motor

Bernardo · 04-28-2008, 01:10 PM

Some of the news coming from the Concorso D’Eleganza Villa D’Este was totally unexpected, such as the M1 Hommage, but some others were highly anticipated. The best example is the return of the Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, with the Maserati Bellagio, but the resurrecting company also had a new vehicle in its sleeve, the Maserati A8GCS Berlinetta Touring.

It is a pity the official website of Touring Superleggera does not have any images of the new car, only a teasing profile, but the Italian car website OmniAuto.it has published many pictures of it and we can say that the results were worth paying attention to.

Although the A8GCS seems to be a modified GranTurismo, the car is totally new. It only shares the engine and the transmission with the Italian coupe. Instead of being a monocoque vehicle, for example, the A8GCS it is a body on frame car, with a trelice frame and the body placed over it. This sort of structure allows the car to be incredibly light, only about 1,200 kg, according to OmniAuto.it. The engine is placed in the front middle of the car, what makes it have the characteristic long hood and the small and short cabin.

There is little information on production or prices, but it is very likely that this car will find a few owners around the world. People that can afford an exclusive and personalized piece of engineering and design. Although they are not much, we are glad they exist, so that we may have the chance to see the A8GCS in the streets and not only in auto shows.

Source: OmniAuto.it via Autoblog.nl

Bernardo · 04-28-2008, 01:10 PM

To be honest I really like It, except for the rims.

enzoferrari · 04-28-2008, 01:58 PM

To be honest I really like It, except for the rims.

100% agree,the rims have to go,the rest of the car is very nice,any interior pic?

HeilSvenska · 04-28-2008, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by Bernardo

To be honest I really like It, except for the rims.

But the wheels are only following the Superleggera tradition, maximum weight saving. Form follows function.

I don't care about the interior. I just want to see beneath the sheet metal.

Bernardo · 05-03-2008, 06:07 PM

Touring Superleggera Cars’ Official Pictures Released
A8GCS and Bellagio specs also

For the ones who have not had the chance to be present at the 2008 edition of the Concorso D’Eleganza Villa D’Este, where, among others, the BMW M1 Homage has been presented, nor have read our previous article on the Maserati A8GCS Berlinetta Touring , here is your chance to see the little coupé and the other car Touring Superleggera has created in order to get back to life, the Bellagio Fastback Touring. Besides the pictures, the design studio has also released more information on both cars, including the technical specs.

The most important news about Touring Superleggera cars is that anyone who can afford them will be able to order one. The A8GCS is only 4,20 m long, what has even spreaded the rumour Maserati would be planning to create a small coupe of its own. Considering the potential of this market, and the fact that the A8GCS will cost as much as a larger coupé, due to the fact it is hand built, Maserati should really consider this possibility.

Besides its size, we can also say A8GCS uses 19-inch alloy wheels (a beautiful Borrani model), it carries two people and 315 litres of luggage and uses Brembo brakes.

Both Bellagio and A8GCS use a 400 bhp V8 engine, but Bellagio has to deal with a lot more weight (1,919 kg, against about 1.200 kg from the coupe), but the shooting brake compensates that with a lot of space for its four passengers and their luggage. There is 500 litres of boot capacity. Anyway, Quattroporte-based Bellagio still reaches a top speed of 275 km/h and goes from stand still to 100 km/h in 5.2 s. Amazing cars, that deserve some more attention from us all.

enzoferrari · 05-03-2008, 07:15 PM

I like the how it looks on the first pic.

silentm · 05-05-2008, 04:03 PM

hmm a very controversial design... i really like the overall shape and how it looks on the first picture but then the wheels just don't fit with the overall more futuristic look. it almost looks like the guys at Maserati are trying too hard.

HeilSvenska · 05-05-2008, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by silentm

but then the wheels just don't fit with the overall more futuristic look. it almost looks like the guys at Maserati are trying too hard.

Cough, lightweight. Cough, Touring.