Sports cars and supercars have been joined now by hypercars in the automotive lexicon but despite the additional vocabulary, the lines seem to have blurred beyond recognition. Defining any of them can be a laborious process as features, power, and outright performance intersect all over the road. Nevertheless, most enthusiasts will point out pillars of the recipe like dramatic styling, breathtaking performance, and rarity.
Those pillars are on display when it comes to all of the classic supercars that we all know and love. Think of cars like the Ferrari Testarossa, 360 Modena, or even the Lamborghini Gallardo. They all qualify for good reason, and that's exciting because they're all available right now for less than six figures. The problem with all of them is that they're almost cliche today. For many, they're seen as nothing more than an accessory or wealth indicator. Driving one doesn't automatically qualify a person as an enthusiast. It doesn't tell people anything beyond confirming the driver's ability to obtain it.
That's why the Alfa Romeo SZ is such a brilliant stallion. It might not have the straight-line power and speed of the above-mentioned vehicles but it does have performance metrics that none of them can touch. It's also wild, capable, and focused, and it's the ultimate anti-supercar for the discerning enthusiast.
Special thanks to Lane Motor Museum who graciously lent this rare beast to HotCars for this review.
The Alfa Romeo SZ Had Some Controversial Styling
Despite the Zagato inclusion in its naming convention, the SZ wasn't actually designed by the famed coachbuilding company. No, this wildly unique sportscar was the product of a collaboration between designers at Fiat, Zagato, and Alfa Romeo. Much of it was heavily influenced by newly adopted computer-aided design and that allowed for more truncated shapes and sharper lines.
In person, the car is indeed a bit shocking. The unknowing could easily be forgiven for thinking that this was a front-wheel-drive hatchback. It just doesn't immediately look like it's anywhere near as potent as it is. Still, the front end is unmistakably Alfa Romeo and the longer you look at it the more it starts to grow on you. The front of the SZ is properly aggressive and bold, exactly the way you'd want a supercar to be. The wheels set out at the very edge of the body shape remind you that the sharp lines hide a real performance car underneath.
Sharp lines were pretty normal when it was released, but the way the SZ so curtly finished its rear section was so shocking at the time that the car was given the moniker "Il Monstro" or The Monster. Never has a description fit so well, but not for the reasons you might initially think.
Here's Where The SZ Gets Its Supercar Badge
Monsters in real life are so rarely the sasquatch type. Big, menacing, and overwhelming. Often times they're smaller and instead of being loud they walk softly and carry a big stick. What makes them monsters is that they have an edge mixed with real serious competency above the norm. The Alfa Romeo SZ was exactly that type of scary to sports cars and supercars of its day.
To get this little car moving, Alfa inserted a 3.0-liter V6 under the hood and sent some 210 horsepower (probably more in reality) to the rear wheels only via a 5-speed transaxle. While that's not much by today's standards it propelled the car to 60mph in 7 seconds. That's as fast as a 2020 Honda Civic Sport. It's far more engaging than any Civic could ever dream to be too. What really made the SZ stand out though was the way it took corners faster than anything else.
That's due to the Alfa Romeo 75 Group A IMSA designed chassis and electronically controlled suspension underneath the injection-molded composite bodywork. Alfa didn't have a 400 horsepower racecar engine that they could make street legal so they did the next best thing, they gave this car a suspension that could rival actual racecars. They even went so far as to put the rear brakes inbound for the best possible weight distribution. Combine that athletic muscle with the incredibly light construction and you end up with a sports car that could pull 1.1 lateral Gs in a turn. We've heard reports that the figure was actually 1.2 g. There's even some talk of the SZ achieving numbers as high as 1.4. Let's put that in perspective.
The brand new 2021 Chevrolet Corvette C8 can achieve 1.08. The ability to resist lateral pulling forces and continue to accelerate is something that every sports car, supercar, or hypercar chases. And very few have done such a good job at catching that elusive figure in the same manner as the SZ. That feeling of physics trying to rip you through the door itself while you slingshot around a corner in total control produces an exhilaration that to this heart is far more appealing than the simple straight-line speed that any Instagram influencer can accomplish behind the wheel of a Gallardo. Perhaps we're a bit ahead of ourselves though because the SZ isn't only a supercar in the way that it handles. The entire experience closely follows the footsteps of Enzo and Ferruccio.
The Supercar Driving Experience Of The Alfa Romeo SZ
Go to slip into the SZ and the first thing you notice catches you before the door is even fully open. The oddly shaped door handle with its parent companies name emblazoned on the side is an appetizer of what's to come. It pops the door perfectly, and inside you find an interior far more akin to a Ferrari than a Fiat. The seats are warm and well-bolstered. The layout is simple, straightforward, and easy to use. For the most part that is. Some buttons have lost their meaning over time and so Lane Motor Keeps a few reminders in the cabin to ensure proper settings.
Once moving the trait that sticks with you more than any other is just how focused this car really is. The SZ wants to be driven by someone who is completely focused, for it's that focus and engagement that get the most out of the car. The clutch is heavy initially with more than enough modulation to make city driving comfortable. The transmission itself doesn't sport any particularly short throws but it is very easy to place. Braking is as sharp as the back end of this car. Still, no amount of deftness and finesse in the pedals could impress the way the handling does. This particular SZ doesn't have power steering but once up to speed, you couldn't tell. The feedback seemed to be as clear as the words on this page. The SZ talks to you, and it's eloquently verbose.
What's the point of a supercar to an enthusiast if not to see how well you can pilot it beyond the limits of traditional cars? The SZ isn't about to win any drag races (unless it's against a 2020 Honda Civic) but put it on an autocross course and it'll win the day both on and off the track. Take it to a cars and coffee or even a track day and it will single-handedly put a smile on the face of everyone that sees it. That's a real supercar x-factor that many overlook. One facet where it's sharply different from most supercars though, ride comfort.
In this series of reviews, the SZ was by far the most comfortable to drive. As a taller person I could easily see out in every direction but reverse (another supercar trait). There's ample room behind the seats for luggage and while the trunk isn't particularly spacious, it does have what you'd need to swap a tire out should that problem occur.
This particular SZ has a special steering wheel and gear shift. Each are genuine MOMO parts but they have this very unique harlequin pattern. Rex Bennett, Lanes Education Director tells me that the odd coloring is a direct connection to the similarly colorful Bennetton sponsored Alfa Romeo Formula One team of the 1980s. But it's not just the F1 touches that make this car rare though. In fact, less than 1,100 SZs were ever produced, this one being no.160. That certainly can't be said of a Gallardo or Modena.
Really then, the Alfa Romeo SZ is the perfect anti-supercar. It's not as fast in a straight line but it'll crush lots of modern metal in the bends. That means you'll get the same high, just in a different part of the track and if you ask me, corners are where we find out who the good drivers are anyway. This car rewards you for working on your skills. It feels like going to the gym with a professional athlete that's cheering you on to improve. It's bold, it's rare, and it's brash in just the same way that any supercar of its time was. Just think, if you saw this monster in traffic you'd turn and look at it too.