Geneva 2009: Official Zagato Perana Z-One

Zagato is a Italian coachbuilder and design house steeped in tradition. Most of the time, the vehicles they produce wear another manufacturer's badge and are Zagato's interpreration of a specific model. With the Perana Z-One, Zagato is creating it's own, self-branded vehicle.

While it's own creation (and self-branded) the Perana Z-One is a result of the design houses's collaboration with a South African performance and production company, Perana Performance Group.

The proportions are perfect, helping to lend the V8 sportscar a perfect 50/50 weight distribution. While good looking, it's not particularly unique in the world of automotive design.

I'm thinking more along the lines of the original Anteros (a coachbuilt vehicle based on the Corvette). To my eyes at least, this isn't a truly Italian design. The clean flow of lines is interupted by the business of the fender vents. To me it's just not a jaw-dropper.

The rear end tells a different story. I stand by my previous assessment that this angle is by far the car's best view. It has a great stance and the lines work together very well. I like the rear a lot, in fact.

While Zagato isn't my favorite of the Italian design houses (let's be honest, they've designed some bizzare stuff) they are capable of great things. In my opinion, this car is the best example of what Zagato can do:

That's the Spyker C12 Zagato, a truly amazing and beautiful design in any sense of the word. I encourage you to check it out further, you'll be inclined to agree.

But regardless of my stance on the design, there's no questioning the Zagato Perana Z-One looks to be a screaming deal. Word still has it that the price will be around 50,000 euros, translating to roughly £44,309.75 GBP and $62,716.89 USD at current exchange rates. Wow! That's not much higher then the price of a Corvette.

An powerful car by a famed Italian design house for that kind of money? I supect Zagato will have no trouble selling out it's planned 999 unit production run. How they plan to turn a profit? Now that's a different story.....