Touring Superleggera Disco Volante 2012 Touches Down in Geneva

Mar. 07, 2012 7:19 AM ET by Adam Lynton / 33 Comments

Based on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, the Disco Volante 2012 will be a car that only a handful of enthusiasts will have the chance to own.

The Milan-based coachbuilder is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the 1952 Alfa Romeo C52 "Disco Volante" with a modern-day tribute in the form of the Disco Volante 2012. Based on the space-frame chassis of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, the static style model will be built in a very limited run as per Touring's recent tradition. The C52 was destined for a racing career and based upon extreme aerodynamic research that lead to an impressive 0.25 drag coefficient.

Its futuristic shape designed at the start of the space age lent it the name 'Flying Saucer' and influenced the automotive design for decades. The modern interpretation of its 1952 ancestor, with a curious front width and powerful rear wings, remains true to the essential shape and echoes its timeless design. The 8C space-frame chassis has been dressed in hand-beaten aluminum panels and carbon-fiber, while maintaining its mechanical package. Hence under the hood lies a longitudinally-mounted 4.7-liter V8 engine that delivers 450hp and 354lb-ft of torque.

To ensure drivers enjoy an agile, thrilling ride, a six-speed transaxle gearbox with paddle-shift control, limited-slip differential, double-wishbone suspension and large ventilated brakes are also included. Customers looking for 'an exclusive, sporty grand tourer' should expect to pay north of $300,000 for the Disco Volante 2012, which will be coach-built to order.

Source Credits: www.autoblog.com

Touring Superleggera Disco Volante 2012 Touches Down in Geneva

Join The Discussion

Gallery