Alfa Romeo Giulia SWB Zagato coming in 2023

Alfa Romeo will join forces with Italian coachbuilders Zagato in the design of a new sports model called the Giulia SWB Zagato. Not to be confused with the limited-run model that’s been confirmed by Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Phillipe Imparato – which will arrive in 2023 with both petrol and electric powertrains – the Giulia SWB Zagato will be a separate model with styling referencing the original coupe. 

The Giulia SWB Zagato is expected to share its basic underpinnings with the existing Giulia saloon, and as the name suggests will include a shortened wheelbase. The styling, as suggested by the teased image, will likely be very different from the existing Alfa Romeo design language, with the rear light bar suggesting it will feature a shorn or Kamm-style rear end. 

The petrol-powered Giulia SWB Zagato is expected to feature a combustion powertrain, likely the twin-turbocharged 2.9-litre 90-degree V6 engine found in Alfa’s Quadrifoglio models. As with the saloon, this will likely be transmitted through an eight-speed manual transmission to the rear wheels via Alfa’s electronically-controlled limited slip differential. 

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The relationship between Alfa Romeo and Zagato has long been a fruitful one, with their most recent full-factory project being the ‘Beast of Turin’, or SZ, in 1989. Since then, the brands have come into contact with very limited-run models like the TZ3 Stradale, of which just nine were built with underpinnings borrowed from the Dodge Viper ACR. An initial concept version of the TZ3 was also shown, this time with its underpinnings based on the 8C Competizione, which itself borrowed heavily from Maserati. 

So before Alfa Romeo goes all electric in 2027, the Italian car maker still has a few surprises up its sleeve that should make good use of synergies available within the wider Stellantis group. Thankfully, we won’t have to wait long to see what it has in store.