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There are cars we fall in love with immediately and those we can't bear to look at, let alone acquire. In between are boldly designed vehicles that attract our attention, but not instant love. Rides such as the Alfa Romeo SZ require a specific taste and some time to get used to.
If we're to be completely honest, the Alfa Romeo SZ sports car is known for starting discussions. Widely dubbed as an unconventionally designed vehicle, the SZ has earned numerous critics since its big launch in 1989. But it also got quite a few fans. Those who were not after the most popular and easy-on-the-eye rides from the '90s (usually coming from Ferrari) let themselves test and slowly fall in love with the Alfa Romeo SZ.
The same is today. Despite its somewhat controversial reputation, this vehicle gives you many reasons to like it — more than 30 years after the launch. Once you get over its peculiar looks, you'll see more than one great thing about it.
You've probably read about the Alfa Romeo SZ in one of our previous comprehensive reviews. If not, you came to the right place because, today, we take another look at this astonishingly unique ride, revealing why we think it's better than most people think.
The Alfa Romeo SZ Sports Car Is Pure Bold Styling One Simply Has To Appreciate
As mentioned, it's easy to see that the Alfa Romeo SZ sports car is not a classic beauty — at least not in the same way as some other cars from the '90s we love so much. However, there's something special about this ride, and the more you look at it, the more likely you are to become mesmerized.
The Alfa Romeo SZ or Sprint Zagato first appeared in 1989 as the ES-30 or Experimental Sportscar 3.0 liter. It was a project developed under the partnership of (then) three parties involved: Centro Stile Zagato, Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, and Centro Stile Fiat. The primary goal of such a project was to convince the public that Alfa Romeo could be as significant and famous a sports car manufacturer as before the big merger with Fiat.
Therefore, the Alfa Romeo SZ arrived at the 1989 Geneva Motor Show as a representation of a unique design blend. Initially, it seemed like the three parties involved in the development went one step farther than they should, delivering an odd pile of curves and lines. The boxy exterior was not easy to love from first sight, and many gearheads went as far as to call the Alfa Romeo SZ a monster.
However, we're here to argue that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Rather than calling the SZ a monster, we look at it as a distinctive achievement within the automotive industry that made a special kind of impact. Look at it for longer than a minute or two, and you'll start to appreciate its characteristic bodywork, lines, and components. Add to the picture the admirable performance, and you'll start liking this ride very much.
The Alfa Romeo SZ Sports Car Provides A Surprisingly Smooth And Comfortable Ride
Although the Alfa Romeo SZ sports car was never destined to appeal to the masses, its stable and enjoyable performance surprised the public. What appeared to be a concept and a mere experiment in both design and specs turned out to be a real production sports car with decent performance.
The Alfa Romeo SZ sports car packed a 3.0-liter V6 engine capable of producing 210 horsepower at 6,200 RPM and 181 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 RPM. It was upgraded straight by the Alfa Romeo's racing division to reach these numbers, equipped with a more aggressive camshaft, new intake and exhaust manifolds, and more. Even more importantly, the Alfa Romeo SZ had a perfectly balanced weight to reach 60 mph in about 6.7 seconds and launch drivers to 152 mph of pure fun and comfort.
Another great thing about the Alfa Romeo SZ sports car is its advanced suspension, which allows drivers to go over uneven terrains without suffering from headaches afterward. In simple words, the SZ is a complete sports car and a great performer — it has always been. Once people gave it a shot, the SZ became more popular and praised.
Today, we can easily say the Alfa Romeo SZ has a better reputation than at the time of its production. It may still be an unfavorable ride by some and fail to reach classic status, but it's a vehicle worthy of every car collector's list. With unique styling and impressive specs, the Alfa Romeo SZ is a one-off ride you'll learn to love for its unique characteristics.