Alfa Romeo TZx Sauber: the forgotten concept by one of the designers of the 33 Stradale

In 2020, to mark the 110th anniversary ofAlfa RomeoCésar Barreau, then a student at Strate École de Design, came up with a concept that blended heritage and modernity: the Alfa Romeo TZx Sauber. This little-known project is probably a key element in the design history of a supercar well known to car enthusiasts: César Barreau is one of the design architects of the 33 Stradale.

A tribute to Alfa Romeo heritage

The Alfa Romeo TZx Sauber, as the name suggests, draws itson inspired by Alfa Romeo's legendary TZ seriesincluding the famous Alfa Romeo TZ2 launched in 1965. Barreau's concept stays true to the essence of these legendary cars while infusing a contemporary vision. The muscular, aerodynamic silhouette of the Sauber TZx, combined with a rear end reminiscent of the famous Disco Volante, echoes the timeless lines of the past while looking to the future.

The Alfa Romeo TZx concept is inspired by Alfa Romeo's legendary TZ series cars unveiled in 1963. The concept incorporates elements of Touring's legendary Disco Volante. - César Barreau

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The influence of Sauber and motorsport

But why add "Sauber" to the name of this concept? It's worth remembering that in 2020, Alfa Romeo was title sponsor of the Sauber Formula 1 teamwhich explains the inclusion of this name in the project. This partnership with F1, which was highly strategic for the brand at the time, undoubtedly influenced César Barreau's vision of combining the world of motor racing with that of sports car production.

The premonitory concept of a promising designer

Today, César Barreau is recognized for his work at Alfa Romeo as well as DS Automobiles. He trained at the École de Design de Nantes Atlantique, before joining Strate École de Design, where he specialized in automotive design. This young talent was a student when he designed the Alfa Romeo TZx Sauber concept. He had the opportunity to immerse himself in the world of automotive design in 2021, when he completed an internship at DS Automobiles, before joining Alfa Romeo as a trainee, then as a exterior designer of the 33 Stradale from January 2022 to November 2023under the direction of Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos.

The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, an exclusive supercar produced in just 33 units, pays homage to the Tipo 33 of the 1960s. Its exterior design is by César Barreau, while the interior is by Ivan Garcia.

With the delivery of the first 33 Stradale a few days agoCésar Barreau's vision became reality. The Alfa Romeo TZx Sauber was probably the defining achievement of his career.