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I often think about what makes a car truly special. Sometimes it’s the brand itself, other times rarity plays a part. Often it’s the genius of a designer that brings every element together.
When you look at a car like the Aston Martin Valour, everything is special - every surface, every little design touch has levels of craftsmanship that are easy to see.
Audi created a terrific car when they designed the first Q5, and as you’ll read later, they just keep improving it.
The Fiat 500 is an iconic design and has now been completely re-engineered in electric form while remaining true to the original car.
Some car makers almost intuitively know how to build cars that just make you feel good behind the wheel. I consider us very lucky that so many of the brands we work with do just that. Please enjoy reading about a few of them here.
Bobby Zagame
Managing Director, Zagame Group
In this issue
ASTON MARTIN VALOUR
Only for the brave. And the very few.
Look at the Aston Martin Valour and you’ll know – in an instant – that for some companies making cars isn’t just a business.
The limited production Aston Martin Valour is made with a level of craftsmanship that’s only possible with the most skilled of human hands. It’s passion that drives that kind of thinking.
The attention to detail in every little part of the car’s design is equal parts art and science. Needless to say, both professions were having a very, very good day at the office.
Inside, the future meets Aston Martin’s illustrious past resulting in a driver’s environment that must be seen to be truly appreciated. The highlight is possibly the most perfect gear lever ever installed in a car. Yes, the Aston Martin Valour is a manual.
Up front, the Twin Turbo V12 delivers more than 715 metric horsepower (525kW). This is a drivetrain for the serious driver.
The Valour is also surprisingly light thanks to the aircraft-style bonded aluminium chassis and carbon fibre bodywork. Even the brakes save weight. The carbon ceramic rotors weigh 23kg less than the alternatives.
The Valour was made to celebrate 110 years of Aston Martin. Only 110 will be made.
It’s still unclear whether ‘Valour’ is a nod to the bravery of the driver, or to Aston Martin themselves for making a car like this as the world moves to electrification. For now, they’ve obviously decided to electrify the driver instead.
As Motor Trend in the USA said: “This V12, 6-speed manual Aston Martin is a heroic special edition for the ages.”
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AUDI Q5 PLUG-IN HYBRID
Adding another string to Audi's bow.
The Audi Q5 might just be the perfect car for many, many people. Not too big, not too small. High level of luxury. The right amount of practicality. It’s always been good value too.
Now that the new Audi Q5 55 TFSIe Plug-in Hybrid is here, it takes the idea of the perfectly balanced option to a whole new level. The plug-in hybrid drivetrain allows most urban dwellers in Australia to commute without ever starting the engine (Which happens seamlessly and automatically if the battery runs down or you need more power). On a full charge, in pure electric mode, you can travel up to 55km. So the Q5 Hybrid’s running costs are extraordinarily low.
The Q5 Plug -in Hybrid balances battery weight and range with aplomb. The battery size is perfectly judged so you’re not carting around an overly heavy battery that’s not required.
But it gets better. The two engines combine to make the Audi Q5 Plug-in Hybrid very powerful when you want it to be. The 105kW electric motor and 195kW petrol engine combine to power a 0-100km/h time of just 5.3 seconds. All with an average fuel consumption of just 2 litres per 100km.
So performance and economy are in perfect balance too. Maybe you should take a test drive. You might find the Audi Q5 Hybrid is just right.
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FERRARI DEALER AWARD
Congratulations to Ferrari Melbourne.
We are very proud to announce Ferrari Melbourne has just been recognised as the Ferrari Global Aftersales Dealer of the Year at the annual Ferrari Dealer Awards Ceremony, held last week at Teatro Del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in Italy.
Recognised for an on-going commitment to first-class customer service across the Service and Parts department, the award is testament to our team and their passion for the Ferrari brand and their clients.
The award itself is an amazing Ferrari 296 GTS engine, which will soon take pride of place in the Ferrari Melbourne showroom.
Awards are never what we strive for but they are valued recognition for the hard work and dedication a team puts in. Please join us in congratulating Paul Cruse, our Aftersales Manager, and the entire Ferrari Melbourne Aftersales team on this outstanding achievement.
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MELBOURNE EV SHOW
The atmosphere was electric. So were the cars.
Zagame’s brands were among the highlights at the first Melbourne EV Show held recently. This EV-focussed motor show a was great opportunity for people to not only see what the future might look like, but also sample the cars already available.
Almost every car Zagame had on display is available right now. The all-electric Cupra Born turned heads with its dramatically purposeful style and performance oriented driving experience.
Unsurprisingly, the all-new, all-electric Fiat 500e was loved by virtually everyone who saw it. In its first public showing in Australia we were able to reveal the all new Abarth 500e as a last minute addition to the stand, and a clear favourite among visitors to the show.
Audi’s astounding electric range was also on display, with models including the RS e-tron GT and Q8 55 e-tron. One guest even lamented the lack of Autobahns nearby for a test drive.
A highlight of the show for many were the two new McLaren Arturas on display. This supercar has the option of a fully-electric drive experience for commuting in the inner-city on battery power alone. Yet, when the V6 and electric motor operate in harmony, the performance is other-worldly – and quite literally, delivers the best of both worlds.
The same could also be said of the Alfa Romeo Tonale SUV. Its hybrid - drivetrain also liberates substantially more performance, with drastically reduced emissions.
For many, the show was a great reminder that many of the innovations we’ve been looking forward to are already here – and for sale – right now. The entire Zagame Team were proud to contribute to the first Melbourne EV Show experience.
