Aston Martin V12 Zagato road-going version revealed for Frankfurt

Production is slated to begin in mid-2012 and will be limited to around 150 units

Aston Martin has announced the road-going variant of the V12 Zagato which will be making its public debut at the Frankfurt motor show next month.

The luxury British automaker will be bringing two exemplars of the V12 Zagato, based on the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, to the Frankfurt show - one named Zig and the other Zag.

Zig, a full-spec endurance race car concept, will come in Aston Martin's distinct green livery and fitted with the aero package that distinguishes the model - that includes a front splitter, dive planes, large rear diffuser and rear wing.

Zag, which was converted to an endurance racer too, will revert back to the same guise it was in when it premiered at the Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza back in the spring.

Production is slated to start in mid-2012 and the V12 Zagato will be limited to around 150 units.

The car is priced at £330,000 (€376,500 / $544,000), not including local taxes.

Source: Aston Martin

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Lagonda crossover reportedly scrapped in favor of Rapide-based sedan

Aston Martin Lagonda hasn’t lacked for four-door models in its history, but its latest efforts have had us all scratching our heads in bewilderment. Instead of badging the Rapide as a Lagonda model, the four-door DB9 derivative has come to market instead. Meanwhile, the Lagonda badge was resurrected for an odd crossover concept that, let’s just say, wasn’t warmly received after its unveiling at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.

Subsequent reports indicated that the Lagonda concept – reportedly based on a Mercedes platform – was heading back to the drawing boards. Now, the latest reports indicate a different approach. Apparently the crossover has been canned entirely, but that doesn’t mean the dormant half of Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd is going back to sleep.

In response to customer complaints that the Rapide was lacking in rear-seat legroom (and it is pretty cramped back there), AML is now reportedly preparing to enlarge the four-door coupe into a more accommodating form that will bear the Lagonda name in the crossover’s stead. Sources place the sedan’s arrival no sooner than four years from now, so you’re long-legged friends will half to wait a while longer to enjoy the rear accommodations in your Aston.

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