Lamborghini 5-95 Zagato

Italian design house Zagato has shown its latest custom design in Switzerland, a curious new beast dubbed the Lamborghini 5-95 Zagato.

The unusual-looking vehicle was commissioned by car collector Albert Spiess, and was shown for the first time at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este at Lake Como in Switzerland, and is named 5-95 to commemorate Zagato's 95th birthday.

As the photos show, the one-off Lamborghini Zagato is at odds with its donor cars angular aesthetic, relying on curves and organic lines to challenge the eye, as is Zagato tradition.

The exterior shell is made of aluminium to keep weight low and the rear end has been shortened to "increase the proportion of the front" according to Zagato. The outcome is a design that imparts "a sense of energy through fluid and organic surfaces that recall an animal's muscles as it is ready to leap forward" says the Italian workshop.

At the front the car appears to have gaping fish-like mouth with lateral 'gill' vents, while a centrally-mounted roof duct can be spotted behind the cockpit, designed to feed more air to the engine bay in tandem with the side ducts.

The rear is equally unconventional, dominated by large circular brake lights and the illusion of a narrow greenhouse thanks to the use of dark finishes and glass tints. Viewed from the side the car appears somewhat more conformist, it's donor car more easily identifiable.

According to Andrea Zagato, CEO of the Italian coach-builder, the Lamborghini Gallardo was chosen "because it is the most sensational project in Lamborghini's history".

"An extraordinary car, perfect in engineering terms, that has brought the image of 'the Bull' from a cottage industry to a worldwide major industrial reality," said Zagato, noting it's best-selling status.

Commissioned by Albert Spiess, who already has several bespoke Zagato vehicles in his extensive car collection, including a 1990 Alfa Romeo S.Z. and 1985 Aston Martin, the Lamborghini is a special creation, says the car buff.

"The 5-95 will be a fundamental piece of my collection," said Spiess. "I always appreciated the ability of Zagato to create timeless lines with a forceful visual impact.

"I believe that a sensual design inspired by nature, together with the best technology, strike a perfect balance that is possible to achieve only in Italy," opined the collector.

Other recent creations by Zagato include the Z4 Zagato and AC 378 GT Zagato.