Zagato TZ3 Stradale pays tribute to 100 years of Alfa with Dodge chassis, powertrain

Zagato TZ3 Stradale
Zagato TZ3 Stradale

A little less than a month after we learned that Zagato was working on a its new TZ3 Stradale, the has released the first photos and details of its new creation.

The new Zagato TZ3 Stradale is a part of the company’s tribute to the 100th anniversary of Alfa Romeo , which began with the release of its one-off TZ3 Corsa in 2009 and will end with the unveiling of its version of the TZ3 Stradale this year.

Click here for our original post on the Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa.

The Zagato TZ3 Stradale is based on the Viper ACR chassis with a carbon fibre body. Those underpinnings are paired with a 4.2L V8 engine matched to a 6-speed sequential transmission.

“‘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,” Zagato said.

Only nine examples of the TZ3 Stradale will be made.

Zagato TZ3 Stradale:

Zagato TZ3 Stradale Zagato TZ3 Stradale Zagato TZ3 Stradale Zagato TZ3 Stradale

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.

– By: Omar Rana