This is the final production version of the V12 Zagato, inspired by the 50th anniversary last year of the DB4GT Zagato and handmade in very small numbers (150 cars) for the princely sum of £330,000 (plus local taxes).

Whilst the V12 Zagato may be the pinnacle of the Vantage range, in some ways it has more in common with the range-topping £1 million One-77, from which it borrows many of the materials, processes and technology pioneered in that car.

Our relationship with Zagato stretches back more than 50 years. Together in that time we have created a series of very special cars.

For Aston Martin’s CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez, the V12 Zagato is “a celebration of both Aston Martin’s heritage and its future”. He continues: “Our relationship with Zagato stretches back more than 50 years. Together in that time we have created a series of very special cars.

The first – the DB4GT Zagato – is a true icon: fast, beautiful and incredibly desirable. In the V12 Zagato I believe we have captured the spirit of that car and combined it with a confident twist of modernity to give it a character all of its own.”

Initial design concepts for the V12 Zagato were explored in early 2010. Inspired by Zagato’s bold and individual styling signatures Aston Martin’s Director of Design, Marek Reichman, and his Gaydon-based design team relished the challenge of shaping the V12 Zagato, creating a car that pushes the boundaries of Aston Martin’s design language, yet pays tribute to the DB4GT Zagato.

Demonstrating Aston Martin’s ability to rapidly bring ideas to fruition the Zagato programme quickly gained momentum, the design team working hand-in-hand with engineers and craftsmen to complete the build of a pair of concept cars in the spring of 2011.

The Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, introduced in October 1960 was fitted with a a 3.7-litre, aluminium straight-6 engine producing 314 bhp. It could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 153.5 mph. Only 19 of the originally planned 25 cars were ever made.

These concept cars then made their world debut at the prestigious Villa d’Este concours in May 2011. Entered in the Concept Cars and Prototypes class, the V12 Zagato wowed the judges and the crowd, taking first place against impressive opposition.

In June the Villa d’Este winner – along with the second prototype car – made the V12 Zagato’s world racing debut at the gruelling 24 hour endurance race held at the Nürburgring. Both cars completed the ultimate durability test, continuing Aston Martin’s 100 per cent finishing record in this notoriously difficult race.

After an overwhelmingly positive response from customers, the decision was made in July 2011 to build a strictly limited run of V12 Zagatos.

Since then, Aston Martin’s design team has worked to refine the sports car’s detailing and aerodynamic performance while staying faithful to the original design concept.

At the same time engineers based at Gaydon have been putting prototypes through the company’s rigorous development programme to ensure the V12 Zagato performs as well as it looks.

Every Aston Martin is a unique combination of advanced materials, technology and time-honoured craftsmanship. The V12 Zagato takes this philosophy to a level previously only seen in the company’s exquisite One-77 supercar, which completes its build run this year.

Creating each V12 Zagato is a painstaking process that takes approximately 2,000 man-hours to complete.

Just like the One-77, the V12 Zagato is constructed from a combination of hand crafted aluminium and carbon fibre. The bonnet, signature ‘double-bubble’ roof and doors are hand-crafted aluminium, while the front and rear fenders, door sills and boot lid surround are made from carbon fibre.

The finished body is then painted in the same dedicated area as the One-77.

Four unique colours have been created for the V12 Zagato: Scintilla Silver, Alloro Green, Alba Blue and Diavolo Red. The painting process alone takes some 100 hours to complete and is followed by the marriage of the body and the drivetrain within the sports car production area.

From there the V12 Zagato is transferred to the standalone facility originally built to house One-77 production, where the build is completed.

This serene, laboratory-like space is perfectly suited to the task of creating special cars such as the V12 Zagato. It is here that time is lavished upon the fitment and installation of an array of bespoke components, including the side glass and the distinctive rear window, which features a curved surface that continues the sculptural lines of the ‘double-bubble’ roof.

All the exterior brightwork around the windows has a contemporary black finish to compliment the exposed carbon fibre components, whilst fitment of the hand-crafted interior and upholstery is also completed in this dedicated build area.

Like all Aston Martins when viewed as a whole, the V12 Zagato is an artful composition of powerful lines and compelling proportions, but when viewed up close it reveals sophisticated, sculptural surfaces and jewel-like details.

