Improving the Aston Martin DB7’s already outstanding sales numbers was the challenge set before Aston Martin CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez and designer Andrea Zagato. The pair discussed the problem while sharing judging roles at the 2001 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The prototype was shown in August 2002, with the first lucky customers seeing cars in the fall of 2003 on this very limited run of only 100. The DB7’s beautiful form features side vents, shoulder lines, a grill, and headlights that are all telltale Aston Martin, plus the signature “double bubble” roof contour found on most Zagato cars. The DB7 is powered by a 5.9-liter V12 normally-aspirated engine running through a six-speed manual transmission. Its outstanding performance is partially due to the 130 pounds shaved by the alloy body hand-built by Zagato, but also aided by the upgraded suspension and brakes. A modern car worthy of the DB in its name… David Brown, the longtime owner of Aston Martin, should be pleased.
