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News4 August 2024 by Andreas 50 Viewed

Touring Superleggera to Unveil New Model

Touring Superleggera is set to participate in two of the year’s most prestigious automotive events, where the brand will unveil its latest vehicle, marking a new chapter in its storied history.

Event Participation

Automotive enthusiasts are invited to join Touring Superleggera at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering on August 16, 2024, and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 18, 2024. These events will celebrate the spirit of Italian elegance and performance.

The Unveiling of the New Model

At The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, Touring Superleggera will reveal a groundbreaking new model that heralds a new era for the brand.

This model encapsulates the brand’s dedication to performance, connection, and Italian heritage, marking a significant milestone in its journey. It reflects Touring Superleggera’s unwavering pursuit of unbridled performance, offering exhilarating driving dynamics powered by cutting-edge engineering.

Pure Italianità: The Spirit of Italian Elegance and Performance

The new vehicle emphasizes the man-machine connection, highlighting Touring Superleggera’s commitment to creating an immersive analogue driving experience where pure engineering and craftsmanship unite seamlessly. Every detail has been meticulously designed to forge a deep bond between the driver and the vehicle, ensuring a harmonious interaction that redefines automotive luxury.

The car embodies Pure Italianità, celebrating the brand’s Italian heritage through a design language that exudes elegance, innovation, and performance. The artistry and passion that define Touring Superleggera are evident in every curve and line, presenting a timeless aesthetic that speaks to the legacy of bespoke craftsmanship.

Design and Heritage

In bringing Touring Superleggera DNA to the USA with this new model, the brand returns to its logo visual appearance from the 1930s. This era marked the height of its design excellence, when Touring Superleggera established itself as a premier coachbuilder.

Participation in these prestigious events is a homage to this rich heritage. The vehicles showcased are meticulously crafted, reflecting the ingenuity and artistry that have defined Touring Superleggera for decades. Each car is a symbol of the brand’s enduring legacy, representing the perfect blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation.

Join the Quail Event

The unveiling will take place on August 16, 2024, from 8:55 AM Pacific Time.

Live Instagram and YouTube

The event will include a live press conference, streamed via a dedicated landing page, YouTube, and Instagram, offering an exclusive live look at Touring Superleggera’s latest creation.

Following the unveiling, the new vehicle will be showcased at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 18, 2024.

This prestigious event will provide a broader platform for enthusiasts and collectors to experience the car and appreciate its exceptional blend of design and performance.

Touring Superleggera invites everyone to witness this exciting unveiling and experience the essence of Italian automotive artistry.

the author

Andreas

Italian classic car enthusiast with German roots. Renowned as a respected figure in the classic car community, he serves as a jury member at various international concours d'elegance, including the Classic Gala Schwetzingen and Mantova. As a content creator, Andreas passionately shares his profound knowledge and appreciation for vintage automobiles. His heart beats for cars designed by Giovanni Michelotti, showcasing his discerning taste and dedication to preserving the timeless elegance of automotive history.

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Photo courtesy of Auto Storica

The Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer (BB), produced from 1973 to 1984, stands as one of Ferrari’s most radical shifts in design and engineering, thanks to the collaborative work with Pininfarina. The BB was Ferrari’s first mid-engine road car, marking a significant departure from Enzo Ferrari’s long-standing preference for front-engine designs. Its introduction signified a new chapter for Ferrari, aligning more closely with the trends set by other supercar manufacturers at the time.

Origins and Design Inspiration

Designed under the direction of Leonardo Fioravanti, the Ferrari 365 GT4 BB (the first iteration of the BB series) debuted at the 1971 Turin Auto Show, and production began in 1973. One fascinating anecdote about the car is that its “BB” initials reportedly stood for Brigitte Bardot, the famous French actress, which was a codename used during development and remained with the model​.

The BB’s design was sleek and revolutionary. It featured a wedge-shaped, low-profile body, which became a staple of 1970s supercar aesthetics. One of its unique design elements was the bicolored bodywork, with a black lower section that visually slimmed the car while emphasizing its elongated shape. Its pop-up headlights and minimalist, flowing lines were indicative of Pininfarina’s ability to combine functionality with elegance, helping the car stand out from its competitors​.

Mid-Engine Innovation

Before the BB series, Ferrari had always adhered to front-engine layouts for its road cars, famously stating, “Never put the cart before the horse.” However, the mid-engine layout, which Ferrari had already used in its Dino models, became necessary as rivals like Lamborghini began popularizing the mid-engine format in supercars.

The 512 BB (introduced in 1976) featured a 5.0-liter flat-12 engine, mounted in the middle of the car, right behind the driver, delivering 360 horsepower. While this engine was commonly referred to as a “Boxer,” it was technically a 180-degree V12, not a true Boxer engine. In a true Boxer engine, opposing pistons move in opposite directions, but in the 512 BB, they moved simultaneously in the same direction​ This flat configuration allowed for a lower center of gravity, which significantly improved the car’s handling.

Performance and Engineering Marvels

The 512 BB was more than just a stylish car—it was a high-performance machine capable of a top speed of 302 km/h (187 mph) and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.4 seconds. The car’s engineering wasn’t just limited to its engine. It featured independent suspension on all four wheels and a sophisticated five-speed manual transmission mounted below the engine, showcasing Ferrari’s commitment to performance.

Over the years, the BB saw several iterations. The BB 512i, introduced in the early 1980s, swapped the carburetors for Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, which lowered emissions and improved fuel efficiency without sacrificing too much power. Although the power dropped slightly to 340 hp, it remained one of the fastest road cars of its era​.

Legacy and Influence

The BB series laid the groundwork for Ferrari’s later mid-engine supercars, such as the Ferrari Testarossa, which succeeded the BB 512i in 1984. It also marked a significant shift for Ferrari, transitioning from the era of front-engine grand tourers to mid-engine supercars.

Today, the Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer remains a prized collector’s item. Its combination of cutting-edge design by Pininfarina, revolutionary mid-engine layout, and Ferrari’s racing heritage makes it one of the most iconic cars in the brand’s history. With only 387 units produced of the original 365 GT4 BB, and slightly more of the later 512 BB and BB 512i models, its rarity further solidifies its place in the pantheon of classic supercars.

The Ferrari BB, both for its groundbreaking design and engineering, represents one of Ferrari’s most influential models. Its innovations in the mid-engine supercar market, coupled with Pininfarina’s masterful styling, continue to captivate enthusiasts and collectors to this day.

Which Ferrari model is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

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