Last weekend saw the launch of the Maserati GS Zagato at the prestigious Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza on the shores of Lake Como in Cernobbio, Italy. The unveiling represented Zagato’s third new car to be unveiled this year, and it was exactly one year ago at the same event when the Milanese coachbuilder unveiled the stunning Ferrari 575 GTZ.

Based on the shorter Maserati GranSport Spyder platform, the compact and fresh-looking coupe was developed for Paolo Boffi, owner of the famous and exclusive Boffi kitchen company. Paolo Boffi’s contemporary and luxurious kitchen designs, which can be seen in Boffi’s showroom in the Brera district of Milan (which itself was busy last week for the Salone di Mobile) certainly give a clear indication towards this particular customer’s taste.

The clear-cut form language from the Boffi kitchens, with fresh and simple shapes, can be easily linked to the bodywork of the Maserati GS. After the first sketches by Norihiko Harada, Zagato’s Automotive Chief Designer, a total project turn-around time of only three months was achieved, which according to Zagato is normal procedure within their advanced workshops at Via Arese.

As with any project based on an existing car, a number of hard points had to be retained for homologation purposes. This included the front windscreen, which as because it was sourced from a Spyder incorporates the radio antenna. The biggest changes have naturally occurred on the outside, with each body panel being entirely new. The compact Spyder platform also provides a smaller coupe shape than the standard Maserati 2+2, which has recently been replaced with the larger GranTurismo. From the front, the Maserati GS Zagato draws on the classic A6 G Zagato, with a delicately shaped oval grille.
 

This is complete with full detailing also incorporating the traditional oval around the famous Maserati badge. The most distinctive elements from the three-quarter view are the chiselled flanks which drop sharply around the side of the car. This combined with the generally organic shape offers an interesting and dynamic styling solution.

At the side the car is characterised by very clean flanks and a “Coke Bottle” wave. The roof is Zagato’s double-bubble trademark solution, and the DLO (daylight opening) presents a similar theme as to what was introduced on the Ferrari 575 GTZ. The rear of the GS Zagato is very rounded and understated, with small lighting clusters, simple exhaust terminals and minimal detailing. The rear has a high stance generated by the generous rake of the rear bumper, and the rear window. Inside the car remains largely untouched, however there are a number of small detail changes which aim to give the interior a Zagato finish.

A maximum of nine units are scheduled for production, however Zagato also mention that another surprise coachbuilt special is scheduled for a launch later in the year. Also present at the Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza was the Zagato Diatto Ottovù, which could be admired by the public in the open for the first time.

By James Granger