Automotive

Zagato presents the Mostro powered by Maserati

Zagato presents the Mostro powered by Maserati
The Zagato Mostro powered by Maserati debuts at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
The Zagato Mostro powered by Maserati debuts at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
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The 1984 Maserati Biturbo Spyder was powered by a 2.0-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder engine
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The 1984 Maserati Biturbo Spyder was powered by a 2.0-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder engine
The 1988 Karif was a special edition built on the same chassis as the Biturbo Spyder
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The 1988 Karif was a special edition built on the same chassis as the Biturbo Spyder
Maserati commissioned Zagato to build an aluminum skin for its V4 16-cylinder race car
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Maserati commissioned Zagato to build an aluminum skin for its V4 16-cylinder race car
The first Maserati 4CS to receive a Zagato body was chassis number 1517
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The first Maserati 4CS to receive a Zagato body was chassis number 1517
The Maserati A6 1500 Panoramica's shape was inspired by aircraft cockpits
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The Maserati A6 1500 Panoramica's shape was inspired by aircraft cockpits
Zagato introduced its version of the Maserati A6G/54 Gran Turismo car at the 1954 Turin Motor Show
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Zagato introduced its version of the Maserati A6G/54 Gran Turismo car at the 1954 Turin Motor Show
The one-off A6G/54 Spider was introduced at the 1955 Geneva Motor Show
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The one-off A6G/54 Spider was introduced at the 1955 Geneva Motor Show
The 450 S Coupé
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The 450 S Coupé
Maserati Biturbo Spider
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Maserati Biturbo Spider
Maserati Karif
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Maserati Karif
The 2007 GS Zagato never saw production due to a management change at Maserati
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The 2007 GS Zagato never saw production due to a management change at Maserati
Zagato presents the Mostro
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Zagato presents the Mostro
A clearly race-oriented interior
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A clearly race-oriented interior
Zagato plans to build 5 Mostros
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Zagato plans to build 5 Mostros
The Mostro was inspired by the 1957 450 S Coupé Zagato "Monster"
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The Mostro was inspired by the 1957 450 S Coupé Zagato "Monster"
The all-new Mostro is powered by a V8 engine
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The all-new Mostro is powered by a V8 engine
The Zagato Mostro powered by Maserati debuts at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
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The Zagato Mostro powered by Maserati debuts at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este
Zagato Mostro
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Zagato Mostro
Zagato Mostro rendering
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Zagato Mostro rendering
Zagato Mostro rendering
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Zagato Mostro rendering
Zagato Mostro sketch
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Zagato Mostro sketch
Zagato Mostro sketch
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Zagato Mostro sketch
Maserati V4
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Maserati V4
Maserati A6 1500 Panoramica
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Maserati A6 1500 Panoramica
Maserati A6G/54 Spider
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Maserati A6G/54 Spider
The Maserati 450 S Coupé appeared at last year's Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, where it was billed as the rarest of all Maseratis
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The Maserati 450 S Coupé appeared at last year's Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, where it was billed as the rarest of all Maseratis
Maserati Z6G/54 Zagato
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Maserati Z6G/54 Zagato
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Italy's annual Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is one of the biggest automotive events of the spring season, and each year new concepts and designs come out of the show. Italian design house Zagato has a history of coming out strong for the event, introducing designs like the Lamborghini 5-95 and Aston Martin V12 Zagato. This year it celebrates 100 years of Maserati with the stunning Mostro powered by Maserati.

Maserati threw down pretty hard for its 100th anniversary last year with events like its Goodwood Festival of Speed exhibit. The party is still going, and Zagato makes sure not to show up without a proper gift. Zagato's new car is meant as an homage to the 1957 Maserati 450 S Coupé Zagato "Monster" and a celebration of a working relationship with the trident that dates back to the early 1930s.

Back in 1957, Maserati commissioned Zagato to design coupé bodywork for the 450 S race car with the help of British aerodynamics virtuoso Frank Costin. Stirling Moss challenged the field of open barchettas in the 450 S at Le Mans that year, but an engine malfunction pushed him out of contention. The car was later purchased by an American buyer and transformed into a road car. According to Zagato, the 400-hp 450 S remained the world's most powerful front-engined race car into the 1990s.

Even if you're not learned in Italian, you've probably figured out that "mostro" means "monster". The new Zagato car shares the same race car-meets-road flair that underpinned the history of the original "monster". Its designers sought to recreate the process behind the 450 S coupé rather than simply penning a modern-day interpretation. They let aerodynamics again serve as a guide, creating a smooth, slippery form.

The all-new Mostro is powered by a V8 engine
The all-new Mostro is powered by a V8 engine

The Mostro shares a sense of front-dominated proportions with its spiritual predecessor, its long hood framed by swooping, three-dimensional fenders. The undersized cabin is pushed all the way back into the tail, creating a capsule-like cockpit accessed via a set of tall butterfly doors. The fixed glass side windows give Zagato the freedom it needs to build the unique doors. The wide windshield is positioned to increase visibility while allowing for a lower, wider cockpit, and the large fixed rear wing finishes off the aerodynamics package.

Below Zagato's carbon fiber bodywork, the car is planted on a carbon fiber monocell secured to a rear subframe and tubular steel mid-frame. The "powered by Maserati" title is fulfilled by a central-front V8 engine working in conjunction with the six-speed semi-automatic gearbox. The 19-in alloy wheels are rolled in 255/40 R19 front and 295/35 R19 rear tires and cushioned by double wishbones in front and back. Large discs provide stopping power.

More than just a one-off show car, the Mostro will be produced to the tune of five examples. Any new potential buyers will have to hope that one or more of those examples goes up for sale on the secondary market, however, as Zagato has already sold all five to dedicated collectors. Deliveries will begin this December.

You can see more photos and renderings of the Mostro in the gallery and check out a few of the other Maserati-Zagato collaborations from over the years.

Source: Zagato

View gallery - 27 images
2 comments
2 comments
Martin Hone
Beautiful....except for that ugly wing !
Stephen N Russell
Produce this, awesome, Id drive & rent this , need manumatic