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News17 August 2024 by Andreas 83 Viewed

Touring Superleggera Unveils the Veloce12

Touring Superleggera has announced the launch of the Veloce12, an exclusive, meticulously handcrafted Grand Tourer that marries the classic elegance of Italian coachbuilding with cutting-edge engineering. Inspired by the Ferrari 550 Maranello, the Veloce12 is a modern marvel that harks back to Touring’s storied past while pushing the boundaries of contemporary automotive design.

The Veloce12 is the epitome of luxury and performance, designed for driving purists who seek an unfiltered, analogue experience. Limited to just 30 units, each car will require over 5,000 hours of craftsmanship, with production beginning in Q1 2025. This exclusive creation offers a combination of elegance, speed, and exquisite craftsmanship that defines the art of grand touring.

Design: An Ode to Purity and Poise

The Veloce12’s design pays homage to mid-20th century Italian coachbuilding while embracing the most advanced contemporary innovations. The car’s carbon fiber body is sculpted with flowing lines and sleek surfaces, creating a seamless blend of grace and power. Every aspect of the design has been optimized for both aesthetics and aerodynamics through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) studies. Additionally, FEM modal analysis ensures the structural integrity and stability of the vehicle, enhancing performance while maintaining its lightweight agility.

“With the Veloce12, we’ve honored our rich heritage while embracing modernity,” said Matteo Gentile, Head of Design at Touring Superleggera. “It is a testament to Touring’s legacy, and a glimpse into the future of grand touring excellence.”

Engineering: Precision and Power

At the heart of the Veloce12 is a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter F133 V12 engine, delivering 503 horsepower and 419 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the original Ferrari 550 Maranello. With a 0-100 km/h time of just 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph), the Veloce12 combines power with finesse. Enhanced cooling systems and a symphonically tuned exhaust courtesy of Supersprint ensure the engine performs at its peak, offering the raw, exhilarating sound that only a naturally aspirated V12 can provide.

Each engine undergoes a thorough inspection and rebuild process to ensure it is restored to as-new condition, while the chassis is reinforced for increased torsional rigidity. Advanced suspension technology developed with TracTive allows drivers to adjust the damping for a perfect balance of comfort and performance, no matter the road conditions.

Interior: An Italian Masterpiece

Inside the Veloce12, drivers are enveloped in a luxurious cabin that exudes Italian craftsmanship. Hand-stitched leather, meticulously selected materials, and ergonomically designed seats create a space that merges opulence with driver-centric performance. Every detail has been carefully considered to provide an immersive and comfortable driving experience, blending old-world craftsmanship with modern innovation.

A Commitment to Craftsmanship and Innovation

Touring Superleggera’s heritage in coachbuilding remains at the forefront of the Veloce12’s development. With nearly 100 years of experience, the Milan-based company continues to push the boundaries of bespoke automotive design. Advanced engineering techniques ensure every aspect of the Veloce12 meets the highest standards of quality, safety, and performance.

“The Veloce12 is a bold step forward for our brand,” said Markus Tellenbach, CEO of Touring Superleggera. “It advances our legacy by pushing the boundaries of design and performance, while maintaining the elegance and sophistication that define our cars.”

Availability and Pricing

The Touring Veloce12 is available to order now, with a starting price of €690,000, excluding taxes and the donor Ferrari 550 Maranello. Each car comes with a three-year warranty, while the engine is covered for one year or 7,000 miles, whichever comes first.

A New Era for Grand Touring

The Veloce12 stands as a statement of Touring Superleggera’s commitment to crafting extraordinary vehicles that deliver unparalleled driving experiences. It is a celebration of the past, a showcase of the present, and a vision of the future in luxury grand touring.

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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