It's been 60 years since the 1952 Alfa Romeo C52 Disco Volante concepts lounged on the stages of the world's auto shows, and Touring Superleggera has taken to marking the occasion with a Disco Volante of its own, a striking coupe that has just debuted at this year's Geneva Motor Show.
The modern flying saucer pays homage to its ancestors with flat-top fenders and a split grille. Even so, it's hard to miss the vehicle's donor. Not surprisingly, the new Disco Volante is built on the bones of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, and relies on the same 4.7-liter V8 found in that machine. As such, buyers can look forward to 443 horsepower pumped exclusively to the rear wheels.
That's right. We said "buyers." This Disco Volante will be available in limited quantities (the company isn't saying how limited), though expect to pay a pretty penny for each one. Touring Superleggera says each example will be coachbuilt to order. Look below for the full press release after checking out our high-res gallery.
The modern flying saucer pays homage to its ancestors with flat-top fenders and a split grille. Even so, it's hard to miss the vehicle's donor. Not surprisingly, the new Disco Volante is built on the bones of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, and relies on the same 4.7-liter V8 found in that machine. As such, buyers can look forward to 443 horsepower pumped exclusively to the rear wheels.
That's right. We said "buyers." This Disco Volante will be available in limited quantities (the company isn't saying how limited), though expect to pay a pretty penny for each one. Touring Superleggera says each example will be coachbuilt to order. Look below for the full press release after checking out our high-res gallery.
Touring Superleggera announces the Disco Volante 2012 to be unveiled at Geneva Motor Show
The international stage of the 2012 Geneva Motor Show will witness yet another world premiere
from Touring Superleggera. The Milan-based coachbuilder celebrates the 60th anniversary of the
1952 Alfa Romeo C 52 "Disco Volante" with a tribute to its sporting heritage, the Disco Volante
2012.
The 2012 Disco Volante is a static style model based on the space-frame chassis of the Alfa
Romeo 8C Competizione. As in the recent tradition of Touring, it will be coach-built in a very limited run for customers in search of an exclusive, sporty grand tourer.
Historically Touring was often prompted by the dynamic properties of the finest Alfa Romeo
chassis to develop groundbreaking shapes. The C52 is one of the best examples. Destined for a
racing career, it was based upon extreme aerodynamic research, achieving an impressive 0.25
drag coefficient. It was nicknamed "Disco Volante", or Flying Saucer, for its futuristic shape right in the beginning of the space age, and influenced the automotive design for decades.
The design conveys the spirit of the streamlining, sporty and essential shape of the 1952 ancestor, adding elements of drama, such as the unusual front width and the powerful rear wings, to the typical Touring paradigm of timeless design.
The new body dresses the 8C space frame chassis with hand-beaten aluminium panels and
carbon fibre elements, assembled by the artisans of the Milanese atelier to the customary world
class quality standards.
The Disco Volante 2012 maintains the mechanical package of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione,
with its longitudinally mounted, 4.7 litres V8 engine delivering 450PS and 480Nm peak torque. The 6-speed transaxle gearbox with paddle-shift control, limited-slip differential, double-wishbone suspension and large diameter, ventilated brakes ensure precision, agility and thrilling performance.
The international stage of the 2012 Geneva Motor Show will witness yet another world premiere
from Touring Superleggera. The Milan-based coachbuilder celebrates the 60th anniversary of the
1952 Alfa Romeo C 52 "Disco Volante" with a tribute to its sporting heritage, the Disco Volante
2012.
The 2012 Disco Volante is a static style model based on the space-frame chassis of the Alfa
Romeo 8C Competizione. As in the recent tradition of Touring, it will be coach-built in a very limited run for customers in search of an exclusive, sporty grand tourer.
Historically Touring was often prompted by the dynamic properties of the finest Alfa Romeo
chassis to develop groundbreaking shapes. The C52 is one of the best examples. Destined for a
racing career, it was based upon extreme aerodynamic research, achieving an impressive 0.25
drag coefficient. It was nicknamed "Disco Volante", or Flying Saucer, for its futuristic shape right in the beginning of the space age, and influenced the automotive design for decades.
The design conveys the spirit of the streamlining, sporty and essential shape of the 1952 ancestor, adding elements of drama, such as the unusual front width and the powerful rear wings, to the typical Touring paradigm of timeless design.
The new body dresses the 8C space frame chassis with hand-beaten aluminium panels and
carbon fibre elements, assembled by the artisans of the Milanese atelier to the customary world
class quality standards.
The Disco Volante 2012 maintains the mechanical package of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione,
with its longitudinally mounted, 4.7 litres V8 engine delivering 450PS and 480Nm peak torque. The 6-speed transaxle gearbox with paddle-shift control, limited-slip differential, double-wishbone suspension and large diameter, ventilated brakes ensure precision, agility and thrilling performance.
Featured Gallery Touring Superleggera Disco Volante Concept: Geneva 2012
View 10 Photos
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