The exposed elements of carbon fibre on the front splitter, A-pillars, rear lamp pods, diffuser, door mirror cases and rear wing all display the same perfectly symmetrical weave and smooth resin finish. Likewise the bold new grille is formed in a unique three-dimensional composite material mesh that echoes Zagato’s famous ‘Z’ moniker.

More delights are found inside.

Seven Bridge of Weir hides – in semi-aniline finish to offer durability while preserving the natural texture of the leather – are used to trim the V12 Zagato’s interior.

Hand-stitched quilting of a unique design creates a flowing pattern that evokes a dynamic sense of movement across the seats and headlining, while ‘Z’ embroidery in the headrests and rear parcel shelf add a further flourish.

Satin-finish carbon fibre on the dashboard and centre stack is perfectly complimented by piano black accents and satin black rotary switchgear, whilst carbon fibre sill-plaques with ’V12 Zagato’ inlaid metal script provide a distinctive finishing touch.

A work of art built by skilled craftsmen to be driven and enjoyed by the world’s most discerning car collectors, the V12 Zagato is a fitting tribute to its illustrious ancestor.

If you’re tempted (I certainly am) then you can order a V12 Zagato for £330,000 (plus local taxes). The first production V12 Zagato will be on show at next month’s Geneva Motor Show and thereafter first deliveries will commence from Autumn 2012.

Gallery

Kia’s California design centre team enthusiastically took on the project, led by Chief Designer Tom Kearns. “Concept cars are icing on the cake,” said Kearns. “They allow KMA’s design team to dream about what could be. Whether that dream becomes a reality or not is a separate question.”

That’s a shame because it would finally move Kia into the category of ‘serious car maker’, at least for us Europeans who place so much emphasis on brand’s motorsport pedigree.

“The idea was to make the Track’ster tough looking, like a bulldog,” said Kearns. “But the car had to be approachable as well. We wanted to base the car in reality so people instantly knew it was a Soul, but with a lot of attitude. It had to be a bold interpretation that would change people’s conceptions of what a sporty Kia could be.”

Flanked by over-sized LED driving lights with billet aluminium surrounds, the Track’ster’s lower intake grille scoops in plenty of air to keep the engine running cool even under the most gruelling conditions. The lower valance, trimmed in carbon fibre and accented with Inferno Orange, rides just inches off the ground and lends to the car’s menacing stance.

The Track’ster ‘rolls’ on custom HRE-K1 monoblock billet performance wheels that were a joint effort between Kia’s California design team and HRE. The wheels are wrapped in 245/40 x 19″ Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tyres at the front and 285/35 x 19″ at the rear.

A 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line-four cylinder engine powers the Track’ster, putting its 246 bhp to the road via an electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system. With a short-throw six-speed manual transmission and a lowered sport suspension, Kia are confident their new concept will “make car enthusiasts salivate”. Really?

There’s frequent mention within Kia’s press release of the Track’ster Concept’s Inferno Orange colour scheme, which is apparently synonymous with racing.

Blimey, somebody better tell Adrian Newey that he’s been handicapping young Vettel with the ‘wrong’ colour car..

Gallery

So when Cadillac claimed it was fairest of them all, we had to take a closer look.

Cadillac’s 30-second preview of the upcoming 2013 ATS compact sport saloon during last Sunday’s Super Bowl XLVI broadcast, was apparently the most-viewed single advertising spot in U.S. television history. (With Super Bowl XVLI reaching a record U.S. television audience of 111.3 million viewers)

The data used by Cadillac was provided by Kantar Media, a well respected audience insight company, using return path data (RPD) sampled passively through the set-top boxes of an opted-in audience. The sample size used was 100,000 (of the 111.3 million audience) and Kantar Media then sample a behaviour they call ‘TuneAway’, which is essentially when a household changes channel to avoid a commercial.

The lower the TuneAway, the more successful the ad or programme. In theory.

A large proportion of investments made in technology companies at the moment are in the field of audience research and response, mostly to optimise online spend or manage customer relationships on 3rd party platforms such as Facebook. Each try to promise a ‘silver bullet’ solution (one dashboard for all needs) and tend to focus on the interpreted data rather than the method (and its assumptions) used in producing the data.

