• V12 Zagato endurance racer makes first appearance in the region ahead of road car derivative going into production Summer 2012
• New Virage and Vantage S make regional debuts
• The luxury city car; Cygnet to appear as Aston Martin gauges customer interest in the Middle East
• Dubai show represents largest ever show presence from the company in the Middle East
2nd November 2011: Dubai, UAE - The new Aston Martin V12 Zagato will be appearing from November 10-14 at the Dubai International Motor Show along with a stunning selection of contemporary Aston Martins including the four-door Rapide, new Virage Volante, DBS Coupe and V8 Vantage S Coupe, forming the marque’s largest presence at the show to date.
Hand-assembled at the company’s global headquarters in Gaydon, England, the V12 Zagato is based on the highly acclaimed V12 Vantage and features a beautiful handcrafted aluminium and carbon fibre body. Combining traditional craftsmanship and high technology, the V12 Zagato also boasts Aston Martin’s most dynamic bonded aluminium platform and the power of the company’s acclaimed 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque.
Following extremely positive initial customer reaction, the V12 Zagato is offered for sale at £330,000 GBP (excluding local taxes) and will go into strictly limited production of up to 150 cars in summer 2012. The red V12 Zagato on display in Dubai has an exterior more representative of the road car currently offered for order although the interior shown is the race car specification.
Launched successfully in late May at the famous Villa D’Este Concours on Lake Como, Italy, the V12 Zagato saw off tough competition to be awarded the coveted Design Award for the concept and prototypes class.
Just a week later, the V12 Zagato made its racing debut at the historic Nürburgring racetrack in Germany. Both V12 Zagato prototypes were then entered into the gruelling 39th Nürburgring 24-hour race on 25/26 June, successfully amassing a combined 230 laps and over 3,700 miles of intense durability testing – both taking the chequered flag to maintain Aston Martin’s 100% finish record in the race.
Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO Aston Martin said, “Every leading motor show has its star and we are confident that the V12 Zagato, which will make its Middle East debut in Dubai, will secure this mantle. The Middle East is a key market for Aston Martin and its importance is reflected in the scale of our participation at this year's Dubai International Motor Show.”
Mr. Adham Charanoglu, CEO Aston Martin Middle East & North Africa (AMMENA) said, “We are delighted to be present at the Dubai International Motor Show 2011 and are looking forward to welcoming visitors to our stand. Equally this prestigious event is a good platform for us to announce the details of our new representative for Aston Martin in Dubai which is due to be opened in the first quarter of 2012."
Also making its UAE debut will be the new Aston Martin Cygnet, the ultimate luxury city car, as Aston Martin continues to investigate market feasibility and evaluate potential interest from customers in the Middle East before making a decision on extending availability beyond European markets.
High-tech, bespoke, compact and built to the same exacting standards and levels as Aston Martin's acclaimed range of sports cars, Cygnet is the ultimate means of metropolitan transport, breaking new automotive ground. The Cygnet has generated huge levels of interest amongst customers new to the brand and existing Aston Martin owners in the UK and Europe after sales began in May.
2011 was a significant year for Aston Martin Middle East & North Africa (AMMENA) with the introduction of new dealers in Mumbai in India and Turkey in Istanbul. Further developments are planned, including a dealership in New Delhi, India. Interest in the brand continues to grow with new investments being identified in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Morocco.
With year to date August 2011 sales up by 107% versus 2010, the Middle East continues to be an extremely important region in Aston Martin’s global expansion plans.