and Italy resumed in 1986 with the V8 Vantage Zagato, a 186mph brute that could hit 60mph in 4.8sec, while in 2002 the DB7 Zagato signalled the end of the DB7.

Aston CEO Ulrich Bez said: ‘The DNA of both Aston Martin and Zagato has combined successfully to make some of the world’s most desirable collector cars in the past and in this special anniversary year of the DB4GT Zagato it is appropriate to explore a modern collaboration.

‘Now is the right time for a new Aston Martin Zagato and in combining our design intelligence I think we can create something fitting of the iconic DB4GT Zagato that has gone before and since established itself as one of the most famous Aston Martins of all time.’

Our view? It seems to make sense. The DB4 GT Zagato is one of the most mouth-watering cars of all time, and Aston has proved adept at spinning off versions of its current range as it waits for the all-new product to come through.

What's not to like about a Zagato-bodied V8 Vantage sold to the rich, lucky few? We hear it'll have trad Zagato shaped headlamps and roof motifs.

By Tim Pollard