The problem though with all TV audience data is that it measures the behaviour of a household, rather than a person. A household could be a group of mates sitting down to watch the game, a family dictated to by a dominant parent or even a busy social gathering where the TV is switched on in the background.

Additionally, just like many online traffic measurements (such as Alexa or Comscore) the audience panels providing the data must first be opted in, which is often achieved via incentives (free anti-virus software, of gift vouchers). This further skews the data towards those people who look out for free-gift offers.

Cadillac’s spot, called “Green Hell,” aired at 9:37 Eastern Time, during the game’s “two-minute warning” official timeout, so audiences were literally on the edge of their seats. How many of them stayed there, rather than visiting the loo or fetching another beer is anyone’s guess.

Whilst Cadillac may have scored highest (43.46 for their 30 second spot) in the 100,000 household sample, they are currently only 47th in the Viral Video Chart with a little over 536,000 views and 1,989 shares.

This compares with Volkswagen’s 23 million views and 942,943 shares and Honda with 19.3 million and 360,900 shares, so you can see why I almost choked on my breakfast this morning. All of these are of course online viewing figures, but they likewise portray the behavior of individual people, each of whom have ‘chosen’ to click on a video rather than passively viewing it during a live broadcast.

The lesson? Don’t believe everything you read and make sure you understand how behavioural data has been compiled and the context that it refers to.

It’s good to see Cadillac embracing the Nurburgring so strongly during development of their ATS sports saloon, I just hope they’ve also inherited some of their Germanic competitor’s understatement when it comes to the performance of the car.

Based on the latest Astra GTC, the VXR is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection engine producing 276 bhp and a mighty 400Nm of torque. That’s enough for it to easily achieve an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.

While the Astra VXR is based on the new GTC, it has benefited from a raft of bespoke chassis modifications, transforming it into a focused, high-performance coupe.

Setting it apart from all other current Astras is a specially developed mechanical limited slip differential (LSD), which works on the front wheels. In conjunction with the GTC’s sophisticated HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut) design, the LSD provides the Astra VXR with exceptional lateral grip and traction through bends.

Further changes to the chassis include brakes developed by competition supplier, Brembo, and standard fitment of Vauxhall’s fully adaptive FlexRide system. In the Astra VXR, FlexRide features not only a Sport button, but a VXR button, offering drivers the choice of two, more focused stages of damper, throttle and steering control.

Much of the chassis sign-off was carried out at the Nürburgring, and was overseen by Le Mans 24-hour race winner, “Smokin’ Jo” Winkelhock.

At just 4.28 metres long, Vauxhall’s new small SUV can accommodate five adults in comfort. Power is provided by a choice of three engines – 113 bhp 1.6 litre petrol, 138 bhp 1.4-litre Turbo and 128 bhp 1.7 CDTI turbo diesel with 300Nm of torque.

The Astra VXR can be distinguished by a set of specially sculpted front and rear bumpers, side skirts, an aerodynamic roof spoiler and two exhaust tail pipes in a familiar VXR-trapeze shape. Inside, the VXR’s cabin gets bespoke performance seats with embossed logos in the backs, a flat-bottomed VXR steering wheel and upgraded instruments.

Vauxhall’s most powerful diesel engine ever is fitted to the Insignia and will be priced from £27,120 on the road. The twin-sequential turbocharged diesel is based on the existing 1956cc unit which powers key models in the Insignia, Astra and new Zafira Tourer range. However, in BiTurbo form the engine produces up to 35 bhp more power and a significant 50Nm of extra torque, reducing the 0-60mph time by nearly one second to 8.2 seconds for the front-wheel drive Insignia Hatch.

But thanks to a package of eco-efficiency features – including standard Start/Stop across the range – the front-wheel drive Hatch achieves 57.6mpg on the combined cycle, 2.2mpg better than the 158 bhp single-turbo 2.0 CDTi model.

