Zagato TZ3 Stradale Pays Tribute to Alfa Romeo with a Viper Chassis

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Zagato has taken the wraps off the new TZ3 Stradale, a month after it was confirmed that the car was being developed. The TZ3 Stradale is part of a celebration by Zagato to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Alfa Romeo.

Since the TZ3 Stradale is meant to pay tribute to Alfa Romeo, you would think that it woudl largely be based on an Alfa model, but instead the TZ3 Stradale is actually based on the Dodge Viper ACR with a carbon fiber body. “Bellezza necessaria” is the inspiration of this car which matches for the first time an American power train with an Alfa Romeo.

The first TZ3 Stradale was delivered to the US Alfa Romeo and Zagato collector Eric King. The next two will are headed to Japan and Europe. After that there will only be six examples left, since only nine are being built.

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PRESS RELEASE:

Zagato TZ3 Stradale

The “TZ3 program” managed by Zagato to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Alfa Romeo (1910-2010) ends with the delivery of the 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 and followed with nine (9) TZ3 Stradale.

Two different approaches for the same tribute.

The TZ3 Corsa is a track car. It is not a design exercise. It is a Neo-Classic car.
The TZ3 Stradale is a Design Exercise. It is not a race car. It is an Avant-garde car.
The TZ3 Corsa is a tribute to the Alfa Romeo and Zagato racing heritage. It is a one off.
The TZ3 Stradale is a tribute to the Alfa Romeo and Zagato street legal heritage. Just 9 examples in the world.

In total 10 collectible cars for the 100th anniversary of Alfa Romeo made by its most prolific contributor, both with race and road legal bodies.

The TZ3 Corsa celebrates men and machines of the Alfa Romeo Zagato racing heritage:
• Scuderia Ferrari (20s and 30s)
• Alfa Corse (40s and 50s)
• Autodelta (60s and 70s)
• Scuderia Zagato (80s and 90s)

The TZ3 Stradale celebrates the road legal heritage of Alfa Romeo Zagato coupés:
• RLSS, 1500, 1750, 2300 and 2900 Zagato (20s and 30s)
• 6C 2500 Panoramica, 1900 SSZ and the Giulietta SVZ (40s and 50s)
• SZ, 2600 SZ, Giulia TZ and Junior Z (60s and 70s)
• 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.