Zagato Build New Tubolare. Behold The TZ3.

There are still conflicting reports as to whether this car, which Zagato debuted at the Villa D'Este Concourse last weekend, uses the 4.7-liter V8 from Alfa Romeo's8C competizione, or a smaller 4.2-liter (probably still Ferrari derived). A dedicated racing car, it uses a combined carbon/tubular structure (or tubular carbon structure, the internet still isn't sure) and aluminum bodywork to keep its weight down to 1,870lbs (and, one presumes, to justify the TZ label), which Jalopnik seem to think is really light for a racing car.



It isn't. While the TZ3 is rather light by modern road car standards (undercuting a US market Lotus Elise by almost 190lbs), it is, by the traditional standards of Tubolare Zagato Alfa Romeos, a bit of a porker. Assuming the reported weight is correct the new car is giving away 415lbs to its TZ1 ancestor, and a frankly staggering 481lbs to the follow on TZ2. That's a lot to make up, and is slightly surprising given that, unlike road cars, racing cars haven't seen huge weight gain due to legislation and increased demand for content. If the tubular carbon reports are true the weight becomes even harder to explain.



Still, with 420 horsepower on tap, it should be quite quick, and is quoted as dispatching 0-60mph in 3.5sec, and having the ability to run on to nearly 190mph. That would seem to be enough to qualify as a fast road car. Whether or not it's enough to make it competitive depends entirely on the class in which it ends up racing.



Of course it's a one-off, and I can only speculate that its construction must have cost at least the price of one of the twelve TZ2s ever made; so it certainly isn't an inexpensive way to go racing. Still, what price a fantasy at this level? What the TZ3 is, beyond all doubt, is fabulous looking, especially by current competition car standards. Nothing on today's race tracks looks half this good. The shape is certianly derivative of both 1960s TZs, but it's handled with so much more flair than the slightly pudgy looking 8C, as to make one of the most stylish cars of the last few years look staid. As a toy, the TZ3 has got to rank near the top of the list; and we can only hope that Zagato are inspired to make more of them. Christmas is coming...