Aston Martin confirms limited production of the V12 Zagato

Aston Martin on Thursday confirmed that it will put the gorgeous V12 Zagato into production.

The handmade exotic will have a limited run of 150 examples, with prices from about $527,000, converted from British pounds.

Earlier this year, the Aston Martin V12 Zagato won an award for design in the Concepts and Prototypes class at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on the shores of Italy's Lake Como, then it completed the Nürburgring 24-hour race.

Aston Martin says there is more than enough interest from customers to confirm production.

Orders are now being taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Production is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2012.

The V12 Zagato uses a 6.0-liter engine to produce 510 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. The panels are made of handcrafted aluminum and carbon fiber. Aston Martin says each panel is formed using an English wheel and traditionally crafted body bucks. The Zagato influence can be seen in the double-bubble roof created from five separate pieces of material.

The car was created to pay homage to the Zagatos of the past, specifically the DB4GT Zagato, which was created 50 years ago.

"The original DB4GT Zagato was a true icon, powerful and graceful," Aston Martin director of design Marek Reichman said. "The new design is a true representation of the sprit of the DB4GT Zagato. The muscular, organic forms define the thoroughbred nature of the car's racing potential."