The 3 litre (2959cc) V6 engine from the
75 was tuned to give a total of 210bhp whilst the suspension was modified
to cope with the extra performance. The torsion bars were replaced by coil
over units, and uniball joints replaced all the rubber. A hydraulic system
which can be controlled from the cockpit can vary the ride height of the
car (supposedly included to aid the crossing of speed-bumps and the like). The brakes were also taken from the 75, from the Turbo Evoluzione
model. Other mechanical parts such as the final drive were modified 75 items.
The bodywork was developed extensively
in the windtunnel, with a final drag coefficient of 0.30 as well as very
low lift. All the body panels were made (using injection moulding) from
a composite material ('Modar' resin plus glass fibre) with the exception
of the roof (which was aluminium) and the tailgate spoiler (which was carbon
fibre). These panels were then bonded to the steel structure which retained
the 75 wheelbase.
The Geneva Motorshow in 1989 saw the appearance of a new and controversially
styled Alfa Romeo, the SZ (or ES30). Designed in-house by Alfa Romeo, it
was effectively a heavily tuned 75 chassis and mechanicals
with a new bodyshell. Production was carried out by Zagato, where 1000
cars were built. The RZ (a cabriolet) was a pure Zagato project, and only
about 241 examples were produced. The latter shared few panels with the
SZ and was some 100kgs heavier due to the strengthening required.
Technical Details
| Driveline | longitudinal engine at front with rear wheel drive |
| Engine | 2959cc (93x72.6mm) sohc (per bank) V6 with 210bhp @ 6,200rpm |
| Suspension | front : double wishbone with coil springs and telescopic dampers plus anti-roll bar
rear : de Dion with transverse link, coil springs and telescopic dampers plus anti-roll bar Ground clearance adjustable by 40mm wheelbase : 2510mm track (front/rear) : 1464mm/1426mm |
| Brakes | front : ventilated discs, diameter 284mm
rear : ventilated discs, diameter 250mm rear load proportioning valve handbrake operating on the rear via cable dual hydraulic circuit with servo assistance |
| Gearbox | 5 speed manual
hydraulically operated single plate clutch (diameter 215mm) |
| Steering | Rack and pinion with speed sensitive hydraulic power assistance
3.2 turns lock to lock |
| Wheels | front : 7Jx16 (205/55 ZR16 tyres)
rear : 8Jx16 (225/50 ZR16 tryes) |
| Kerb weight | SZ : 1260kg (56% front, 44% rear) |
Performance
| model | max speed | 0-100km/h | standing km |
| SZ | 245 km/h | 7.0 sec | 27.4 sec |
Tuning
See the 75 page for ideas.....
Buying / Selling
Check the chassis number and identification
carefully for authenticity. These are collectors cars and so even any minor
detail changes from the standard will probably affect the value of the car.
Check the bodywork. Check that there are
no mismatching panels, large areas of discolouration or signs of fresh
paint (compare Check the main electrical functions - wipers,
windows, lights, etc... try putting the main beam and wipers on at the
same time. Check the headlights for cracks and ensure that the air conditioning
system is functioning correctly.
Check the brake pedal does not go to the
floor if pressed hard for a long time and if possible check the brake discs
for wear (through the wheels at the front). Check the gearchange for clean
engagement, the gear linkage can become sloppy when worn, but these can be replaced.
The engine should be run up to temperature,
check the exhaust for smoke, the condition of the breather (look for mayonaise),
the condition of the oil filler cap (again white deposits can indicate head
gasket or other serious problems) and the colour of the coolant (preferably
not thick or dark brown!). Check the oil pressure, it should be around
3.5 bar when driving and not drop below 0.5 bar at idle.Listen to the noise
of the engine, then depress the clutch and engage first gear. Whatever
noise has disappeared was coming from the gearbox, what remains is from
the engine. Also check the condition of the engine oil on the dipstick.The
lighter brown the better, if it is thick black then leave quickly.
Check tyre wear, uneven patterns could imply a bent chassis.
Always take it for a test drive. Check
that the car tracks in a straight line with no steering input and also
remains straight under braking. Find a large open area and complete several
lock to lock turns (also in reverse), listening for any noises. Try the
handbrake when moving - seized rear callipers will mean uneven braking or no braking.
inside
the engine bay with the external body colour), all of which probably indicate accident damage.
Try to find out when the timing belts were last changed. If not recently then
have them changed - the official interval is 48,000 miles.
Links
An informative SZ website
There is also a list of all our picture galleries (including museums,
motorshows and various events).
Wallpapers/Desktop Backgrounds of numerous Alfa Romeo's, including the SZ, are available to download.
For books on Alfa Romeo see our Online Bookstore
SZ & RZ comment form
Your Comments
My uncle had a Alfa Romeo-car dealership in the Netherlands, He had an RZ, one exatly like the picture above. He sold it for good money, but boy after one quicke spin around the block, it became one of my favourites. The look on the faces on spectators, it's undescribable.
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