Cizeta-Moroder V16T

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Cizeta-Moroder V16 T
Cizeta-Moroder V16 T

The Cizeta-Moroder V16 T was an Italian supercar (built from 1991 to 1995) created by automotive engineer Claudio Zampolli in a joint venture with music composer Giorgio Moroder. It was the only product of the Cizeta company. It was developed by a group of ex-Lamborghini employees

The Cizeta-Moroder name comes from the spelling in Italian of the initials of the designer Claudio Zampolli (Ci-Zeta) and Giorgio Moroder. The V16 T implies 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 made up of two flat plane V8s, mounted transversely, with gearing between the two providing a single output from the center of the engine assembly to the longitudinal transmission.

The car was viewed from the beginning as an exclusive supercar, easily capable of topping 200 mph (320 km/h), and requiring just four seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (approx. 100 km/h), while at the same time equipped with many luxury features.

The chassis was formed of an aluminium honeycomb structure, wrapped in a sleek body designed by the famed Marcello Gandini, who had previously designed the Lamborghini Countach and some aerodynamic Maseratis (and later the Lamborghini Diablo).

In 1991, the list price for a Cizeta-Moroder was an estimated €250,000 or US$300,000. This price tag made it unviable for most people who had such wealth to buy, due to being produced at the end of the speculator driven supercar price boom, of the fact that buyers rather typically buy established brand names (i.e. Ferrari, Lamborghini) and the subsequent worldwide recession, just like its contemporary and ultra-fast supercars including the McLaren F1. Although predictions for production foresaw one car per week, only eight examples were actually built (from 1991 until the company's demise in 1995). Now the car is still in production (on demand) but for $649,000 and $849,000 for the Spyder TTJ exclusive of shipping, taxes and extras.

The car is featured in the PS2 game 'Gran Turismo 4'. Currently a book and DVD is being produced about the car.

[edit] Trivia

  • Until the Bugatti Veyron entered production, the Cizeta-Moroder V16T was the only post-war[citation needed] production car with a 16 cylinder engine which is road legal in some countries.
  • The prototype car was built as a complete roadgoing car. It was available to the press for loan - and received favourable reviews.
  • The Sultan of Brunei is an owner of three V16Ts.

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