Is the Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake the world's coolest estate?

It’s the Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake, the most different – and certainly the most practical – of the new family of Zagato-designed Vanquish specials to be delivered over the next year or so.

The pictures live up to its billing as a two-door fastback – we reckon that’s a very fast back – and also as a car in the tradition of great Aston Zagatos of the past. Long, low and pointy, it looks sharp enough to cut you.

Zagato design cues abound, most notably in the low and deep roof section which visually pushes down on the car for a signature shallow and tapering glasshouse. The roof features a glass central spine, flanked by “double bubble” bulges, reprising the most famous Aston Zagato trademark in the most contemporary fashion.

The entire bespoke body is carbon-fibre, noticeably so when it comes to the black roof and prominent diffuser. Also making a striking contrast against the red bodywork are the carbon black front spoiler, Z-badged air outlets aft of the front wheels, and side sills. The face is clearly Aston, as are the proportions, while influences from other models include Vulcan-inspired ‘blade’ tail-lights.

Despite its length it is a strict two-seater. An electric tailgate opens to reveal a long and flat rear deck, which Aston has promised will come with a tailored luggage set. The glass roof section should ensure a notably light interior while the carbon theme  extends inside with a herringbone pattern carbon-fibre facia. Controls are anodised bronze and there is extensive use of the ‘Z’ motif.

All the engineering and body architecture belongs to the Vanquish S,  with V12 in normally-aspirated form delivering 600PS (592bhp) to the rear wheels via the Touchtronic III transmission.

It is far from the first Aston Martin estate but it will be the most numerous. The Shooting Brake is one of a family of four bespoke Zagato-designed limited-edition models based on the Vanquish S. The first born, the Vanquish Zagato Coupe, was announced in 2016 – the fifth Aston to get Z badges since the collaboration with the Italian coachbuilders began in 1960 with the iconic DB4 GT Zagato.

Since then Aston has confirmed there will be Volante convertible versions, a Speedster model and this Shooting Brake estate variant, all with their own individual character. Production is limited to 99 coupes, Volantes and Shooting Brakes, plus 28 Speedsters, for a total Zagato run of 325 cars.

Pricing and availability remain between Aston and their clients; the premium on the circa £200k price of a standard Vanquish S is undoubtedly sizeable, in line with the bespoke carbon design and exclusivity – Aston believes cars like this will in the future rank among the  “most covetable and collectable Aston Martins ever”.