Wednesday 7th March 2012

Geneva 2012: Disco Volante 2012

Curvy Alfa-based coupe with a thumping V8 from Touring Superleggera. What's not to like?

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This is the Disco Volante 2012. It's not a Milanese nightclub, as the name might suggest, but an Alfa 8C-based concept by Italian coachbuilders Touring Superleggera that's been unveiled at the Geneva show.

Designed as a curvy homage to the Alfa Romeo C52 Disco Volante of 1952, the two-seat coupe will be built in small numbers, says the Carrozzeria.

But if you want one you'll first have to get yourself an 8C - for it is that car's platform and 450hp V8 that underpins the Disco, after which they'll throw most of the Alfa away, and turn it into a Disco with swoopy hand-beaten aluminium and carbon fibre body work.

[gforceg]

Hmmmm, not bad but a bit of a shame an 8C has to go west so this can be built.

[Nurburgsingh]

Wasn't that the name of the bad guys boat in a James Bond film?? The one with Kim Bassinger in it??

[erics]

At least something original in a world 'always the same thing'

[soad]

Nurburgsingh said:

Wasn't that the name of the bad guys boat in a James Bond film?? The one with Kim Bassinger in it??

I think so:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disco_Volante_(ship)

[Fittster]

More dull retro styling exercises.

[fozzymandeus]

"Flying Saucer"?

[kiteless]

I like it.

It's a good, modern representation of one of Alfa's more delicious classic offerings.

from me

[williamp]

Looks quite close to the original from the early 50s. fangio raced in the Mille MIglia in one, and was leading until towards the end. He kept going and finsihed well depsite one rack rod end broken and the front wheels pointing in different directions

[tommy vercetti]

Certainly different, I like it.

[pSyCoSiS]

Hmmm.

Nice and very different.

[torquespeak]

Marchionne: "This wasn't what I had in mind when I said we should make a Disco Volante..."

[Tiger Two]

It's nice, but I wouldn't murder an 8C for one...

[Stu R]

Laughable.

[Enricogto]

Well, tbh a better translation of disco volante is the more generic UFO.

Anyway, good styling but a shame to destroy an 8C.
On the same "league" I much prefer the TZ3.

E

[Chunkychucky]

Enricogto said:

Well, tbh a better translation of disco volante is the more generic UFO.

Anyway, good styling but a shame to destroy an 8C.
On the same "league" I much prefer the TZ3.

E

x2, waste of an 8CF IMO, TZ3 was better but still a waste..

[Carfolio]

erics said:

At least something original in a world 'always the same thing'

Not so original, of course ;-)

[kambites]

Why on earth use something as rare as an 8C for it? Surely there must have been something more readily available (and hence cheaper) than they could have based it on; maybe the Maserati GranTourismo.

[JonRB]

Nurburgsingh said:

Wasn't that the name of the bad guys boat in a James Bond film?? The one with Kim Bassinger in it??

Kim Basinger? You young pup! That was a remake of the original James Bond film.

[bubney72]

Needs different rims I'd say. One's that look like turbines.

[Raramuri]

I can't argue, that is absolutely beautiful. It would be a crime/absolute insanity however to chop up an 8C to build one though.

Now if somebody had a severely crashed 8C with salvageable oily bits then I see a more morally justifiable scenario.

Also as others have mentioned - what of the Maser GT as base? I'm of the understanding that the GT and 8C have a degree of common DNA. Once again a bent GT could be a sane way forward.