Aston Martin to release DBZ Centenary Collection

In celebration of its 100th birthday, Italian design company Zagato is once again joining forces with British carmaker Aston Martin to release two limited editions vehicles as part of its new DBZ Centenary Collection.

Strictly limited to 19 units for each model, the Collection will consist of the track-only DB4 GT Zagato Continuation and the road-going DBS GT Zagato.

The new-old DB4 will be built at the Aston Martin Works facility in Newport Pagnell, whereas the DBS will be produced at Aston's global headquarters in Gaydon.

In keeping with the historic nature of the DB4, the engineers will use “old world” production techniques with a “sympathetic application of modern engineering advancements”.

The body will be crafted with thin-gauge aluminium body panels covering a lightweight tubular frame, however special digital scanning technology will be used to improve the accuracy of the panels.

Like the original DB4 GT Zagato built in the early 60s, the Continuation model will be powered by a straight six-cylinder engine with two spark plugs per cylinder, matched with a four-speed manual transmission and a limited slip differential.

The new coupe will out-power the original, producing 380bhp (283kW) as opposed to 314hp (234kW).

According to Aston Martin Works managing director Paul Spires, the DB4 GT Zagato Continuation will remain authentic to the original design.

“It has been my pleasure and privilege to oversee many exceptional projects here at Aston Martin Works, but creating nineteen DB4 GT Zagato Continuations as one half of the DBZ Centenary Collection is a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said.

The DBS GT Zagato, will be based on the new DBS Superleggera, with the “next evolution in Aston Martin Zagato design language”.

“We will bring all our hand-craftsmanship and expertise to bear in building these nineteen Continuation cars, sympathetically incorporating the very latest engineering advancements and performance enhancements, but remaining true to the purity and authenticity of the original design.”

The other model in the DBZ Centenary Collection, the DBS GT Zagato, will be based on the new DBS Superleggera, with the “next evolution in Aston Martin Zagato design language”.

Details are scarce, however the company has revealed it will feature a new 'double-bubble' roof and front grille treatment.

Both vehicles will be priced at £6 million (A$10.9 million), with global deliveries pegged for Q4 2019.

If you could choose, would you have the historic DB4 GT or the modern DBS GT? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below.