LAMBORGHINI 60TH BIRTHDAY
Celebrations rage for the raging bull.
2023 marks the 60th Birthday of Lamborghini. It’s a major milestone for the brand and we’re celebrating in Australia with a number of events and special releases taking place across the year.
We recently hosted a lunch at The Stokehouse to help mark the occasion and outside the venue, iconic V12s from the 1960s right up to the Aventador formed a guard of honour as guests arrived.
A highlight of the event was revealling a specially commissioned artwork by acclaimed Australian artist Vincent Fantauzzo. For those unaware of Vincent’s fame, he’s won the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize twice, and the people’s choice at the Archibald an incredible 4 times.
What many may not know, Vincent is also an avid car enthusiast with a long-held passion for the car as an art form. His painting of the 2023 Countach - created especially for the brand's 60th anniversary - captures that passion perfectly.
We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Lamborghini Melbourne Service, Parts and Sales teams. Their passion for the brand has created its success in Australia, and laid the foundation for the next 60 years.
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PRAGA R1
The track day toy turns pro.
This is the Praga R1. Zagame are now the Australian partner for this innovative brand, bringing new levels of excitement to drivers.
Forget all you know about cars built for the track. And maybe most of what you know about physics too. This car is designed on every level to help you find and push the limits of what’s possible.
The Praga weighs just 643kg. That’s less than half the weight of most road cars. The reliable turbocharged 2 litre engine develops 272kW in standard tune. Which doesn’t seem outrageous until you remember the weight.
This power to weight ratio makes the Praga R1 breathtakingly fast. And we haven’t even mentioned the levels of downforce that a driver can exploit. At track speeds, the Praga is aerodynamically glued to the track. This allows the driver to brake later, corner harder and achieve track times comparable to an open-wheeler. Yet, you have the comfort and safety of a monocoque cabin.
The Praga is also designed to be easily tuned and maintained and to be more affordable than anything comparable for the weekend racecar driver. Better still, the incredibly capable team at Zagame Autosport do everything for you.
That makes a Praga an extraordinary ownership experience too – not just when you’re behind the wheel.
Talk to Rod Wilson at Zagame Autosport if you’d like to know more about the ownership packages available.
FIND OUT MOREFIAT - NO MORE GREY
Fiat ban the dull and lifeless
Vibrant. Colourful. Stylish. Alive. In a list of adjectives describing Italy, dull and grey don’t get a look in.
So FIAT has decided to stop building grey cars altogether. Yes, grey paint will never be found in a FIAT factory again. And Fiat owners will feel just a little brighter because of it.
FIAT believe that cars should make us feel alive. They should make us smile. They should be driven with brio and embody la dolce vita.
We think it’s great that a brand like FIAT is happy to stand for something - to stand apart and go their own way. Which is very Italian when you think about it.
It’s a fun marketing idea from Fiat and they announced it to the world with a lot of style.
Now, it’s worth pointing out for those with a penchant for grey cars, Zagame Fiat do have just a few left in stock!
In the meantime, roll on summer, sunshine, and all the colours that make it a joy.
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BEHIND THE WHEEL - NEW FIAT 500E
Behind the wheel - Fiat 500e
We’ve just been driving an electric car that provides a quantifiably better option than many petrol-powered alternatives available. It’s faster, quieter, smoother, more comfortable and easier to drive. And as for soul? Well, just look at it!
At first glance, you might assume the FIAT 500e was made by placing a battery and electric motor into the existing FIAT 500. That’s how brilliantly the Fiat design philosophy has been integrated with the latest technology.
But the 500e was a clean sheet design exercise – with every aspect of the new car’s design optimised and packaged for the electric drivetrain. The car’s platform is new, the suspension is new, the interior is new. Frankly it’s easier just to say it’s ‘all new’.
The 500e is marginally bigger in every dimension than the 500 that preceded it. That’s especially obvious inside. The central binnacle display in front of the driver is brilliant. The information is easy to read, pin sharp, and readily customisable with the buttons on the wheel.
Design aside, this is one of the best-handling and well-calibrated electric cars we’ve yet driven. Most impressively, it doesn’t feel ‘leaden’ like some cars can. Its alive and very responsive. The 500e’s smaller, lighter battery pack pays dividends in the way the car drives. It’s sprightly, agile and fun.
This is a small car with big talents. And a big personality too. Driving it, you can’t help but feel good. And comfortable. And safe too. Mainly the driver feels connected both to the car, and the road.
We’d urge anyone to take a test drive. You may just end up a convert.
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Brabus. When 4WD just isn't enough.
Pictured is one of Brabus' latest creations, the XLP 800 6x6 Adventure. It’s 6WD. Which means it’s basically unstoppable. Although it can stop traffic.
It might be a little hard to tell, but Brabus begin with a Mercedes-Benz G63 then proceed to upgrade virtually everything. The most noticeable change (apart from the two extra driven wheels) is the ride height. Portal axles – made possible by a set of gears inside each wheel’s suspension structure – raise the ground clearance to almost half a metre. The view all around isn’t just commanding, it’s next level.
When it comes to your customisation options, the only limits are your imagination and your budget.
The XLP 800 isn't confirmed for Australian as yet, but if you’re as adventurous as Brabus, perhaps you need to talk to the team at Zagame about the current range.
Explore Your Options at Zagame
FIND OUT MOREJust Arrived
Here's just two of the new models that have arrived at Zagame recently.
BENTLEY BENTAYGA EXTENDED WHEEL BASE
AUDI Q8 ETRON
