Alfa Romeo SE 048SP: The Gorgeous Racer That Never Raced

N3ver Raced - Indeed, not all racing cars that were originally planned to be revealed in certain racing events have succeeded in becoming a reality, it turns out that there are also racing cars that have a somewhat unlucky fate and end up being displayed in museums without even being used in the racing arena at all.

The Alfa Romeo SE 048SP is designed by a former Osella designer named Giuseppe Petrotta, launched in 1990, and unfortunately never been used to race at all. (Picture from: DailySportscar)

Well this time we will discuss one of them which has also been produced by Alfa Romeo, one of the world's leading Italian auto brands. We assured some of You also have never known the racing car in question. Here's the racing car that would be discused now named the Alfa Romeo SE 048SP was launched in 1990, and unfortunately never been used to race at all.

The Alfa Romeo race car was originally built and specially prepared as a replacement for the Lancia LC2 in Group C competition.. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

As quoted of DailySportscar, the Alfa Romeo race car is designed by a former Osella designer named Giuseppe Petrotta. It has a special look that sets it apart from other race cars by applying a rear wheel cover, and features a front-mounted radiator which is somewhat unconventional looks but easily identifiable as an Alfa Romeo sports car thanks to its typical small fake grille.

The Alfa Romeo SE 048SP is featured with a front-mounted radiator which is somewhat unconventional looks but easily identifiable as an Alfa Romeo sports car thanks to its typical small fake grill. (Picture from: DailySportscar)

This Alfa Romeo race car was originally built and specially prepared as a replacement for the Lancia LC2 in Group C competition after its race rules changed in the 1990s which essentially transitioned to a racing car is powered by a V10 engine, with weighs 750 kg. Still from the same source, reportedly that the changing racing cars were said also like a political games in the F1 arena amongst the brands under the Italian automotive giants Fiat at that time. As the result, the issue states that Lancia is concentrated to World Rally events, and Ferrari is focused on F1 arena, while the Group C racing scene is set for Alfa Romeo as its initial step back into the sports car arena for the first time in more than a decade.

The Alfa Romeo SE 048SP has a special look that sets it apart from other race cars by applying a rear wheel cover. (Picture from: DailySportscar)

So then the Italian automaker immediately drew up plans to build a race car with an Abarth designed chassis (such one used by the Lancia LC2), and powered by the 3.5 liter, 40-valves, naturally aspirated Tipo 1035 engine claimed capable to spew out over 600 bhp of power. The mentioned V10 engine was originally designed for Ligier F1 Team racing cars whose later its contract was canceled, then utilised in the rapidly cancelled as well but spectacular Alfa 164 Procar Silhouette racer. The Alfa Romeo proposed racing car was preceded by another unraced ones dubbed the SE 047 as a test mule based around the Lancia LC2, is powered by the V10 engine as well.

The Alfa Romeo SE 048SP is powered by with a Ferrari Tipo 036 V12 3.5 liter 60-valves engine, paired with 6-speeds manual transmission system. (Picture from: DailySportscar)

Unfortunately, the test results prove that the V10 is not a ready -made engine for endurance racing car, because it was originally designed for car in the F1 arena. Besides that, the automaker does not have a budget to make the engine adjustment until its performance is suitable for endurance racing, eventually the machine has never been installed to Alfa Romeo SE 048SP.

The Alfa Romeo SE 048SP now sat on display in the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo in Arese on the outskirts of Milan. (Picture from: DailySportscar)

Instead, the automaker decides to replace the V10 engine with a Ferrari Tipo 036 V12 3.5 liter 60-valves engine, paired with 6-speeds manual transmission system. Although it is mentioned that the machine is able to spray the power of more than 680 bhp, but once again the automaker done the same mistake, due to the machine is actually intended to race in the F1 arena and not specifically designed for the endurance racing event. Might be when taking such decisions, the automaker had a reasonable reason like the machine already equipped with a fairly sophisticated electronic management system, so possibility for further development is more ease to be done if there is a will and funds to do it!

The Alfa Romeo SE 048SP The Alfa Romeo SE 048SP failed to race in the Group C racetrack because development was ceased for some reason such the cost, complexity and uncertainty of success in the World Sportscar Championship. (Picture from: DailySportscar)

And that was the problem, even though Alfa Romeo's engineers and management wanted the car and the program as well, plus the help of Gianpiero 'MOMO' Moretti who uses the back door to try keep them close to the project. However above them in the group hierarchy still there were Fiat's senior executives who were far from convinced word due to their interest in the project had faded away so that the reality of the situation had crystallized and ensured the project would not get the green light.

The Alfa Romeo 155 SuperTouring came out as Alfa Romeo SE 048SP successor which turned out to be successful in dominating the racing arena by winning several national titles. (Picture from: Pinterest)

At the end of 1990, the decision of Fiat top brasses finally came down to discontinue the car project citing the cost, complexity and uncertainty of success in the World Sportscar Championship, as well as directing their attention to immediately shift to touring cars by considering that those car figure was more relevant for Alfa Romeo as a brand at that time was struggling to return to the world racing event.😢

This then gave rise to the figure of the Alfa Romeo 155 SuperTouring as a successor which turned out to be successful in dominating the racing arena by winning several national titles. Meanwhile the Alfa Romeo SE 048SP must be willing to be relegated to being on display in the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo in Arese on the outskirts of Milan, and made it to be one of the most beautiful Group C cars of all that ever existed, though it's never used for racing at all.😉*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DAILYSPORTSCAR ]

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