Cizeta-Moroder V16T
| Cizeta-Moroder V16T | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Cizeta Automobili |
| Production | 1991–1995 (20 produced) 2006-(resumed production) |
| Designer | Marcello Gandini |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door coupe 2-door Roadster |
| Layout | RMR layout |
| Related | Lamborghini Diablo |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | V16 (two Lamborghini Urraco 90° dohc flat-plane V8s in a single block) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,694 mm (106.1 in) |
| Length | 4,445 mm (175.0 in) |
| Width | 2,057 mm (81.0 in) |
| Height | 1,115 mm (43.9 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,700 kg (3,700 lb) |
The Cizeta-Moroder V16T, now known as just 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 product of the Cizeta company. It was developed by a group of ex-Lamborghini employees and initially introduced in 1988.
The Cizeta-Moroder name comes from the spelling in Italian of the initials of the designer Claudio Zampolli (that is where the name "Cizeta" comes from; Ci-Zeta is italian for the letters C-Z, Zampolli's initials) and Giorgio Moroder. The V16T signifies that its engine is a V16 unit mounted Transversely in the central rear position, just forward of the rear axle and behind the passenger seats. However, the engine was not a true V16. Rather, it was engineered from the ground up as two flat plane V8s sharing a single block, mounted transversely, with gearing between the two providing a single output from the center of the engine assembly to the longitudinal transmission.
The chassis was formed of an aluminum honeycomb structure, wrapped in a sleek body designed by Marcello Gandini, who had previously designed the Lamborghini Countach and some aerodynamic Maseratis. The shape of the V16T is actually an original design for the Lamborghini Diablo by Gandini when he was at Lamborghini. 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 Zampolli and they conceived the Cizeta based on Gandini's original design for the Diablo. Thus, in some ways, the car could be considered what the Diablo would have looked like had Chrysler not intervened. Zampolli is credited with most of the final rear design, while Gandini is responsible for the rest.
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