INTRODUCING THE
ALFA ROMEO
SZ
When you combine the design talents of three Italian styling studios with the ‘Cuore Sportivo’ (Sporting Heart) of one of that country’s most charismatic motor manufacturers, you would expect something special to be the outcome. The Alfa Romeo SZ – Sprint Zagato – was the result. It is generally acknowledged as being probably the first production car to be developed using both computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) technology. The angular and wedgy shape has a remarkably slippery drag coefficient of Cd 0.3 but is a ‘love it or hate it design’, and it soon earned the nickname Il Mostro – The Monster.
The SZ is built on a shortened version of the rear-drive Alfa 75 floorpan combined with the suspension of Alfa’s 75 Group A/IMSA race car. A full-width rear wing increases downforce. The bodywork is a composite of thermoplastic resin reinforced with glass fibre that is bonded to a steel body shell with special adhesives.
Powering the SZ is a tweaked version of Alfa’s charismatic s-o-h-c V6 developing 157 kW at 6 200 r/min and 245 N.m of torque at 4 500. A total of 1 036 SZs were built.
Top speed
245 km/h
Transmission
Five-speed manual (transaxle), limited-slip differential
Power
157 kW at 6 200 r/min
Engine
2 959 cm3 60-deg V6, s-o-h-c, 12-valve, fuel injection
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
Year |
1991 |
Country of Origin |
Italy |
Engine Type |
2 959 cm3 60-deg V6, s-o-h-c, 12-valve, fuel injection |
Power Output |
157 kW at 6 200 r/min |
Transmission Type |
Five-speed manual (transaxle), limited-slip differential |
Braking System |
|
Top speed |
245 km/h |
