With Italian coachbuilders like Bertone and Pininfarina struggling to retain profitability, now may not be the best time to establish (or re-establish) another. But that isn't about to stop Holland-based Zeta Europe BV, which owns Borrani wheels and has acquired the rights to the defunct Carrozzeria Touring. The coachbuilder was originally established in 1926 and popularized the advanced Superleggera construction method, consisting of small-diameter tubular frames draped with thin-gauge aluminum sheetmetal and employed on numerous Alfa Romeos, Maseratis, Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Aston Martins, among others. The name Superleggera was revived for the recently-terminated lightweight Lamborghini Gallardo, though strictly speaking the supercar did not use the classic construction method.

Carrozzeria Touring is now gearing up for a revival with a new Superleggera, to debut in a week at the famous Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, the classic motor show where a trophy honoring Touring's founder is awarded each year. Aside from the teaser silhouette image shown above, little is known about the new Superleggera, but we're looking forward to finding out. The coachbuilder is also anticipated to show the Ballagio Fastback, an estate wagon based on the Maserati Quattroporte (like the one on which we previously reported), previewed by a teaser mixed in with the classic images on the company's new website.

[Source: VirtualCar and AutoWeek]

Carrozzeria Touring coming back with new Superleggera and Bellagio Fastback originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maserati may be finally turning a profit, but it still can't have it both ways. As we previously reported, the Trident marque is apparently looking to have 911rival join its lineup instead of building the Kubang crossover. And while that may be good news for most of us, one oil-rich Arab sheik was hoping for something more versatile. Fortunately for him, cost is no object, so he's commissioning a Maserati wagon of his own.

The unnamed Middle Eastern customer, who has previously ordered several bespoke Ferrari estate wagons, has commissioned this shooting-brake version of the Maserati Quattroporte. Dubbed "Cinqueporte," the coachbuilt special currently exists only as a quarter-scale model, but is being realized by Italian design ateliers StudioM and StudioTorino. The coachbuilders will extend the roofline, craft folding rear seats and move the fuel tank to increase the Maserati's utility. While the cost of the project has also not been disclosed, one of StudioM's previous projects involved crafting a €350k custom interior for another customer's Quattroporte. This thing's not going to come cheap.

[Source: Italiaspeed]

Gallery: Maserati Cinqueporte

Maserati 'Cinqueporte' by StudioM & StudioTorino originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Feb 2008 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.