Back in August 2013 there was a rumor started about Zagato preparing a very special car for the 2014 Geneva Auto Show using the Aventador as a basis this renowned Italian styling house based in Milan would unveil a V12 with the traditional Zagato style in Switzerland but an Aventador Zagato didn’t show up in March 2014.
Fast forward to May 2014 and the famous Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este where Zagato celebrates their 95th Anniversary with a very special car: the Lamborghini 5-95, a one-off Zagato creation based on the Lamborghini Gallardo built to order for Albert Spiess, a genuine Lamborghini collector that already owns several very important models made in Sant’Agata.
The Zagato name has been related to Automobili Lamborghini SpA before, even back to the days when the Sant’Agata company was just getting started back in 1965 the first rebodied Lamborghini was created by Zagato, the very special 3500 GTZ was built on commission for Marquis Gerino Gerini (who was an F1 pilot). In fact Zagato received two shortened Lamborghini 350GT chassis in 1965, after the first 3500GTZ was unveiled at the London Motor Show a second order was received from Dani Gambirasi, cousin of Giuseppe Pesenti, at that time Head of Lancia only two 3500 GTZ would be built.
It would take another 30 years before Lamborghini and Zagato would be mentioned in the same sentence again with the unveil of the Lamborghini Raptor at the 1996 Geneva Auto Show using innovative CAD/CAM systems Zagato managed to turn a Diablo VT into their Raptor in a matter of only four months. There were intentions of building a limited production run of the Lamborghini Raptor but in the end only one was ever built it did however open the doors for Zagato to design the long awaited Lamborghini Diablo successor.
By 1999 Zagato created a few prototypes for a Lamborghini L147 Canto, also called the Super Diablo, showing a very round design with massive air intakes to cool the enlarged V12 engine, the design was rejected and in the end Belgian designer Luc Donckerwolcke would create the stunning Murciélago to take over the reign from the Diablo.
One more styling effort would emerge from Zagato Milano: the Lamborghini LM003 Borneo, a successor to the legendary LM002 off-road Bull, but that project was also canceled and any collaboration between Zagato and Lamborghini was put on hold for years to come.
Interior & Exterior Design
In May 2014 the names Zagato and Lamborghini once again joined together in the shape of the very special 5-95 custom built car, a commissioned build using the Gallardo LP570-4 to create an original design combining functionalism and rationalism to create an instant classic. The Gallardo was chosen because it has been the most successful Lamborghini ever the Lamborghini 5-95 Zagato will become the centerpiece in the collection of Albert Spiess.
The Lamborghini 5-95 shows a floating front spoiler inside a bonnet that is clearly totally new and very round shaped, continuous glass wraps around the front and sides of the cockpit while the ‘double bubble’ roof received an intake feeding fresh air directly into the engine compartment while the rear shows the typical Zagato ‘chopped off’ tail section.
Zagato kept the four exhaust pipes at the rear, slightly rearranged the layout and installed two large round taillights with the typical LED layout and a very nice detail in the center the stylish Zagato ‘Z’.
Response to the Lamborghini 5-95 Zagato at the 2014 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este has been mixed, not everybody likes the nautical style on this Lamborghini while others praise it for being different and unique whichever opinion you might have, you have to admit it is different.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | 5.2L V10 |
| Power | 570 hp (419 kW) |
| Torque | 398 lb-ft (540 Nm) |
| Transmission | 6-speed E-Gear automated manual |
| Drivetrain | All-wheel drive |
| 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) | 3.4 seconds (estimated) |
| Top Speed | 202 mph (325 km/h) |
| Weight | 3,042 lbs (1,380 kg) – estimated based on LP570-4 |
| Chassis and Body | Aluminum spaceframe, Zagato-designed bodywork |
| Suspension | Double wishbone front and rear |
| Brakes | Ventilated carbon-ceramic disc brakes |
