1995 Cizeta-Moroder V16T
Never before had the world seen a V16 engine mounted in a transverse layout. Such a setup was necessary due to the long length of the engine, but also made the car one of the widest ever produced. Essentially, two flat-plane V8's were grafted such that the timing mechanisms shared the center space. Gearing between the two provided a single input for the longitudinally mounted transmission. The block was similar to two Ferrari V8 engines but in the end it had to be cast as a fully custom unit.
Designing and implementing a new engine was a huge feat, especially for an upcoming manufacturer. Most of the drivetrain components were specially outsourced and Cizeta then assembled the complete car around their own aluminum honeycomb tub. 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.
Given the connection between the V16T and the Diablo, the V16T is often mistaken as a rip-off of the Lamborghini Diablo, when in fact it's quite the opposite: in some ways the Cizeta is more of a genuine Lamborghini than the actual final Diablo, because it was what Gandini originally planned before Chrysler's meddling.
In 1991, the list price for a Cizeta-Moroder was an estimated €250,000 or US$300,000. This price tag made it unattainable to all but a select few individuals. The Sultan of Brunei has two Cizeta V16T's!
The car is still in production (on demand), although again with a large price tag of $649,000, respectively $849,000 for the Spyder TTJ, exclusive of shipping, taxes and extras.
The V16T is illegal to drive or to even own in the United States. One was seized by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on December 7, 2009.
Engine 90 Degree, V16
position Transverse Mid-Engine
valvetrain DOHC, 4 Valves per Cyl
displacement 5995 cc / 365.8 in³
bore 86.0 mm / 3.39 in
stroke 64.5 mm / 2.54 in
compression 9.3:1
power 402.7 kw / 540.0 bhp @ 8000 rpm
torque 542.33 nm / 400.0 ft lbs @ 6000 rpm
body / frame Aluminum over Tubular Steel Spaceframe
driven wheels Mid Engine / RWD
front tires 245/40ZR17 Pirelli P-Zero
rear tires 335/35ZR17 Pirelli P-Zero
front brakes Brembro Vented Discs w/Vacuum Assist, 4-Pot Calipers
rear brakes Brembro Vented Discs w/Vacuum Assist, 4-Pot Calipers
front wheels F 43.2 x 22.9 cm / 17.0 x 9.0 in
rear wheels R 43.2 x 33.0 cm / 17.0 x 13.0 in
steering ZF Rack & Pinion w/Power Assist
f suspension Unequal Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Inboard Koni Dampers,, Anti-Ro
r suspension Unequal Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Inboard Koni Dampers,, Anti-Ro
weight 1701 kg / 3750 lbs
wheelbase 2690 mm / 105.9 in
front track 1610 mm / 63.4 in
rear track 1666 mm / 65.6 in
length 4493 mm / 176.9 in
width 2060 mm / 81.1 in
height 1115 mm / 43.9 in
transmission ZF Longitudinal 5-Speed Manual
final drive 2.97:1
top speed ~328.3 kph / 204.0 mph
0 - 60 mph ~4.5 seconds
