Car Design News: Zagato cars

Friday, February 4, 2011

Zagato cars

Zagato (SZ DESIGN s.r.l.) is a design consultancy and engineering services company situated just outside Milan, Italy. The company's premises occupy an area of 23,000 square metres (250,000 sq ft), of which 11,000 square metres (120,000 sq ft) are covered. The company was established at the end of the World War I by Ugo Zagato, putting aircraft industry construction techniques to use in the expanding market for passenger vehicles. Zagato's cars were advanced in design and became synonymous with light weight and excellent aerodynamics. Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Lancia immediately realised the advantages of his rakish, streamlined designs. A collaboration followed which saw the creation of a series of legendary racing cars, such as the Alfa Romeo 1500, then the 1750 Gran Sport, and the 2300 8C. After World War II, Zagato was very much active in the new GT racing category. Avant-garde styling, together with light weight and wind-cheating lines were main features of Zagato's models for the leading sports car manufacturers of that era - Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia, Abarth, Ferrari, Aston Martin and Bristol. In addition to cars that have been produced officially in small series, the company has also built exclusive one-offs and prototypes for other illustrious marques, such as Ford, Jaguar, MG, Rover, Volvo, and Rolls-Royce. Ugo Zagato's two sons, Elio Zagato (1919–2009) and Gianni Zagato (born 1929), became involved with the company in the late 1940s. Ugo died in 1968. Zagato is currently headed by Andrea Zagato. Many Zagato vehicles have the signature double-bubble roof that allowed clearance for racing helmets or heads, with minimal frontal area. Other trademark design features include no bodywork ahead of the headlights, flat door handles and the absence of bumpers and outside rearview mirrors. Zagato also designs non-automobile projects such as an automated guided electric commuter train for a city in Abu Dhabi.