At this past weekend’s 2025 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, Zagato was once again in the spotlight for showcasing its latest coachbuilt cars. Besides the BMW M4 convertible-based Bovensiepen Zagato, the Milanese atelier also unveiled the Alfa Romeo DoppiaCoda: a one-off concept that reimagines the iconic 8C Competizione. A model in production between 2008 and 2010, the 8C also served as the base for the stunning Disco Volante by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera.
This particular build was Commissioned by an Italian collector, and is a follow-up to the six-cylinder Giulia SWB project from 2023. It pays tribute to the legendary 8C lineage, which dates back to the 1930s, when Alfa Romeo and Zagato first collaborated on race-winning cars.
“We may have just started a new chapter in Zagato design, focused on researching tail sections and exploring new aerodynamic and stylistic solutions to spark innovation. With the 8C DoppiaCoda, instead, we created a true fusion of round and truncated tails into a single body style—one that still preserves the functional benefits of both.” Andrea Michele Zagato, President of Zagato
The front facia features revised air intakes and a sharper headlight profile compared to the standard 8C. The black contrasting with Zagato’s signature double-bubble roof serves as a great visual contrast to the striking red paintwork. However, The highlight of this bespoke one-off commission is in the name; ‘DoppiaCoda’, which in Italian translates to ‘double tail.
Unlike a detachable tail-section seen on the AGTZ Twin-Tail, the DoppiaCoda combines two of Zagato’s most distinctive design codes: the signature the aerodynamic Kamm-tail (Coda Tronca), or truncated near-vertical tail section, and rounded-tail (Coda-Tonda), resulting in a singular, visually striking yet functional rear end. A contemporary interpretation of two classic design elements from the past, the wrap-around fixed wing, which appears detached when viewed from the rear, is actually hormonally integrated into the body and enhances both downforce and aesthetic appeal.
The Coda Tronca is a design solution traditionally used in extreme, race-inspired sports cars.But if applied directly to a high-class GT like the 8C, the tail would have felt visually heavy. That’s why this “wing tronca” was developed specifically for this car.”— Norihiko Harada, Chief Designer at Zagato
Although there’s no word on the 8C Doppiacoda’s exact performance specifications, the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione featured a 4.7-liter Ferrari/Maserati F136 Yc V8 engine under the hood, with 444 horsepower on tap, paired to a six-speed automated manual transmission. As previously mentioned, this is a bespoke one-off build with no plans for further production. The Alfa Romeo Doppiacoda won the Concept Car Cup at this year’s Villa d’Este, and not only does it serve as a reminder of beauty and individuality, but also a celebration of more than a century of collaboration between Zagato and Alfa Romeo.
Source: Zagato, Alfa Romeo