In celebration of the 1952 Alfa Romeo Disco Volante sports car, affectionately known as ‘The Flying Saucer’, Milan-based coach builder, Touring Superleggera, has unveiled their Disco Volante concept at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.
Developed for the race track, the 1952 Disco Volante was based on an Alfa Romeo 1900 C and quickly became a design classic, with some whispering it influenced the E-Type Jaguar. Three versions were made: an open-roofed racer and two different coupe styles. Racing pilot Fangio had a 3.5-litre version, a significant step up from the standard 118 kW 2.0-litre original.
The Disco Volante 2012 may look like just another concept car, but Touring Superleggera says it will produce a “very limited run” of the sexy coupe for customers who desire an exclusive, sporty grand tourer.
The 2012 Disco Volante uses the stunning Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione as a platform, with a new body that is constructed from hand-beaten aluminium panels and carbon fibre.
A 4.7-litre V8 sits under the bonnet, producing 330 kW and 480 Nm of torque. A six-speed paddle-shift transmission sends power to the rear wheels and Touring Superleggera says its inherited limited-slip differential, double-wishbone suspension and large ventilated brakes, create precise, agile and thrilling driving dynamics.
The price and rarity of an Alfa Romeo 8C donor car, combined with the estimated 4 000 hours of labour required to sculpt a 2012 Disco Volante, mean this car is a guaranteed collectors item and one that will cost many, many Euros.