ATS 2500 GTS

Vehicle Overview

The ATS 2500 GTS is a distinguished sports car produced by the Italian company Automobili Turismo e Sport (ATS) in Bologna. Known for being the first Italian vehicle, and among the first globally, to feature a mid-engine layout, it marked a significant innovation in sports car design. The chassis, made its debut in 1963 at the Paris Motor Show, capturing attention with its advanced engineering and sleek design. The car was designed by the renowned Franco Scaglione and engineered by notable figures Carlo Chiti and Giotto Bizzarrini. Despite its innovative design and impressive performance, the ATS 2500 GTS was produced in limited numbers due to financial difficulties. The project’s collapse was precipitated by investors withdrawing their support, leading to its premature end. The car’s design later influenced Count Volpi’s Serenissima sports car project, which also failed to take off. In 1970, Moreno Baldi attempted to revive the ATS concept, but this effort ended in an even more significant failure. Powered by an engine producing 220 bhp (164 kW)—with some sources claiming 210 bhp—the ATS 2500 GTS delivered 255 N⋅m (188 ft⋅lbf) of torque. These specifications allowed it to reach a top speed of 240 km/h (149 mph), a remarkable feat for its time. A competition version of the car, the 2500 GTS, was developed to produce 245 bhp (183 kW), but it did not achieve significant success in the racing world. The ATS 2500 GTS was coachbuilt by Allemano, a renowned Italian coachbuilder, ensuring that the car’s aesthetics matched its performance capabilities. The transmission was a 5-speed unit produced by Colotti, further emphasizing the car’s advanced engineering and high-performance design. Despite its brief production run and the financial struggles that led to its downfall, the ATS 2500 GTS remains a notable chapter in the history of sports cars. Its pioneering mid-engine layout and the involvement of key figures in the automotive industry highlight its significance. The ATS 2500 GTS is remembered for its ambition and the innovative spirit that characterized the early 1960s era of automotive design and engineering.