Zagato Chicane

Vehicle Overview

The 1981 Zagato Chicane was a concept car unveiled at the Turin Motor Show, designed as an advanced aerodynamic study by the renowned Milanese coachbuilder Zagato. It featured a striking and streamlined profile characterized by smooth surfaces, sharp angles, and a distinctive wedge-shaped silhouette. One of its most notable elements was the rear wheel covers, a design choice made to reduce aerodynamic drag and improve airflow along the car’s flanks. The enclosed wheels, combined with a truncated rear end and sharply sloped front windshield, emphasized the vehicle’s wind-cheating intent. The front fascia included concealed pop-up headlights, clean body lines, and a minimal grille, continuing the theme of aerodynamic purity. The proportions were low and wide, suggesting speed and modernity without relying on aggressive ornamentation. Although not intended for production, the Chicane was fully realized as a static prototype, embodying Zagato’s commitment to lightweight forms, simplicity of shape, and a focus on innovative solutions. Inside, the interior layout was presumed to be driver-oriented, though documentation is limited. It likely embraced a minimalistic dashboard with functional controls in line with the conceptual focus. The Chicane served primarily as a stylistic experiment, representing Zagato’s exploration into how form and airflow could be harmonized without compromising aesthetic integrity. The vehicle’s underpinnings were never disclosed in detail, and performance specifications were not part of its reveal, reinforcing its purpose as a design and aerodynamic exercise. The Zagato Chicane embodied the experimental ethos of early 1980s Italian concept cars, pushing boundaries in both visual language and aerodynamic function.