Combining Nissan’s advanced engine technology, lightweight platform and an aerodynamically efficient body INVITATION is said to achieve class-leading levels of fuel economy and emissions. Nissan is aiming for an ultra-low CO2 emission target of under 100g/km for the most frugal model and with all versions eligible to wear Nissan’s Pure Drive badge.

At the same time, Nissan have designed the INVITATION Concept to offer responsive agile handling on a par with top performers in its segment.

But Nissan’s new concept is not just a good looking car, it’s also packed with some of their most advanced technology such as Around View Monitor (AVM) safety technology, which makes reversing and parallel parking as stress-free as possible, plus Nissan Safety Shield Technologies, which interacts with the driving environment keeping the driver aware of what is happening around the car.

François Bancon, Deputy Divisional General Manager of Product Strategy and Planning, said: “The name we have given to this concept is self-explanatory. It is designed to be inviting thanks to its sensuous exterior design and generous and comfortable interior space, cleverly packaged within compact overall dimensions.”

Due to be unveiled at next month’s Geneva Motor Show, the INVITATION Concept is due to be launched in the UK from 2013.

Gallery

Showcasing the design and technology direction for Honda’s next generation supercar, the NSX Concept features a V6 mid-mounted engine and will employ a range of new technologies including the innovative Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel DriveTM) hybrid system. It is expected to go on sale within the next three years.

While many supercars opt for a big powerful engine, the NSX Concept pursues the true racing philosophy of ‘performance through lightness’ to achieve a more favourable power-to-weight ratio.

Utilising a unique 2-Electric Motor Drive Unit with a bilateral torque adjustable control system, the new hybrid all-wheel-drive system can instantly generate negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering, which Honda anticipates will deliver handling performance unmatched by previous AWD systems.

In addition to the handling benefits of the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® system, a powerful next-generation VTEC V-6 engine with direct-injection, works in concert with a dual clutch transmission with built-in electric motor, to create supercar acceleration combined with outstanding efficiency.

Speaking at last’s months Detroit show, Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor Co., who led the development of Honda’s first NSX supercar, said “This Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system will make the NSX the ultimate expression of the synergy between man and machine. The NSX will make the driver one with the car to enhance dynamic driving abilities without getting in the way.”

He went on to say, “Like the first NSX, we will again express high performance through engineering efficiency. In this new era, even as we focus on the fun to drive spirit of the NSX, I think a supercar must respond positively to environmental responsibilities.”

We look forward to seeing it up close and personal at Geneva.

European CR-V Prototype

Honda will also present the European CR-V Prototype at Geneva, a preview model highlighting the exterior styling direction of the all-new fourth generation European Honda CR-V, which is set to go on sale in Autumn 2012.

Compared to the previous generation, the model takes on a more aggressive stance with deeper sculpting of the body lines and a bolder front fascia. The lower front bumper wraps smartly upward to convey SUV capability, while the lower front bumper design now integrates more smoothly into the fascia for improved aerodynamics.

Gallery

The GT 86 will in fact cost from £24,995 when sales start in June, which is as welcome news as its 1190 kg kerb weight and shows Toyota is serious about making the GT 86 accessible to most enthusiasts. The final on-the-road price, once further options are included, will be announced nearer the time of launch.

Unveiled at last year’s Tokyo motor show, the GT 86 marks a return to the pure enjoyment of driving within Toyota’s range. Designed to be entirely driver-focused, it offers a classic front-engine, rear-wheel drive set-up in a light, compact and nimble chassis.

The power plant is a 2.0-litre flat-four “boxer” unit shared with Subaru, that delivers a maximum 197bhp, matched to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Power is distributed to the rear wheels via a limited slip differential to give the best possible grip in all driving conditions.

Advance orders are being taken for the GT 86, with many UK customers already signed up to be among the first to take ownership of the car when it arrives here this summer.

Since Toyota’s GT 86 is a joint project with Subaru’s BRZ, we would expect pricing of both cars to be very similar, barring some brand differences in their specification and after-sales packages.

One can only imagine the surprise though, when Felipe and Fernando were presented with a pair of Scuderia Ferrari styled Jeep SRT8′s in which to get around in.

Formula One drivers are not known for their patience, so I am sure they would both prefer to be sitting in their new race car, rather than cruising the streets of Maranello in a Jeep, no matter how special they look.

