Italian Coachbuilt Car of the Year 2007

In November Autodelta introduced its latest high-performance bespoke model, the Spider J6 3.2 C (3,863) and it was a clear winner of the Italiaspeed Coachbuilt Car of the Year 2007 award. Second place went to Milanese atelier Castagna’s unique interpretation of the Fiat 500 (3,402), while the limited-edition Maserati GS Zagato (1,743) collected third place.

Autodelta Spider J6 3.2 C
The J6 Spider is the most recent in the lineup of bespoke cars that Autodelta are developing based on the new Alfa Romeo premium range. The Spider 3.2 C (‘Compressore’) uses the same proven 3.2 V6 fitted with Rotrex supercharger as the Brera J5 3.2 C. The past year has seen a development programme together with technical partners, take to the most demanding circuits in Europe including Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps and the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The Spider J6 3.2 C also presents a new bodykit including a completely restyled front bumper, aerodynamic side skirts and rear diffuser. The 3.2 V6 engine now produces 348 bhp at 6200 rpm and 430 Nm of torque at 4500 rpm, with a top speed of 260 km/h and 0-100 km/h acceleration in 5.4 seconds. All of this power is relayed through the Spider's competent Q4 all-wheel drive system.

Fiat 500 by Castagna
Modifications include an elegant two-tone paint scheme, as well as wheel arch extensions and a tailgate spoiler. Other exterior features are 17" AEZ multispoke alloy wheels fitted with Pirelli PZero tyres. Inside the Castagna designers have trimmed the hard surfaces with soft Alcantara, whilst the dashboard can be opted with multiple finishes including carbon fibre. Castagna have also increased the boot capacity of the 500 by 50 litres and offer a tailor-made luggage set. Under the bonnet the Castagna 500 is fitted with a 1.4 16v supercharged engine with 0.4 bar boost, producing 155bhp and 170 Nm of torque @ 4500 rpm. Top speed is now over 200 km/h, whilst 0-100 km/h acceleration is reached under 10 seconds. Drilled disc brakes with Brembo callipers provide an increased braking power of 50%.

Maserati GS Zagato
Presented at the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza, the Maserati GS is based on the GranSport Spyder and proposes a line that evokes the historical Maserati A6 G Zagato model of 1954. The GS was commissioned by Paolo Boffi, well-known entrepreneur in the furnishing and luxury design sector. Due to the Spyder’s short wheelbase, plus the addition of Zagato's trademark ‘double-bubble’ roof, the GS provides excellent handling and stability, with extraordinary torsional rigidty. The body is completely handcrafted from aluminium in the Zagato Atelier, whereas the interior remains largely unchanged in order to remain functional. Only nice examples of the GS will be built for Zagato customers across the world.

Castagna Aznom
Based on Corvette Z06 running gear and inspired by the classic Corvettes of the 1950s, the Aznom uses FIA GT technology with three basic concepts: lightness, aerodynamics and mechanics. Aznom uses a 7.0 V8 engine with twin centrifugal turbochargers, producing 820 bhp at 6400 rpm and 980 Nm of torque at 3200 rpm. Maximum speed is over 350 km/h and 0-100 km/h acceleration takes 3.2 seconds when fitted with special compound tyres. The real innovation with the Aznom concept is to remove/integrate and reassemble the 84 structural carbon fibre components that make up the vehicle. The Aznom also has a removable Targa top and a 400-litre boot capacity.

Diatto Ottovù Zagato
Created on a party bespoke chassis, the 2+2 Diatto Ottovù coupe is fitted with a supercharged  Ford V8 engine tuned by Roush which develops approximately 500 bhp at the rear wheels. Performance is also highly impressive, with 0-100 km/h in under 4 seconds. The aluminium bodywork is typical of Zagato, including the trademark ‘double-bubble’ roof and short overhangs.

Spyker C12 Zagato
Designed for Dutch supercar manufacturer Spyker, the C12 Zagato is based on the C12 La Turbie. The mid-mounted 6.0-litre W12 engine is sourced from Audi, producing 500 bhp with 0-100 km/h acceleration in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 310 km/h. The car was scheduled to be built in a limited edition of 24 units, each costing €495,000 excluding taxes and each example taking 500 man hours extra to construct than the standard C12.

Italian Coachbuilt Car of the Year 2006
2006 saw the revival of the fabulous Italian tradition of coachbuilding with some spectacular results and the winner of the Coachbuilt Car of the Year section was the stunning Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina (6,255), which finished ahead of Autodelta’s road monster, the Brera J5 3.2 C (4,910), with Zagato’s Ferrari 575 GTZ (1,638) third.