OCTOVIEWS OF THE ALFA ROMEO ZAGATO TZ3s

The new Alfa Romeo Zagato TZ3 Stradale gets Vipered HOT WIRE—The TZ3 program managed by Zagato to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Alfa Romeo (1910-2010) ends with the delivery of the stunning, Dodge Viper-based TZ3 Stradale. The initiative started in 2009 with the manufacturing of the one off TZ3 Corsa, which won the Villa D'Este Design Concept Award in 2010. Now it’s followed by nine examples of the TZ3 Stradale.

Two different approaches for the same tribute Alfa designed the one off TZ3 Corsa as a tribute to the Alfa Romeo and Zagato racing heritage. On the other hand, Alfa designed the TZ3 Stradale as a tribute to Alfa’s and Zagato’s street legal heritage. With just nine examples of the Stadale and one of the Corsa, Alfa has a total of 10 collectible cars for the 100th anniversary of Alfa Romeo made by its most prolific contributor. The TZ3 Corsa is the latest celebration of the Alfa Romeo Zagato racing heritage, which includes the Alfa Corse (40s and 50s), Autodelta (60s and 70s), and Scuderia Zagato (80s and 90s). The TZ3 Stradale celebrates the road legal heritage of Alfa Romeo Zagato coupés such as the RLSS, 1500, 1750, 2300 and 2900 Zagato (20s and 30s), the 6C 2500 Panoramica, 1900 SSZ and the Giulietta SVZ (40s and 50s), the SZ, 2600 SZ, Giulia TZ and Junior Z (60s and 70s), and the S.Z. and R.Z. (80s and 90s).

The TZ3 Corsa is based on a mono shell carbon fibre chassis, coupled with a tubular frame and a handbeaten lightweight aluminium body. It's equipped with a front-central V8 90° 4.2 litres engine and 6-speed sequential gearbox. The TZ3 Stradale is based on the Viper ACR mechanical chassis with a carbon fibre body. "Bellezza necessaria" is the inspiration of this car which matches for the first time an USA power train and can represent the first American Alfa Romeo. Following Zagato's gentlemen-driver heritage, TZ3 Corsa has been commissioned by the Alfa Romeo Zagato collector Martin Kapp. The first TZ3 Stradale has been delivered to the US Alfa Romeo and Zagato collector (and Saratoga Automobile Museum's board member) Eric King. The TZ3 Stradale n°2 and n°3 will be delivered in Japan and Europe.

Both TZ3 Corsa and TZ3 Stradale boast a typical Kamm-tail (K-tail) layout. This solution became famous in Italy with the "Coda Tronca" bodies which were tested by Zagato in the beginning of the 60s. They reached their apex on the Alfa Romeo TZ and TZ2. Kamm Effect is part of the functional design approach that aims to the aerodynamic efficiency. According to this, the CX can be lowered by keeping compact volumes at the same time. The reduction of the wind resistance is assured with the Kamm Tail design, without any need of a very stretched "drop" shape of the tail. For more information, click here.