Both cars were custom built and feature an aggressive exterior look with an SRT-exclusive design, adding classic Ferrari brand styling cues and the unmistakable Rosso Corsa signature colour.

The seven-slot Jeep front grille is painted matte black and features custom red inserts. A race-inspired, offset black driver’s stripe with a white accent customises the front and rear bumpers, bonnet, the entire surface of the roof and the rear spoiler.

Additional exclusive details include a matte black painted dual-pane sunroof, Carbon fibre mirror caps and a gloss black rear light bar with red accents on the Jeep logo. To complete the unique exterior trim of the custom-built SRT8 models, the Italian flag has been painted on the underside of the rear spoiler: a tribute to the Ferrari F150º Formula One car.

Ride height has been lowered by 3.8 cm (1.5″) and both vehicles run on unique forged aluminium, 20-inch wheels painted black giving them an even more aggressive stance.

In line with the car’s custom exterior, the interior cabin is enhanced by exclusive Ferrari Red leather inserts on the seats with sculpted bolsters. Also the door trim panels, the central armrest and the instrument panel boast exclusive red leather.

The leather-wrapped SRT8 steering wheel with mounted paddle shifters features red contrasting stitching, whilst the unique instrument cluster features yellow dials which evoke the look of the Maranello’s famous GT sports cars.

The Grand Cherokee SRT8 is powered by an all-new 6.4-litre HEMI V8 engine with Fuel Saver technology that switches off four of the eight cylinders when not required, to increase fuel economy.

With 463 bhp and 465 lb-ft of torque (630 Nm), the SRT8 achieves 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds, 0-100-0 mph in the mid-16 second range and can cover the quarter mile in the mid-13 second range. It has a top speed of 160 mph, and can brake from 60-0 mph in a little over 35 metres.

The sight and sound of nearly 17-litres and 2,000 bhp barking a tuneful chorus would be quite a spectacle, but for the time being we’ll just have to make do with the FF on its own, with of course former World Rally Champion Markku Alen behind the wheel.

The venue for the video below was the Arjeplog track, in Northern Sweden, about 100 km South of the Arctic Circle. The track is probably the most challenging surface for Ferrari’s latest 12-cylinder which features an innovative 4RM four-wheel drive system that was highly praised by Markku Alen, the Finnish ice track specialist and winner of the World Rally Championship in 1978.

At temperatures between -15° and -30° Celsius on the steep inclines and challenging corners of the 14km “Forest” track, Markku was able to test the FF in conditions that few (if any) owners are ever likely to experience.

Traction was at a premium on the extremely low-grip surfaces, but thanks to the FF’s 47/53 front/rear weight bias and its clever differentials, the car (and driver) were able to demonstrate its safety, stability and performance to great aplomb.

Even more impressive, given the scenario painted in the introductory paragraph, the FF was fitted with standard Pirelli Sotto Zero tyres. Not studded or skinny winters. In fact Ferrari tell us that the FF on standard Pirelli Sotto Zeros can perform a full throttle standing start on a 20% (1 in 5) incline on snow, with no wheel spin. Impressive eh?

Markku commented afterwards that the FF is especially enjoyable to drive, even for a former World Champion – but then he would say that wouldn’t he? What’s not to like about driving a £200,000+ supercar on snow and ice?

The Track’ster concept car was created at Kia’s California Design Studio and went on show for the first time today at the Chicago Auto Show. To be powered by a 246bhp (250PS) Petrol engine (if it’s ever produced), Track’ster is intended to be the ultimate sporting representation of Kia’s Soul, in keeping with the B-segment SUV’s rebellious, individual and urban character.

Kia’s hugely successful urban crossover, the Soul, was originally created in the California Studio, the birthplace of the Soul’ster convertible concept that is currently under final assessment for production. Soul has been a hit with US consumers, with more than 102,000 delivered to owners in 2011.

At the moment, there are no plans for Track’ster to enter production, but as always this will depend on the response Kia receives at motor shows and from customer feedback.

The Track’ster certainly looks like it would make a good addition to Kia’s ever improving range, we just wonder whether they’ll need to up the ante in their ads and use something more bad-ass than Hamsters.