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2013 Perana Z-One [w/video]

Michael Harley — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Specialty

A Red In Tooth And Claw Throwback

Regardless of whether or not one considers its physical appearance attractive, the Perana Z-One breaks necks everywhere it goes.

I piloted this metallic burgundy coupe down a main thoroughfare in car-centric Orange County - these are people who see exotics daily - and everyone gawked as if the two-seater were covered in blinking high-intensity strobe lights. While the exhaust is loud enough to disturb those driving with mobile phones stuck to their faces, it's not just the acoustic concussion drawing their attention; the Perana's extraordinarily long nose, aggressive wide stance and massive rear clip tell everyone that this is something special.

After less than an hour behind the wheel, I had interacted with more than a dozen strangers about the alluring Z-One. Some yelled to me at traffic lights, more than a few waved from the curb, and then there was a car full of high school kids who chased me down and encircled me in a parking lot. The attention the Perana commanded was nothing short of astounding.

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2013 Perana Z-One [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Perana Z-One resurfaces with AC badge as 378 GT Zagato

Noah Joseph — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:33:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, MISC

We haven't heard much about Perana in quite some time, but not nearly as long as it's been since the name AC last came up on our radar screen. The progenitor of the iconic Shelby Cobra, AC Cars is one of those great many British sportscar manufacturers that has long since disappeared into obscurity. There has been talk here and there of reviving the marque with a new model, but none of that seems to have materialized. Until now. Sort of.

Perana, as you may recall, is (or was) the name of an upstart automaker producing a devastatingly beautiful sportscar called the Z-One penned by no less accomplished a design house than Zagato. Now, the design (or, at least, what appears to be the same design) has resurfaced under the AC badge.

Called the 378 GT Zagato, the AC-ified Z-One is apparently being produced on the same line in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, where the Perana was, and where, incidentally, some Noble models are, as well. The numeric nameplate is taken from the cubic-inch displacement of the 6.2-liter V8 engine.

It's certainly not the first time Zagato has designed for an established British marque, the production version of the V12 Zagato it designed for Aston Martin having been unveiled as this one was being announced at the other end of the Geneva Palexpo. AC and Zagato also collaborated on a one-off Bristol variant back in 1957, a model that is scheduled to be showcased alongside the new 378 GT at Pebble Beach later this year where AC will be the featured marque two years after the Z-One made its U.S. debut on the very same manicured lawns.

That's not where the collaboration is expected to end, however, as a roadster based on the same platform but featuring more Cobra-like bodywork is next in the pipeline. We're not sure where that leaves Perana, but we'll be watching to see where this goes. In the meantime you can see the full press release and spec sheet below, with high-res images (including some deliciously retro color schemes) in the gallery above.

Continue reading Perana Z-One resurfaces with AC badge as 378 GT Zagato

Perana Z-One resurfaces with AC badge as 378 GT Zagato originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Perana Z-One finally enters production

Noah Joseph — Sun, 15 May 2011 13:07:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing

Perana Z-One - Click above for high-res image gallery

Zagato's been keeping busy, what with the TZ3 Stradale, a new Aston Martin, and the rumored Fiat 500 coupe. Now, PistonHeads reports that another another sexy Zagato-bodied sports car can join the party. The Perana Z-One has finally reached production, with UK deliveries set to commence.

The Z-One, as you might recall, debuted in March 2009 at the Geneva Motor Show, where it stole the spotlight. The custom chassis was reportedly set up by Lee Noble - the same talent behind a variety of cottage-industry sportscars wearing names like Ultima, Ascari, Rossion, Fenix and, of course, Noble. Powered by a442-hp GM LS3 V8, it's bound for these shores as well, with the order book now open - though precisely when we'll begin receiving deliveries remains to be seen.

Perana Z-One finally enters production originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 May 2011 13:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monterey 2010: Perana Z-One makes U.S. debut

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:06:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Design/Style, Luxury

Perana Z-One - Click above for high-res image gallery

Monterey has seen its share of debuts and this year stays true to form. We've already seen the unveilings of the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, the new Boss 302 Mustang, the Infiniti G25, Jaguar XKR175, and McLaren MP4-12C. It doesn't end there, either. Tucked among the exotica at Concorso Italiano was the new Zagato-styled, Hi-Tech-built and Superfomance-sold, Perana Z-One sports/GT.

It's beautiful. And the build quality is exquisite. The panel gaps put all the high-priced Italian vehicles surrounding it to shame. The styling is definitely that of a European GT, a shape that holds its own in the company of an Alfa Romeo 8C, Aston Martin or a Ferrari 599. With that Corvette engine under its long nose, however, it's reminiscent of classic Italian/Amercan collaborative sports car efforts from companies like DeTomaso, Iso and Bizzarrini.

We weren't alone in being smitten by this new $100,000 sports car either. It was mobbed all day, even amidst the dazzling variety from the likes of Lamborghini and Maserati. We're hoping to arrange some seat time on the Perana Z-One, but for moment, feast your eyes on the gallery below and you'll understand why we see big things in this vehicle's future.

