Cizeta V16T

The Cizeta V16T is an Italian sports car (built from 1991 to 1995) created by automotive engineer Claudio Zampolli in a joint venture with music composer Giorgio Moroder and designed by the famed Marcello Gandini. It was the only model of the Cizeta company. It was developed by a group of ex-Lamborghini employees and initially introduced in 1988. The Cizeta V16T Moroder name comes from the Italian pronunciation of designer Claudio Zampolli’s initials (CZ) (Ci-Zeta). The V16T signifies that its engine is a V16 mounted transversely in the central rear position, just forward of the rear axle and behind the passenger seats. The engine is indeed a true V16. Sharing a single cylinder block, and four-cylinder heads with gearing between the heads, providing a single output from the center of the engine assembly to the five-speed transaxle. The chassis was formed of chrome-moly elliptical steel tubing, wrapped in a sleek body designed by Marcello Gandini, and Claudio Zampolli, who had previously designed the Lamborghini Countach and some aerodynamic Maseratis. The front nose shape of the Cizeta V16T is from an original design for the Lamborghini Diablo by Marcello Gandini. However, in 1987 when Chrysler obtained controlling interest in Lamborghini, their design team “softened” the edges and generally modified Gandini’s original design, leaving Gandini famously unimpressed. Gandini then joined forces with Claudio Zampolli and they conceived the Cizeta. The Cizeta V16T was viewed from the beginning as an exclusive sports car, easily capable of achieving a top speed of 328 km/h (204 mph) and required just 4 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph), while at the same time equipped with many luxury features. In 1991, the list price for a Cizeta was an estimated, (US dollars) $650,000. Although predictions for production foresaw one car per month, only 12 examples (including 1 prototype) were actually built from 1991 until the company moved its operation to Los Angeles, California in 1995. Subsequently, 2 more cars were completed (one coupe and one spyder) in 1999 and 2003. As of May 1, 2006, the car was still in production on a made to order basis, although now priced at $650,000, or $850,000 for the Spyder TTJ, exclusive of shipping, taxes, and extras. At some point after the car’s debut, Giorgio Moroder and Claudio Zampolli parted ways. It is known that Claudio Zampolli designed the logo for the car, and Giorgio Moroder paid for the art development. The Cizeta, from 1990 to date, is no longer associated with Moroder; its name remains symbolic of Moroder’s hi-tech music and glamorous lifestyle. In addition, while the car debuted (temporarily) as the Cizeta-Moroder, all delivered cars were badged simply as Cizeta V16T.