AGTZ Twin Tail: Two Models in One

Squadra and Zagato join forces to imagine the new AGTZ Twin Tail. A model inspired by its history and redefining the codes of automotive design as we knew it until now. Portrait. It was in the historic workshop of the Zagato brand, in Milan, that the new AGTZ Twin Tail was unveiled to the public. A car directly inspired by the A200 model from the 1960s, but unequivocally set in the present, if not the future. What makes this new model special? A removable body at the tail allows transforming the car in a single gesture, depending on its use, and the desires of its driver. Drivers will only number 19, as the car is produced in this very limited number of examples. Just days after its launch, already half of the vehicles were purchased, for the modest sum of 650,000€ excluding tax. A glance at a collectible piece that is very much of its time.

To imagine this new model, the source of inspiration was identified: the A220 model, designed in the 1960s. A car with the looks of a Hollywood star, as described by the brand, but which fails to prove itself on the tracks. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, it fails, prompting the brand's designers to revise its bodywork. The result? A car shortened by 30 centimeters at the rear, making it lighter and finally securing podiums in rallies and shorter races. The AGTZ Twin Tail then draws its inspiration not only from its appearance but also from its astonishing history, that of a car simply reimagined by shortening it. The collaboration between Zagato and La Squadra does not hesitate to revisit this model in a "theatrical" manner, making use of their dual expertise. The A110 Berlinette model is thus transformed into a GT car that pushes the limits of bodywork, with a removable rear according to desire. "As a new dawn looms for the world of the automobile, the public wants to remember the past, and thus the epic cars of the 1950s and 1960s. The stories of iconic cars that have marked history must be told today. It is a crucial task that we must fulfill if we wish to inspire future generations to write their own stories. Without knowing the past, it is impossible to invent the future," declared Andrea Zagato, grandson of Ugo Zagato, founder of the brand.

The real innovation in the AGTZ Twin Tail GT car lies in the design of its rear. The experts from Zagato and La Squadra then envisioned a model that could morph according to the desires of its driver. Termed an "artwork" by the teams behind its design, the rear of the car is enhanced with a long tail that brings a sleek and elongated elegance to the car, which can be removed to make way for a short rear with a muscular look. A true innovation in the field of bodywork that will allow the 19 future owners of the AGTZ Twin Tail to change the look of their car in the blink of an eye, but also to adapt its ergonomics to the use they want to make of it. Here again, the history of Zagato is at the center of everything. In a single model, the designers have managed to recreate, in a contemporary version, both the original race car and its transformation that would result from its failure at Le Mans. A remarkable advancement for the world of bodywork that turns the car's envelope into a work of art in its own right. The challenge for the AGTZ Twin Tail? To combine in a single model the identity of a racing car while making it suitable for daily use, on the streets of the world's capitals or those of more secluded countryside. However, from a design and conception standpoint, Zagato did not intend to create a racing car. The idea was to pay a purely visual homage to the A220 by adapting it to a Gran Turismo car. "The goal of the coachbuilders was to offer the automotive design world alternative languages. The aesthetics of a rounded rear, or conversely truncated and shortened, has always been part of the design ethic of our brand for its Gran Touring models. With the AGTZ Twin Tail, we produce a car that consistently fits into our heritage," explained Andrea Zagato. Jakub Pietrzak, founder of La Squadra, then added, "The automotive industry is changing faster than ever. With the constant introduction of new technologies, nostalgia is on the rise, inviting us to seek inspiration in the past to advance our ideas towards the future.”

For the founders of Zagato and La Squadra, the current world of auto racing is constantly evolving. Exponential progress makes it harder to distinguish between models, their performance, and their driving sensations. According to them, it is this mechanical progress that makes design a major point of divergence between brands. To stand out, it is no longer enough to create powerful engines, as they all become powerful. It is then necessary to be able to make a difference through design, putting coachbuilders and their skills in the spotlight. Differentiation will also be made at the level of the body colors. Indeed, future drivers will have the opportunity to personalize their car, which will present itself to them as a blank canvas on which to explore their style and personality. A significant detail that increases even more the unique character of the AGTZ Twin Tail, already among the most exclusive. "Design is going to become increasingly important, allowing coachbuilders to be put in the spotlight and to propose projects that will distinguish the most daring brands from others. Here we pay tribute to an iconic brand with a rich heritage. In a world where social networks play an important role, I already dream of seeing the car in the streets of Tokyo, at Le Mans, and on the roads of the English countryside. I am particularly looking forward to discovering it on the shores of Lake Como next May," mentioned the press Jakub Pietrzak, founder of La Squadra. A first road outing is planned in Italy for the car with two faces, while the 19 buyers will be able to get behind the wheel of this vehicle inscribed between past and present starting next October. Regarding the power of the car and its engine, speculation is still rife. However, considering the brand's previous models, it's easy to imagine the AGTZ Twin Tail is equipped with an engine of at least 250 horsepower, adopting the technical characteristics of the A110 from which it draws inspiration. More details are to come during its first official outing in Como in May 2024.