The Fine Art of Coachbuilding
Under the auspices of a groundbreaking partnership between La Squadra and Zagato, the fine art of coachbuilding is being brought into a bright new era. Presented to the public within the confines of Zagato’s illustrious Milan atelier, the AGTZ Twin Tail is an innovative combination of artistic and mechanical expression. Technology and cultural heritage. Both history and growth are important.
“As a new dawn for the automobile arrives, people wish to remind themselves of the past, and therefore the epic cars of the 1950s and ‘60s,” says Andrea Zagato, whose grandfather Ugo founded Carrozzeria Zagato in 1919. “Stories of iconic cars from history simply must be told today. It is a crucial task if we are to inspire new generations to create their own stories. Without knowing the past, you cannot invent the future.”
Despite the fact that it came close to becoming a stunning failure, the A220’s athletic performance never quite lived up to the expectations of its movie star appearance. However, there is one automobile that sticks out. In the late 1960s, when the A220 failed to achieve its high goal of winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans, its designers performed a deliberate act of destruction in order to carve out something beautiful. They sliced the bodywork of the vehicle in order to produce a tail that was thirty centimetres shorter.
Through the use of this lither design, Chassis #1731 was able to redirect its emphasis to shorter courses and rally stages. Podium finishes began to appear almost immediately, and although they were unable to actually extend the life of the automobile, they did highlight its position in the annals of history. We are very excited to go back to this location.
The persistent attitude of the A220 is revitalised by the coachbuilding expertise of Zagato, which reminds us that the A220 did not give up on its goal of achieving success in motorsport. The AGTZ Twin Tail is a completely contemporary GT vehicle that is not afraid to carry on the A220 tale in a dramatic manner. By adorning the A110 berlinette, a contemporary mid-engine icon, with a striking new outfit, it brings together the collective expertise and international cultures of La Squadra and Zagato.
Only the close-knit synthesis of our various skills could have produced this dynamic design, which is a work of art with sensationally modifiable removable rear bodywork. Whether you like the fitted elegance of a longtail or the powerful punch of a shorttail, the option is unquestionably yours with our innovative AGTZ Twin Tail. The construction of the genuinely unique automobiles has already begun, and the order book is quickly filling up. There are just 19 cars available. Pre-tax prices begin at €650,000 for the base price.
In this ode to the 21st century, coachbuilding is utilised in a manner that is both controversial and effective. With a show-stopping innovation, the AGTZ Twin Tail is a modern GT car that combines two different designs into a single vehicle. This is done in order to celebrate the history of its motorsport progenitor. Despite the passage of time, the original A220 longtail continues to maintain its amazing aerodynamic intent and lovely appearance. It is an homage to the strong A220 shorttail that is sitting beneath it, full of promise that has not yet been realised.
No longer damaging, the metamorphosis has been completed. In today’s world, it is possible for the owner to replicate it on their own accord, and it comes with a one-of-a-kind detachable longtail that is ready to enliven their garage as a piece of fine automobile sculpture when they choose to travel in shorttail mode. The fascinating world of coachbuilding is propelled ahead with newfound vitality as a result of our pioneering vision.
Andrea Zagato, CEO of Zagato: “Zagato was always a Grand Touring coachbuilder, producing cars capable of racing but which you could use every day on the road or grace a Concours of Elegance lawn with. This is the reason behind the name ‘AGTZ’ and the mission of our project.”
“We didn’t want to make a pure racing car because technology, aerodynamics, and power have changed a lot since the 1960s. Instead, we wanted to capture the inspiration and design innovation of the A220 shorttail and create an authentic Gran Turismo in the true Zagato tradition.”
“The task of coachbuilders is to provoke the car world with alternative design languages. Playing with a round or truncated tail was always in the design ethos of Zagato for its Gran Touring models. With AGTZ Twin Tail we are producing a car we believe is consistent with our heritage.”
Jakub Pietrzak, Founder of La Squadra: “The automotive industry is changing faster than ever before. With advancing technology we are becoming increasingly nostalgic, leading us to grab inspiration from the past to move new ideas forward.”
“We are just at the beginning of this Renaissance. Electrification increases competition, and it’s harder to differentiate products in terms of performance and driving stimuli. Design will take on greater significance, allowing artisan coachbuilders to step onto the stage and deliver unique projects which will separate intrepid brands from the rest of the pack.”
“Here we are paying tribute to an iconic brand rich in heritage and which successfully revived its legendary A110. As social media plays an ever more important role, I am dreaming of seeing this car on the streets of Tokyo, Le Mans and in the Great British countryside. I especially can’t wait to see it on the shores of Lake Como in May.”
Examples of the vintage A220, both with long and short tails, will be on exhibit at The I.C.E. St. Moritz from the 23rd to the 24th of February in 2024. It is anticipated that the AGTZ Twin Tail will make its complete public premiere on the beaches of Lake Como in the month of May 2024, prior to the beginning of customer deliveries in the month of October 2024.