The XII Villa D’Este Concours d’Elegance which took place in April 2010 gave way for Andrea Zagato to present the first step of his "Project TZ" with the 2010 Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa. This project was set in motion to honor 100 years of production and the long tradition of race Alfas with Zagato bodies. Fast forward to this year’s Pebble Beach Concours and Zagato is back with the second step of the "TZ Project", the Zagato TZ3 Stradale. The Stradale will be based on a 2010 Dodge Viper by utilizing its rolling chassis, engine, gearbox, suspension, etc. It is completely road legal, but will never get to see the production block.
The original TZ3 Corsa was originally built for German Alfa Romeo Zagato collector Martin Kapp while he was attending the Zandvoort Tribute. The Stradale is in no way related to the Corsa, except for the fact that they are both part of the "TZ Project." The TZ3 Stradale features a carbon fiber body with the same dimensions and weight of the Dodge Viper. It will be powered by a 4.2 liter V8 engine.
Before the car’s official debut at the Villa D’Este, Zagato has revealed the first details on the TZ3 Stradale, a vehicle that will be limited to only 9 units worldwide.
UPDATE 04/28/2011: This review has been updated with the official images and details. Hit the jump for the full details.
UPDATE 05/02/2011: The first video of the TZ3 Stradale has been released onto the internet featuring a small test drive of the latest Zagato model. Hit the jump for the video.
Exterior and Interior
The Zagato TZ3 has been built as a celebration of the Alfa Romeo’s centenary and is a tribute to the Alfa Romeo and Zagato street legal heritage, as was the one-off TZ3 Corsa. It features the Viper ACR’s mechanical chassis with a carbon fiber body placed over a tubular frame. It also gets the Kamm-tail (K-tail) layout found in the Corsa and made popular in the "Coda Tronca" bodies of the sixties.
The Alfa Romeo and Dodge thing may be a little confusing to some, but this is indeed a car that has borrowed elements from the Dodge Viper and transferred them over to a vehicle fit to carry the snakey badge. It uses "Bellezza necessaria" as inspiration and can be considered the first American Alfa Romeo.
Engine
Originally, the TZ3 Stradale was rumored to carry the Viper’s 8.4L V10 engine, but news from Zagato states that this limited production vehicle will be utilizing a front-central 4.2L V8 90° engine mated to a 6-speed sequential gearbox.
Prices
Zagato will only build nine units of the TZ3 Stradale, with the first three already sold to their lucky owners. The first unit was delivered to US Alfa Romeo and Zagato collector, Eric King, and the second and third units will find their way to owners in Japan and Europe. Pricing for the limited edition sports car has not been revealed, but we’re thinking that if you have to ask, then you can’t afford it.
Competition
The Zagato TZ3 Stradale is a unique car, built with the intention of eluding any competitors that find comfort in knocking it off its celebratory horse, but since there are only nine units, alternate sports cars are a must.
One vehicle closely related to the TZ3 Stradale is the Perana Z-one. This model is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine that develops 440 hp and sprints from 0 to 60 mph in about 4 seconds.
Another sports car with a power output similar to the Limited Stradake is the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S. It features a V8 engine with an output of 430 hp at 7,300rpm and 361 lb-ft of torque at 5,000rpm, with a top speed of 189 mph.
Impressive exterior look
Dodge Viper technology
Carbon fiber
Only 9 in the world
Very high price anticipated
Posted on
05.4.2011 @ 00:30