Zagato TZ3 Stradale

Official: Zagato unveils new TZ3 Stradale with the heart of a Viper and the soul of an Alfa

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) on Apr 28th, 2011 at 6:51AM

Zagato TZ3 Stradale – Click above for high-res image gallery

Less than a month after the news broke that Zagato was working on a new TZ3 Stradale, the Milanesecarrozzeria has unveiled the first photos and details of its latest creation.

The sumptuous TZ3 Stradale is part of a continuous celebration by Zagato of Alfa Romeo's centenary. So it's based on an Alfa, then? Well, not quite. Its underpinnings are actually much more serpentine than even the snake on the Alfa badge, borrowed as they are from the all-conquering Dodge Viper ACR, over which is draped a bespoke carbon fiber body. You can discern some key Zagato design elements from its similarity to the Perana Z-One (that's no bad thing) and the classic Kamm tail. But while this coachbuilt Viper doesn't borrow any mechanical bits from the marque to which it pays tribute, its design puts a decidedly contemporary spin on decades of collaboration between Zagato and Alfa Romeo.

The fourth model in the TZ line, the Stradale follows the original TZ and TZ2, and the more recent TZ3 Corsawhich was unveiled last year at Villa d'Este – the same location where, as we recently reported, an original TZ is set to cross the auction block. But while the Alfa-powered TZ3 Corsa was a strict one-off track car, the TZ3 Stradale (as previewed in Zagato's Christmas card) will be built in an edition of nine examples.

The first is going to noted American collector Eric King, the second and third examples already earmarked for customers in Japan and Europe. Ask really nicely and maybe one of the remaining six can be yours. Otherwise, you'll have to settle for perusing our high-resolution image gallery below and scoping out the official press release after the jump.

NY Times Article - Alfa at 100

Interesting NY times article with quotes from people we know!

NY TIMES - Alfa at 100: Prewar to Post-Graduate

(Steady-on Dave...steady man!)

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How about it Squadra 0170?

Find of the Day: Jean Alesi's 1991 Scuderia Ferrari 642 [w/video]

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Australian police hope to attract stares with Alfa MiTo cruiser

Chrysler, Lancia...what's the difference?

Lancia hits the matte with Hard Black edition Delta. We ponder a Chrysler version.

Kill Bill?

Uma, meet Alfa. Alfa, Uma.

Your Face Here: Fiat celebrating half a million 500s with owner-inspired paint job

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Alfa 166 Replacement To Be U.S.-Built

LONDON — Alfa Romeo will likely manufacture a rear-wheel-drive replacement for its defunct 166 executive sedan exclusively in North America, where most will be sold, Inside Line has learned.

The plant, probably Chrysler's 300C site in Brampton, Ontario, will also supply Europe with the car.

The new big Alfa, originally codenamed project 169, will share a brand-new, Chrysler-developed platform planned for the next-generation 300C and Dodge Charger sedans, although the Alfa version will feature bespoke suspension and powertrains.

Alfa believes a rear-drive platform to be essential for models in this class, and its integration with Chrysler suddenly provides it with a potentially suitable architecture.

Alfa is to collaborate closely with Dodge in future, this being the most sporting brand in the Chrysler portfolio.

Insiders report that the tieup with Chrysler has prompted Alfa to rewrite much of its product plan as a result of the new opportunities that this alliance presents. Apart from the possibility of producing Alfas in the U.S., once a fertile market for the brand, higher potential sales volumes, reduced component costs and enhanced distribution have all improved the prospects for the return of this famous brand to the U.S., which is slated for 2011.

Fiat will be announcing its product plans for the Chrysler Group in more detail in Detroit in mid-November.

The Chrysler rear-drive platform could also provide the basis of a new Alfa Spider and Brera — in shortened form, it is the base for the Challenger — although there is no confirmation of this, and the architecture may prove too large to suit European buyers. But Alfa is believed to be exploring the return of the Spider, and possibly its mainstream coupe siblings, to the rear-wheel-drive format last used by the Duetto Spider in the '90s, and the Alfetta GTV in the '80s. The company has already completed the design of the Spider, and will be looking for another rear-drive platform if Chrysler's does not suit.

Chrysler Group in turn will be taking three platforms from Fiat known as A (500, Panda), B (Grande Punto) and C, the last being new and the basis for the 147-replacing Milano which debuts early next year. The C platform will be stretched to provide architecture for the new Giulia, which replaces the 159. In theory, the Giulia and Milano could also be manufactured in the U.S. once Chrysler and Dodge are producing their own models on these platforms.

Inside Line says: Fiat's Chrysler alliance may make Alfa a North American success again — if it can get the products right.

— Richard Bremner, Correspondent

New Alpho Romaro Sighting...

Don't ask for an explaination of this photo because there isn't any! We've all heard of re-badging, but they might want to change the rear bumper with "SATURN" molded into it. At least it has twin cams and AAA plus (for towing). Click on the photo for a better look-see.