Gallery: Perana Z-One

Monterey 2010: Perana Z-One makes U.S. debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. Spec Perana Z-One to debut at 2010 Concorso Italiano

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:25:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Luxury

Perana Z-One - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Zagato Perana Z-One debuted in Geneva in March of 2009, a custom-built, limited-production, Corvette-powered coupe with Italian styling by Zagato and slated to be built by South African manufacturing firm Hi-Tech. Up until now we weren't sure the rolling masterpiece would ever be sold in the States, but we've finally received word that Superformance has been named the exclusive U.S. distributor and that the American version will debut at the Concorso Italiano event this August. Apparently there was strong enough demand from American buyers to allocate 99 units per year to sales in the Colonies.

The Perana will be priced "under $100,000" and can be ordered with either the 436-horsepower E-rod LS3 or the 505-horsepower LS7 from the Z06. Either will be backed by a six-speed manual transmission and a ZF limited slip differential. There will be an available brake upgrade and color choices inside and out, but other than that, the options list will be short. Not that the car will be lacking in amenities. The cockpit is swathed in leather and Alcantara, and a navigation-equipped infotainment system will be standard. Besides the anticipated performance capabilities of this 2,800-pound GT, owners get exclusivity and a body designed by the same crew that brought us the Maserati GS, Ferrari 575 GTZ, Spyker C12, Diatto Ottovu and Bentley GTZ. We'll be sure to get as many pics as possible during our annual Monterey coverage next month. For now, check out the live and studio shots below.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Zagato Perana Z-One

Gallery: Zagato Perana Z-One

U.S. Spec Perana Z-One to debut at 2010 Concorso Italiano originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2009: Zagato's Perana Z-One is desire in motion

Noah Joseph — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 05:27:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Zagato Perana Z-One

Okay, okay. We'll admit it. The world doesn't need another sportscar. But then we don't really need anything beyond food, clothing and shelter. Everything else is desire, and the Zagato Perana Z-One definitely fits the mold... and fits it well. The Z-One's got the power (a 440hp 'Vette-sourced V8), the looks (styled by Milanese coachbuilder Zagato), the exclusivity (less than 1,000 units annually) at a competitive price (starting at 50k euros). To our eye, the South Africa GT is one of Zagato's best contemporary designs - following such recent examples as the Maserati GS, Ferrari 575 GTZ, Spyker C12, Diatto Ottovu and Bentley GTZ - but don't take our word for it: check it out in the galleries below. Details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Zagato Perana Z-One

Gallery: Zagato Perana Z-One

Continue reading Geneva 2009: Zagato's Perana Z-One is desire in motion

Geneva 2009: Zagato's Perana Z-One is desire in motion originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 05:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2009: Zagato releases full details, photos of Perana Z-One

Drew Phillips — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:54:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Supercars

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Zagato Perana Z-One

The pairing of Italian style and American power has always been a tantalizing combination, whether it was the Bertone/Corvette combination of the Iso Grifo in the 1960s or Ford's Cleveland V8 in the Detomaso Pantera in the early part of the next decade. Just last week Zagato previewed a modern rendition of this potent combo in the form of the Corvette-powered Parana Z-One that will make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show this week. We now have full details of the car, and the specifications are drool-worthy: 440 horsepower from an LS3 V8, a curb weight of just 1195 kg, and 0-100 km/h in less than four seconds. This comes wrapped in a beautiful Zagato-designed body, all at a fairly affordable price of just 50,000 Euros. The car will be built by the Perana Performance Group in South Africa at a rate of no more than 999 cars per year. Follow the jump for the press release from Zagato, and check out the gallery below for new high-res photos.

Gallery: Zagato Perana Z-One

[Source: Zagato]

Continue reading Geneva 2009: Zagato releases full details, photos of Perana Z-One

Geneva 2009: Zagato releases full details, photos of Perana Z-One originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zagato prepares Perana Z-One for Geneva

John Neff — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Supercars

Click above for high-res gallery of Zagato Perana Z-One renderings

It appears that the Geneva Motor Show will be ignoring this whole global recession thing, as automakers are using the Swiss show en masse to debut exciting new vehicles and concepts. Zagato popped up this morning with its own surprise, the Perana Z-One. The Italian design house has hooked up with South Africa's Perana Performance Group to build the Perana Z-One, of which 999 units will be produced. There are conflicting reports on the price, which range from 50,000€ to 90,000€, but other specifications are set in stone. The Perana Z-One will be powered by a 6.2L LS3 V8 from General Motors producing at least 440 horsepower and a 0-62 mph time for the car of less than four seconds. That icon of American mechanical engineering will be shrouded in a sexy coupe body style that blends a bit of Ferrari's Italian flare with some sinister Shelby Cobra styling cues, then pours an Aston Martin aesthetic over the whole thing. All we have are these high-resolution renderings at the moment, but soon we'll be on the ground in Geneva to bring you live pics of what the Perana Z-One looks like in person.

Gallery: Zagato Perana Z-One

[Source: Zagato]

Zagato prepares Perana Z-One for Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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