Truth be told, the all-new Zagato TZ3 Stradale isn't exactly a concept. It's more of a very limited special edition street car. But the press release that accompanied its debut refers to it as a "design exercise" and "avante-garde car," which pretty much equates to "concept car" in our book.
Anyways, this thing is just too damn sexy to ignore...
The car builds upon the TZ3 Corsa that Zagato introduced last year, Alfa's actual centennial year. While that was a one-off track car, the TZ3 Stradale is a nine-off street car. The models are finding their way to ardent Alfa/Zagato collectors around the world.
Interestingly, while the TZ3 Corsa was all 8C Competizione at heart, the TZ3 Stradale turned to Alfa's big, hunky American cousin--the Dodge Viper ACR. The car is built upon the ACR's chassis and adds a lightweight carbon and aluminum body on top. Power comes from a 4.2-liter V8 engine mounted front-center. So unfortunately no 8.4-liter V10 under that sexy American-Italian physique.
We thought that it must be the 414-hp V8 from the 8C--the same engine in the TZ3 Corsa--but Zagato's press release describes it as an "American power train".
Similar to the Corsa but unique unto itself, the Stradale has more angular headlamps, full-wrapping glass on the cabin and a reworked front-end. It does share one major feature with the Corsa, though: the rear-end that looks like its been chopped by a downed yarder line (it's an Axe Men thing). If you're wondering what that's all about, it's a classic element of the TZ and TZ2 called the Kamm-tail and it's designed to increase aerodynamics.
All I know is certain birthdays are better than others, and this is one of those.