Conference terri::cars_uk

438.0. "CIZETA MORODER V16T" by LEMAN::CHEVAUX (Patrick Chevaux, E-ACT Public Sector, GVO, DTN 888-x276) Mon Jan 09 1989 15:39

    Since it's "Happy New Year" time I thought I would not miss this
    one (that you may have seen in your favorite auto mag, anyway) :

    
                      The Cizeta Moroder V16T

    
    High performance 2 seater GT car. V16T stands for V16 (yes sixteen
    cylinders in 90 degree V) transverse.
    
    Photos show a beautiful shape, designed by Marcello Gandini, almost
    exactly the shape of the future Lamborghini Countach (the air intakes
    are different but the rest is the same).
    
    Engine has been designed by 3 engineers (ex Lamborghini employees).
    It is supposed to yield 500+ hp at around 8000rpm. It looks like
    2 V8s stuck together. However the ignition is really of a V16. Very
    short stroke. 4 valves/cylinder. Engine is tranverse. Power output at 
    center of 16 cyl. Clutch and gearbox in "normal" longitudinal position.
    
    Expected performance: 350 km/h
    
    Has been introduced to the US market on Dec 5, 1988.
    Will be displayed at Geneva Auto Show early March.
    
    . Cizeta (CZ in Italian) Cars created by Claudio Zampolli, previous
    Lamborghini employee, responsible for setting up a commercial network
    in the USA in the 1973 timeframe (to launch the high volume Uracco).
    When Lamborghini almost collapsed in 1975 he opened a garage in
    California which soon turned into a Ferrari/Lamborghini/Maserati
    distribution/restoration business. That's where he met a Countach
    owner ....
    
    . Giorgio Moroder, music editor/composer, famous for soundtracks
    of films like Flashdance, Top Gun , ... Moroder has provided the
    $$ to start the company. Moroder is another Italian living in Hollywood.

    . a factory is being built in Modena, Italy. The engine is already
    working on the test bed
    
    . Zampolli wanted a V16 (or anything with more than 12 cylinders)
    because "everyone" has 12 cylinders today : Jag, BMW, soon Mercedes
    
    . Production of the car (if customer demand proves satisfactory)
    will start in 1990.
    
    . RWD, unlike the new Lamborghini Countach (4WD). Zampolli does
    not believe in high performance 4WD. (his customers drive their
    Mercedes when it rains)
    
    There's a fully detailed article in the French Sport Auto of Jan 1989
    with plenty of colour pictures.
    
    I believe this is going to be stiff competition to Lamborghini.

    Any comments ?

    2 years later:  the 1st CIZETA V16T, black example, RHD, has been
    delivered to a customer in Singapore. The engine has finally been
    spec'd at 520bhp. Giorgio Moroder's last name does not appear in the
    ccmpany name anymore. Price (in Geneva) : 800K SFr.

    3 years later: Oh dear, I'll have a Diablo instead.
    
    (Not that I could afford one, mind)

    
    Whatever happened to replies .1 - .19 in this topic ?
    
    
    N.

    
    Is that why you attached TIMMII::CARS_UK_CONFERENCE to .-1  ??  :-) 
    
    
    N.