Alfa Romeo SZ

Manufacturer	Alfa Romeo SZ
Also called	ES-30 or Il Mostro
Production	1989–1991 SZ 1992–1994 RZ
Assembly	Terrazzano di Rho (MI), Italy
Successor	Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
Class	Sports car
Body style(s)	coupe (SZ) convertible (RZ)
Layout	FR layout
Engine(s)	3.0 L V6
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual
Wheelbase	2,510 mm (98.8 in)
Length	4,059 mm (159.8 in)
Width	1,730 mm (68.1 in)
Height	1,311 mm (51.6 in) SZ 1,300 mm (51.2 in) RZ
Curb weight	1,256 kg (2,769 lb) SZ 1,380 kg (3,042 lb) RZ
Related	Alfa Romeo 75
Designer	Robert Opron/Antonio Castellana

The Alfa Romeo SZ (Sprint Zagato) or ES-30 (Experimental Sportscar 3.0 litre) is 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.[2]

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. The car possessed unusual headlights positioned in a trio on each side - a styling used more subtly on later Alfa Romeos in the 2000's.

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,[2] 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.[3]

The two seater hard roof version also saw a convertible version, the RZ (for Roadster Zagato), produced from 1992 until December 1994.[citation needed]

It features as one of three drivable cars in a Commodore Amiga/Atari ST game, 'Supercars' as a Taraco Neoroder Turbo.

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