Zagato-Rivolta Launch U.S. Design Facility

Automotive Industries, May, 1999 by Lindsay Brooke

Two of Italy's prestige design firms, Rivolta and Zagato, have formed a joint-venture to provide concept-to-prototype design and engineering services for automotive and industrial clients in the U.S. Based in Sarasota, Fla., the Rivolta Engineering & Marketing-Zagato partnership follows other famous European engineering consultancies, including Lotus, Porsche and most recently, Karmann, into the world's most lucrative auto market.

Rivolta is best known for its '60s and '70s sports cars powered by American V-8s, including the Iso Grifo and Rivolta GT. The company recently introduced in Europe a city car called the Isigo (ee-zee-go). With gas or diesel power, stainless steel chassis and one-piece composite body, it is being marketed as an alternative to motor scooters.

Famed coachbuilder Zagato's current fortunes are tied mainly to industrial and marine design, counting the city of Milan's new streetcars and custom yachts among its recent work.