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Snap up the only all-aluminum Aston Martin V12 Zagato Coupe in the world

Roses are red, violets are blue, and neither are remotely as beautiful as this extremely rare 2012 Aston Martin V12 Zagato Coupe sporting Aston Martin Racing Green. The only example of its kind, It's currently listed for sale in the U.K. Offered by Bell Sport & Classic, this V12 Zagato is the top layer of the cream of the crop. The engine plaque says the car is No. 2 of 2, but in reality, it's one of one. While the first of the two pre-production prototypes was built using part aluminum, part carbon fiber for the body, this example was built entirely out of aluminum. The two pre-pro cars were used for events, and customer viewings, and toured around the globe.  In total, a few more than 60 Aston Martin V12 Zagato Coupes were produced (some report 61, others say 64). It was unveiled at the 2011 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa dÂ’Este as a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the DB4GT Zagato. Under the hood, it has a V12 that originally made 510 horsepower, and it shares mechanical parts from the V12 Vantage. It features several typical Zagato style characteristics, such as the double-bubble roof, wide-open grille, short body overhangs, and circular rear lighting. This example is right-hand-drive and features a manual transmission. Despite its status as a pre-production vehicle, it has been owned before. Aston Martin had possession of the vehicle until 2016, when Zagato was set to take ownership for its own collection, but "a very special Aston Martin client" finessed it away from the manufacturers. Before he took the car in, it was given a "full recommissioning." Originally Titanium Grey, it was repainted Aston Martin Racing Green, and the interior was retrimmed as well.  The 2012 Aston Martin V12 Zagato Coupe is currently available for purchase.  Related Video:

Aston Martin 'Goldfinger' DB5 continuation cars' gadgets revealed

Awhile back, Aston Martin announced that it would create some Aston Martin DB5 sports cars that replicate James Bond's car in the movie "Goldfinger." What really got our attention was that Aston Martin intended to give it functional gadgets. The company has finally provided a list of the details it intends to replicate, along with some samples of progress, and it's all quite impressive. The list of functional or semi-functional gadgets that will be included is extensive. About the only thing that won't operate is the passenger ejector seat, which is completely understandable. Otherwise, the car will have rotating license plates, extending bumper rams, an oil slick system, smoke screen generator a simulated radar screen in the center stack, switches under the armrest and shift knob and a weapons storage tray under the seats. Under the semi-functional list are the machine guns and raising bullet shield. We say semi-functional because the machine guns don't actually fire anything, and we doubt the bullet shield should be put to the test. The company also released video showing the progress on the smoke screen, oil slick and machine guns. The oil slick is easily the most impressive, as the dispenser deploys from behind the taillight and sprays in the same fan pattern from the movie. And it very clearly will spray liquid, though actual oil spray is probably inadvisable in real life. The machine gun, while not actually firing shots, is still impressive to see. It deploys from behind the turn signals, and it lights up and recoils in a very convincing manner. The smoke screen is less impressive after all this, but it still looks true to the movie, since it appears it will send smoke out the tailpipe. This car is turning out to be the ultimate piece of Bond memorabilia with its shockingly realistic and well-integrated gadgets. So we're inclined to agree with our West Coast Editor and resident Bond expert James Riswick that this is totally worth the 2.75 million pound price tag. And if you don't agree, you may find the Lego DB5 model more acceptable.

2020 Aston Martin DB11 tops this month's list of discounts

When we drove the Aston Martin DB11 for the first time, we said that it "stands out" and that "it delivers on the promise of Aston's potential for a successful second century." But we also said, "There must be a reason to buy the Aston beyond the fact that it turns heads at the country club." In case its stunning good looks and 600-horsepower 5.2-liter twin-turbo V8 weren't enough to grab your attention, how about a discount of nearly $20,000? Right now, buyers of the 2020 Aston Martin DB11 are paying, on average, $182,435. According to data provided to Autoblog from Truecar, that's a discount of $19,385 from the British coupe's average suggested retail price of $201,820. That's the largest discount on a new car in America this month, based on the dollar amount off the car's sticker price. The next biggest discount is for the 2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Buyers of the German brand's range-topper are scoring an average discount of $13,816. While that's a much smaller number than the DB11, it represents 13.5% off the S-Class's average retail price of $101,151 versus the 9.6% discount of the Aston Martin. In fact, the Benz's percentage discount means it's the eighth-best deal in America overall. If you favor a different flavor of German luxury, the 2019 Audi A8 isn't far behind with an average discount of $12,701 representing 12.5% of its $101,762 average sticker. For a look at the best new car deals in America based on the percentage discount off their suggested asking prices, check out our monthly recap here. And when you're ready to buy, click here for the Autoblog Smart Buy program, which brings you a hassle-free buying experience with over 9,000 Certified Dealers nationwide. Related Video: 2017 Aston Martin DB11 First Drive