What's all this about?

It's another utterly gorgeous Aston Martin, although this one is rather special as it's a Zagato.

I've heard of that name before, haven't I?

Yes, the Italian coachbuilding firm has a long association with Aston Martin, stretching right back to the absolutely sublime, lightweight, competition-focused DB4 GT Zagato of 1960. Since then, the company has occasionally created some very desirable and highly limited edition versions of the regular Aston road cars, culminating in 2011's V12 Vantage Zagato: just 101 were made and they each cost (gulp) £396,000.

You were right to call it special. Is this one going on sale?

Not sure, because the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Concept you see here is currently just that, a concept - and it's scheduled for a world debut at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este event on the shores of Lake Como.

So what has Zagato done to the Aston in terms of that styling?

The whole body is made of carbon fibre and is obviously extensively re-styled compared to a normal Vanquish. Round rear lights are an Aston-Zagato trademark, so they're incorporated here, along with the 'bladed' LED detailing that has only been seen before on Aston's Vulcan track-only hypercar. Another Zagato calling card is the 'double bubble' roof, a feature originally penned into the DB4 GT Zagato to allow for more room inside for racing crash helmets; so while it looks pretty today, it's a characteristic with genuine motorsport credentials. The door mirrors took inspiration from the astonishing Aston One-77 supercar, it features a rear diffuser (with quad exhausts) and a retractable rear spoiler that is similar to the DB11's aerodynamic configuration, and there's a side strake on the flanks with a Z logo for good measure. Net result: one stunning machine.

How about the interior?

Shadow and anodised bronze and aniline leather sits alongside herringbone carbon fibre, while Z emblems can be found on the headrests, the centre console and even in the quilted pattern stitching for the upholstery. This Z is not the mark of Zorro, of course...

Funny. And how about the engine?

The usual V12 of the Vanquish, although it has been uprated to 600hp and Aston mysteriously mentions 'enhanced driving dynamics', without going into any more detail of precisely what they might be. Nevertheless, whatever the state of the mechanicals, this has to be one of the most beautiful modern cars on sale today. Oops, sorry... it's not on sale yet. But we can only hope it will be soon.

Matt Robinson - 20 May 2016