Zagato presented the gorgeous retro-sporty coupé on its centennial in collaboration with Alfa Romeo

ONE-OFF The word gorgeous is perhaps only one of the many appropriate words to describe the works of one of the Italian coachbuilders, Zagato. This Milan-based company was founded in 1919 by Ugo Zagato. The company is noted as a well-known coachbuilder that diligently builds gorgeus and great cars throughout its collaborating with various world-renowned car marque.

Alfa Romeo Giulia SWB was built by Zagato to mark its centennial in collaboration with Alfa Romeo. (Picture from: AutoDesignMagazine)

Recently, to mark the 100th anniversary of the collaboration between Alfa Romeo and the Milan-based coachbuilder, Zagato chose to commemorate this important anniversary by creating a new model. For your info, Alfa Romeo and Zagato have collaborated since 1921, by presenting a roadster called the Alfa Romeo Tipo G1 Zagato.

The Alfa Romeo TZ Series designed by Zagato, sorted ranging from most far background to foreground; the Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ or TZ1,  Alfa Romeo TZ2, Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa, and Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale. (Picture from: Alfa-Romeo-Portal)

The idea to build a retro-style car but still look sporty appeared in 2021, and Zagato can only realize it now into the Alfa Romeo Giulia SWB, and it's also intended to be a homage for their historic collaboration. The project can be done after the Milan-based coachbuilder met a German customer chosen from many its loyal customers, whose also known to have many Alfa Romeos in his garage including the rare Alfa Romeo Competizione 8C,as well as all Alfa-Romeo models of the recent years. 

The Alfa Romeo Giulia SWB Zagato's front-end styling is a mix of old and new as it takes inspiration from the Alfa Romeo SZ while using the latest three-point LED headlight design taken from the 2023 Giulia facelift. (Picture from: AutoGaleria)

The gorgeous two-doors sporty styled coupé was using Zagato's typical carbon fiber bodywork based on the latest Giulia Quadrifoglio platform with the short wheelbase, and upgraded into the GTAm specification by maintaining the 6-speed manual transmission. The car is powered by the legendary V6 twin turbo with a capacity of 2,900 cc engine. It was then made in such a way as to be the perfect DNA, therefore to mark a new chapter in the history of the legendary collaboration between the two Milan-based companies.

Alfa Romeo Giulia SWB featured with Zagato's typical carbon fiber bodywork based on the latest Giulia Quadrifoglio platform, and upgraded into the GTAm specification with the short wheelbase. (Picture from: KabarOto)

Then what about the design, if for the Alfa Romeo's 100th anniversary in 2010, Zagato chose the theme 'TZ or Tubolare Zagato,' then created the Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa powered by the 8C engine, followed by Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale built based on the Chrysler Dodge Viper, and was immediately referred to by the press as the first American Alfa Romeo. While for centennial anniversary of those two Italian companies collaboration theme was 'SZ or Sprint Zagato'.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia SWB Zagato's interior uses plenty of regular Giulia Quadrifoglio parts, such as the infotainment screen and various switches.. (Picture from: AutoDesignMagazine)

The TZ and SZ boasted two different design languages but both dress up the Zagato GranTurismo concepts. The Giulia SWB Corsa (SWB is short wheelbase) prototype design was therefore a natural evolution of the Alfa Romeo SZ model starting with the Codatronca version of the 1961, which dominated the GT Class in 1962-1963, up to the more recent SZ's front end was inspired by the new Alfa Romeo Tonale model.

Alfa Romeo Giulia SWB by Zagato is powered by mid-mounted V6 twin turbo with a capacity of 2,900 cc engine coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox. (Picture from: KabarOto)

Unlike the 1990 SZ based on the Alfa Romeo 75 Evoluzione, and not a shortened wheelbase as well, the new prototype got name "SWB" because it's developed by Zagato itself from the Giorgio's modular floor plan of the Giulia and Stelvio by optimizing its overhangs and wheelbase which in accordance to Zagato's sporting tradition.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia SWB Zagato featured with the Kammback rear design inspired by the Giulia TZ while the massive GTAm rear wing has been removed to create a cleaner look. (Picture from: AutoDesignMagazine)

The design process was carried out according to the collaborative idea of the Zagato team, under supporting by Head of design for Alfa Romeo, Alejandro Mesonero, and his team since the beginning. However, the car conception, development and production were carried out entirely independently by the Milanese atelier. It was also stated the presence of the Alfa Romeo badge on the car is solely for descriptive and promotional purposes, in keeping with Zagato's choice to take inspiration sources of the Alfa Romeo SZ.

Reportedly, now that the car has been built, and is being on a photo shot session at the La Pista Circuit in Arese, Milan. After that, it will be officially handed over to its German prospective owner (estimated in March 2023), and ending an important year for Zagato and sealing its collaboration with Alfa Romeo that's already run for more than 100 years, the result with the highest collector values for more than 150 models. *** [EKA | FR0M VARIOUS SOURCES | ALFA ROMEO | ZAGATO | ROADANDTRACK | CARSCOOPS | IDMOTOR1 | AUTODESIGNMAGAZINE ]

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