Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Sports/GTs, Geneva Motor Show, Supercars
Zagato reveals Diatto design
We brought you news a few days ago about Zagato's big plans to revive the long-dormant Diatto nameplate with an exclusive coachbuilt sportscar, and the Italian design house has now released an image of its creation. The Diatto Ottovu Zagato will be unveiled at the Geneva auto show in just a few weeks, powered by an anticipated supercharged V8 sourced from Maserati.
Diatto is one of those brands that history forgot, a century-old Italian carmaker that shut down in 1929. The company was founded in 1905, and on the occasion of its 100th anniversary, albeit two years late, two (evidently well-heeled) collectors commissioned Zagato to build them something special – an undertaking not unlike the Ferrari 575 GTZ, or the niche to which the overlords at Porsche would like to relegate Bugatti.
Like the previous 575 project, which recalled the iconic 250 GTZ, the Diatto Ottovu Zagato was realized to recall the coachbuilt motor-carriages Zagato re-bodied for Diatto some 85 years ago.
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Preliminary press release after the jump.
[Source: Zagato]
PRESS RELEASE
Diatto by Zagato - Ottovù Project
The Geneva motor show goes on - the by now classic tradition of passionate clients of exclusive car manufacturers, which has always stimulated the creativity of the Italian vehicle body makers and enhanced international motor shows.
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Diatto brand, two keen collectors turned to Zagato with the aspiration of resurrecting past collaboration. Way back in 1921, Ugo Zagato designed a lightweight and aerodynamic body for the Diatto 25 4DS chassis.
In 2007, the Milanese Atelier with its typically rationalist approach to a project, revamps, with a sporty note, the artistry of one of the most historical brands of the Italian automotive industry: Diatto.
Created in 1835 with a Perfected Wheel patent, Diatto made their first car in 1905 and often crossed paths with Zagato in their close collaboration with Ettore Bugatti, the Maserati brothers and Tazio Nuvolari.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
akintz 1:40PM (2/13/2007)
I'm not sure why... but the front end reminds me a little bit of a Corvette.
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Jason 1:47PM (2/13/2007)
A previous-model Santa Fe squished down into a sports car?
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Allen K. 1:49PM (2/13/2007)
Car looks like a mixture of an Ford Probe and a Jaguar. Not my cup of tea - and the rims and body don't mix well.
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fizzandpop 1:51PM (2/13/2007)
Well that's just a Jag rear and a Pontiac front. With a hint of Hyundai Tiburon.
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Adam 2:17PM (2/13/2007)
I think it looks good, musculer yet sexy.
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Jruhi4 2:20PM (2/13/2007)
It looks like an update of Bertone's Alfa Romeo Giulia SS (Sprint Speciale) circa 1963.
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W L Simpson 2:21PM (2/13/2007)
I,d trade my ol Stingray for that, if it was a Vette. It,s certainly prettier than the C6
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Howard Kerr 3:22PM (2/13/2007)
Sorry, I'll never believe this car is a Zagato design. It isn't quirky enough. No abrupt chop-off to the tail end, no exterior mirrors on stalks long enough to be useful when pulling a trailer, and it's not even RED for crying out loud. Heck, it's actually good looking, so nope, can't be a Zagato.
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BOB 3:26PM (2/13/2007)
Nice car, breaks no ground -- Zagato must be following what the investors wanted.
NOW -- someday, another real Zagato coupe, maybe? Something like the last RX-7, but Italian, with twin bulges in the roof.
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Vinny 3:42PM (2/13/2007)
Why did they get into cars? I love their restaurant guides.
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BOB 3:45PM (2/13/2007)
.... meant to add -- for those stumbling on the Italian names-- say 'em fast.
DIATTO == dee YACHT toe
OTTOVU (with accent on u) == ought toe VOO
ZAGATO == tsaw GOT toe
I am getting rusty (like an old Alfa) -- anyone who wants to send me to Italy for a brush-up course,and some good eating, please do!
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Colin Smith 4:34PM (2/13/2007)
It's a re-hash of the Fiat Coupe.
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yoma 5:26PM (2/13/2007)
Zagatos lost its edge.
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Andrew, aka Droo 6:10PM (2/13/2007)
Does anyone else think it looks like one of Chris Bangles old fugly Fiat Coups from the 90's with those slashes over the wheel arches?
Way too many things going on....Hyundai, Jag, TVR, hodge podge of all of them...
NEXT!!!!
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NoNameDenton 6:24PM (2/13/2007)
Reminds me of a mix between the Stingray and the Jag Xk, but I like it
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MGBYG 7:37PM (2/13/2007)
Smooth Ferraivette nose...
M-B Gullwing fender tack-on eyebrows.
Alfa DLO's with German-like narrow brightwork...
Sedan-like cross-section to the doors...
What a mess. Even though produced by a small firm, has a commitee-mishmash look.
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Brandon 8:47PM (2/13/2007)
I don't care what else it looks like... I'm always a fan of beautiful sportscars, and the fact that this one is one of a kind makes it that much cooler. What happened to some of you guys? Have you forgotten what it is like to just admire the beauty of a car? Do you have to find SOMETHING to complain about?
(impression)
::pushes nerd glasses up nose:: "EEEEeeeeee it looks like a Ferrari 612 squished with a Corvette, I hate the wheels, it sickens me. Why did they create this? No one desires it to be made. The guy should have just bought a (insert less exclusive bargain car here)."
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Geoff 4:05AM (2/14/2007)
I'm surprised nobody else has mentioned it, too me this is a rip-off of the Hyundia Coupe. Talk about copying one of the nastiest (not in a good way) looking cars around
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Spaceweasel 11:31AM (2/14/2007)
Who melted the front of my Jag?
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tom p 3:10PM (2/16/2007)
Am I looking at a modified 61 Corvette? There is very little unique or interesting about the Diatto from a design standpoint. It does not have any of the sex appeal of an Italian sports/touring car.
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