Alfa Romeo SZ

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Alfa Romeo SZ & RZ
Manufacturer	Alfa Romeo
Parent company	Fiat Group
Aka	ES-30 or Il Mostro
Production	1989–1991 SZ 1992–1993 RZ
Assembly	Terrazzano di Rho (MI), Italy
Class	Sports car
Body style	coupe (SZ) convertible (RZ)
Layout	FR layout
Engine	3.0 L V6
Transmission	5-speed manual
Wheelbase	2510 mm
Length	4059 mm
Width	1730 mm
Height	1311 mm SZ 1300 mm RZ
Weight	1256 kg SZ 1380 kg RZ
Fuel capacity
Related	Alfa Romeo 75
Designer	Robert Opron/Antonio Castellana

The Alfa Romeo SZ (Sprint Zagato) or ES-30 (Experimental Sportscar 3.0 litre) was a high performance limited production sports car/road-concept car built between 1989 and 1991 with partnership via Centro Stile Zagato, Centro Stile Alfa Romeo and Centro Stile Fiat. It was unveiled as ES-30 in 1989 Geneva Motor Show as a prototype by Zagato, although the car was mainly built by them not designed mechanically.

Robert Opron of the Fiat design studio was responsible for the initial sketches while Antonio Castellana was largely responsible for the final styling details and interior. Only the 'Z' logo of Zagato was kept.

Mechanically and engine-wise, the car was based on the Alfa Romeo 75, production being carried out by Zagato at Terrazzano di Rho near the Alfa factory in Arese. The thermoplastic injection moulded composite body panels were produced by Italian company Carplast and French company Stratime.

The suspension was taken from the Alfa 75 group A/IMSA car, and modified by Giorgio Pianta, engineer and team manager of the Lancia and Fiat rally works team. A hydraulic damper system was made by Koni. The SZ was originally equipped with Pirelli P Zero tyres (front 205/55 ZR 16, rear 225/50 ZR 16) and is able to sustain over 1.1 G in cornering, some drivers have measured a cornering force of 1.4 G, which remains an excellent performance figure.

The two seater hard roof version also saw a convertible version, the RZ (for Roadster Zagato), produced from 1992 until September 1993.

Characteristics

• Engine: 3.0  V6 (2959 cc), 210 PS at 6200 rpm, 245 Nm at 4500 rpm
• SZ : Only one official colour scheme was available: Red with grey roof, Tan leather interior
• One in black for Andrea Zagato
• RZ : Only three official colour schemes were available: Red with Black leather, Yellow with Black leather, and Black with Red leather interior
• Three in silver, one in pearlescent white
• 1036 SZs were produced (planned: 1000), about 100 were exported to Japan.
• 284 RZs were produced (planned 350)

Rear view of SZ

Rear view of RZ

File:Alfa sz.jpg

A few SZ's and RZ's

The two seater hard roof version also saw a convertible version (RZ (Roadster Zagato)), produced from 1992 until September 1993.

• Engine Spec: 3.0 litre V6 (2959cc), 210 BHP
• SZ : Only one official colour scheme was available: Red/grey
• One in black for Andrea Zagato
• RZ : Only three official colour schemes were available: Red, Yellow and Black
• Three in silver, one in pearlescent white
• Less than 1000 SZs were produced, about 100 were exported to Japan.

External links

• A lot of information about the Alfa Romeo SZ and RZ by E v.d. Beek.