#AstonMartin Reveals Hot Vanquish Zagato #Concept [Auto Styling News]

Aston Martin brought a real head-turner to this year's Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach this year, the latest concept Vanquish Zagato, which debuted at the Villa d'Este show on Lake Como in Italy this past spring.

The Vanquish Zagato is the fifth car to emerge from a collaboration that stretches back over five decades, pairing Aston Martin's acclaimed dynamic and material qualities with Zagato's signature design language. As well as spectacular sporting ability, Vanquish Zagato showcases the very best of Aston Martin’s bespoke luxury.

The collaboration with Zagato began with the beautifully muscular DB4 GT Zagato racing car of 1960 – now valued at over £10 million -, and includes the V8 Vantage Zagato launched in 1986, the 2002 DB7 Vantage Zagato and the V12 Vantage Zagato revealed in 2011.


The design of the production Vanquish Zagato will be closely related to the concept. With proportions that remain quintessentially Aston Martin. The new bodywork is entirely shaped from carbon-fiber, with the split lines on the body significantly reduced by the use of large one-piece panels.

The beautifully wrought hood looks very muscular indeed, as if it's going to leap forward while sitting still. The grille is larger than on current models, making it an extremely aggressive and drop-dead gorgeous. The lamps and fog lamps are equally sweet, and add to the overall handsomeness of the concept.

Other design elements include devastatingly beautiful round tail light reflectors that are meant to evoke the classic Zagato, using the same 'bladed' LED technology as the Aston Martin Vulcan, while the wing mirrors are closely related to the units developed for the One-77.

The Vanquish Zagato's sculptural rear end resembles the DB11's aerodynamic profile, complete with retractable spoiler and rear hatch for easy access to the luggage compartment. Rippling carbon fiber sills run around the lower body to create a pronounced line from front to rear, with a quad-exhaust nestling within the curvaceous shapes.

The Vanquish Zagato’s glasshouse wraps around the bodywork like a visor, enhancing its aggressive stance. The classic strake is larger, running from the wheel arch all the way to the door, like the new DB11. A sharp crease on the rear wheel arch transforms into the rear flanks, where it meets the cascading roofline.

The roof has a gorgeous "double bubble," continuing into the rear window glass, like few other cars has ever accomplished, but has been a staple in Zagatos going back to the 1950s as a way to make room for racing helmets, so this is clearly an homage, which may or may not make it into production, if this car actually does. (The Peugeot RCZ, which IS a production vehicle, has an equally gorgeous, and perhaps even more pronounced "bubble" on its roof and rear window. Sadly, we don't ever  get to see Peugeots in the US, so Google it.)

In short, Aston should definitely build this. It's a testament to this concept that all of these elements not only look beautiful together and work together seamlessly to bring about a true work of art (as all Astons are, but here, even more so.) But also, they separately would be assets on ANY luxury vehicle - and are actually improvements over many in its class. They would dramatically elevate any vehicle of a lesser class.

Photos: Courtesy Aston Martin

#Buick Avista Concept Named N. American Concept Of The Year [Auto Styling News]

The Buick Avista has been awarded the 2016 Concept Car of the Year and the Most Significant Concept Vehicle of the Year at the 2016 North American Concept Vehicle Awards at the Concours d’Elegance of America in Plymouth, Michigan.

The awards recognize the vehicle that makes the strongest impact in terms of automotive design, engineering and market responsiveness. According to Buick, the Avista is both an indicator of Buick’s future design direction and a celebration of its design heritage.

"The design process of the Avista brought the team together to unite around a future direction for the brand and the great teamwork and enthusiasm it generated," said Bryan Nesbitt, executive director, Buick Global Design. "While looking to the future, we also wanted to honor the rich heritage of Buick by integrating timeless design cues in this beautifully progressive concept vehicle."

Judges praised the Avista’s futuristic interior and intuitive design, and Detroit Free Press auto critic Mark Phelan said the vehicle "cements Buick's surprising status as one of the auto industry's most intriguing brands."

The aggressive stance of the Avista is immediately apparent. The wide grille features Chrysler-like wings and Mercedes-like mesh background that are no doubt titanium (at least on the concept) and the boomerang headlamps are striking. Buick says both the grille and headlamps forecast future design elements.

© General Motors

It will be great if the low stance and small greenhouse remain in the final model (if indeed this goes to production) because it's incredibly sporty.

In this coupe style, especially in the rear pillar window, rear pillar, and the entire rear of the car, one can squint and see the Honda civic, but that styling seems more elegantly wrought here. The rear lamps are large and luxurious, as must be said of the deep, rich "Dark Sapphire Jewel" color on this concept.

The exterior boasts titanium and carbon-fiber accents that make for optimal durability. The sleek design reinforces the balance of beauty and precision during the driving experience.

Following its introduction at the 2016 North American International Auto Show, the Avista also received the EyesOn Design Excellence Award and was named “Best Future Concept” by Detroit News readers. It should be noted that the concept was wildly popular when released earlier this year. A good sign that GM may be motivated to bring something like this to market in the coming years.