The exterior tried to retain the original feeling offered by the 1952 Disco Volante model, but the interior offers a contemporary feeling, or, as the maker calls it, a "science fiction" feel. Unlike the 1952 model, the new Disco Volante received a slightly higher bonnet needed for engine-bay ventilation, but the Touring Superleggera tried to retain the original proportions by as much as possible. The model combines ingredients like "innovation, emotion and aerodynamic properties into a timeless and essential shape." On the exterior, the new Disco Volante takes its design inspiration from the 1952 Alfa Romeo C52 Disco Volante, but it offers it a modern interpretation. As in the old days, the panels are mounted on a frame, which in this case is constructed from carbon-fibre as well. The 8C rolling chassis is clothed in a body that is a mix of carbon-fibre composite and aluminium panels. That means the Disco Volante boasts a 450 hp V8, mated to a paddle operated six-speed gearbox. The 4,000 man hour process starts with one of the 500 Alfa Romeo 8C Competiziones built, which is stripped inside and out, while the actual chassis and running gear are left untouched. A year later, a third example was shown in Geneva and Touring Superleggera, the production run would eventually consist of eight Disco Volantes. At the time, it was still referred to as a Touring Disco Volante but, no doubt helped by the universal praise the car received, Alfa Romeo officially sanctioned the Disco Volante a few weeks later. Potential customers were invited to supply an 8C for the six-month conversion.Īt least one customer stepped forward and at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the first complete car was shown. Designed to be draped over an Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione chassis, the car on display in 2012 was a non functional, full-scale model. Only five were made in total, namely a Spider, a Coupé, a slimmer “fianchi stretti” (narrow side) version with wings closer to the wheels and two Spiders with 6C 3000 mechanics, delivering 230 HP and clocking a top speed of 240 km/h.At the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, Touring Superleggera showed a modern interpretation of the coupe version of the legendary Alfa Romeo Disco Volante created 60 years earlier by the Italian carrozzeria. Its remarkably light weight of just 735 kilograms and very streamline aerodynamics propelled the 1900 C52 Disco Volante to a top speed in excess of 220 km/h. Independent quadrilateral transversal front suspension, coil springs and hydraulic shocks, rigid rear axle with upper triangle and lower struts, coil springs and hydraulic shocks. Longitudinal front engine, four-speed gearbox and rear-wheel drive. Power was upped from 100 to 158 hp at 6500 rpm, as a result of raised peak rpm, slightly oversized bore, adjusted compression ratio from 7.7 to 8.7:1, and two double-barrel carburettors. It was all built around the twin-cam engine of the 1900 Sprint, with light alloy crankcase and head, V arrangement, two chain-driven overhead camshafts and two double-barrel carburettors. The racing-worthy numbers of the aerodynamic Spider were impressive: 158 horsepower and just 735 kilograms of weight meant that the Alfa Romeo C52 Disco Volante had a top speed in excess of 220 km/h. In-depth aerodynamic studies also included the analysis of side currents for the first time. The unusual Spider had bulging wings over the wheels which joined seamlessly with the streamline low-slung line, making it look like a sort of spaceship, hence its name. The originality of the car which led to it being named “Disco Volante” was the bodywork styled by Touring. The 1900 was the first Alfa Romeo with monocoque body shell chassis but a tubular steel chassis with side rails was made for the C52 for racing. So the decision was taken to make a prototype for competing in the two-litre Sports car class. These were also the two years of undisputed victories in the fledgling Formula 1 World Championship with the Alfetta winning race after race and contributed to consolidating the worldwide prestige of the Italian auto maker in a major fashion. It was the moment of the 1900, a car created to reach out to a broader clientele than the gorgeous 6C 2500, which would stay in production a little longer. This was the groundwork for the creation of a Sports car prototype designed by Touring in 1952, which for its originality and flamboyant design would be known as the “Disco Volante” (Italian for "Flying Saucer").įor the first time after the war, in the 1950s, Alfa Romeo returned to making cars with four-cylinder engines and, even more importantly, adopting the new industrial approach of mass production. Alfa Romeo kicked off production of the 1900 in 1950, while the Alfetta was prepping for a two-year winning streak in F1.
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