Any time an automaker celebrates its 100th birthday, you can expect pretty much a year's worth of festivities, including, but not limited to, the production of some pretty special one-off models.

Aston Martin->ke13 is taking that route and true to form, noted Italian design house Zagato, has joined in on the party.

The two companies have collaborated to build a pair of one-offs, including one based on the new DBS Coupe. It's called the DBS Coupe Zagato Centennial and it's rather astounding.

Norihiko Harada, Zagato’s chief designer, admitted to redesigning the DBS->ke1479 as a difficult job especially when it came with the pressure of a one-off model that's being developed to celebrate the British automaker's 100th anniversary.

To the credit of everyone involved in the project, the DBS Coupe->ke141 Zagato Centennial lives up to its exclusive designation. The coupe/fastback design of the car is a clear indication of its Aston Martin heritage while the double-bubble roof design and the flair by which its presented is true to form on what you'd expect with Zagato, especially the classic->ke503 models that the one-off is reminiscent of.

In the end, designing the DBS Coupe Zagato Centennial brings the sporty styling together of Zagato with the classic luxury->ke505 of Aston Martin. A job well done, if we do say so ourselves; something it's Japanese owner will more than likely approve of.

Click past the jump to read about the Aston Martin DBS

2013 Aston Martin DBS Coupe Zagato Centennial

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Aston Martin DBS Coupe Zagato Centennial
  • Engine/Motor: V12
  • Horsepower: 517
  • Torque: 420
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Aston Martin DBS

There’s no mistaking that when you see a car like the DBS, it’s an Aston Martin. There have been some notable changes since the DB4 of old; the front grille, for one, looks more athletic than in the past. The fenders are also more pronounced, presumably done to accommodate the set of 20s that the DBS rolls on. But for the most part, it still breathes the iconic soul of the DB lineage.

As far as performance is concerned, the new DBS produces a 6.0-liter V-12 engine that produces 517 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque to go with a 0-to-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph.