29.08.2003  ALFA ROMEO SPORTIVA EVOLUTA & TZ3 NEAR THEIR WORLD PREMIERES
in association with


Alfa Romeo to return to it's roots as a no-compromise sportscar manufacturer.

Sportiva Evoluta.

The long-awaited Sportiva Evoluta Concept may receive a surprise launch at the impending Frankfurt IAA Motor Show.  Planned production of 1.000 units per year during the first two years (2005-2006) may be hiked to 3.000 per annum with the introduction of a new Spider version in conjunction with the brand's Stateside relaunch.  Production of the Sportiva Evoluta shall be carried out by Pininfarina.

Insiders say that the sportscar represents the most beautiful design to see the light of day in forty years.  Pulled last-minute from the 2002 Paris Motor Show, the car has been waiting almost one year for it's World Premier.  The design stems from the beautiful Bertone-designed 2000 Sportiva prototype of 1954.  Design language clearly taken from the classic shall include side swages, the general body proportions and similar front grille treatment.



 

The Franco Scaglione designed Betrone 2000 Sportiva of 1954 never made it into series production, but remains one of the most valued Alfa Romeo designs to this day; hence the recent interest in reviving the car's glamorous styling.
 

It is also worth mentioning that Wolfgang Egger, head of the Alfa Centro Stile and the designer responsible for the development of the Sportiva Evoluta, also styled the highly acclaimed Alfa Nuvola Concept of 1996 under the leadership of Walter de' Silva.  This particular concept also embodied a similar traditional styling philosophy to the original 2000 Sportiva and can therefore be regarded as being a development study for the new sportscar.

 

 

Wolfgang Egger already showed his passion for traditional Alfa Romeo coupes with his beautiful Nuvola Concept Car in 1996.
 

The Sportiva Evoluta Concept uses a 4.2 V8 Ferrari-Maserati engine, whilst the production version shall use the new 4.3 V8 Fiat-GM Powertrain Unit, tuned by Alfa Romeo to over 450bhp.  Planned to go on sale in October 2004, the Sportiva Evoluta shall have a base price in the region of €100.000.

TZ3.

Meanwhile, the presentation of the future TZ3 draws closer then ever with an unveiling expected at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show in October.  Based on the production-approved Sportiva Evoluta, the 300+km/h supercar draws on the legendary Giulia TZ1 and TZ2 sports racing cars of the sixties.

If enough interest is generated a limited production of 1.000 units will be started over a range of four to five years, with a planned production rate of 200-250 units per annum.  The supercars, expected to built at Carrozzeria Zagato, will have a price tag of over €200.000.

The TZ3 shall later be fitted with a Ferrari Enzo-sourced 6.0 V12.  This follow-up, scheduled for 2006, will receive the name "Alfa Romeo TZ3 GTA Scuderia Ferrari" after a suggestion made by Ferrari.  Fitted with JTS and Uniair, the engine shall pump out around 620bhp and 750Nm.

In 2007, the TZ4 will use the new 5.0-litre V10 JTS Uniair with 600bhp and 650Nm that Ferrari is currently developing specifically for Alfa Romeo.

 

 

This 1:1 Sportiva Evoluta clay development model being milled at the Alfa Romeo Centro Stile gives an indication to the car's general proportions.

Note the  multiple louvres beneath the bumper on this recent sportscar proposal.

 

 

Sketches from the Centro Stile may hint at the TZ3's individual styling.

The TZ3 shall continue the legendary Ercole Spada designed TZ1 and TZ2 (Tubolare Zagato)

This sketch from Zagato hints at their current styling philosophy and shows a profile not dissimilar to the original TZ1 and TZ2.