It is not every day that a car appears capable of combining the charm of great Italian sports cars with completely handmade execution. That is the bet of Touring Superleggera, the historic Italian coachbuilder that decided to celebrate its centenary with a creation that focuses on the emotions of driving.

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His new project is called Veloce12 Aperta and takes the Ferrari 550 Maranello as a starting point to give it a totally different personality. The result is a very limited production grand tourer that retains the prominence of the naturally aspirated V12 engine, a configuration that is increasingly less common in the industry.

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More than a simple modification, this model seeks to reinterpret one of the most remembered Ferraris from the end of the last century, incorporating modern solutions without losing the classic character that made the original vehicle famous.

A tribute to a century of history

Touring Superleggera was founded in Milan in 1926 and became a reference thanks to its particular philosophy of lightweight construction. Throughout its history it collaborated in the development of some of the most emblematic designs of manufacturers such as Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Maserati and Ferrari.

With the Veloce12 Aperta, the company once again demonstrates that it continues to focus on artisanal manufacturing and exclusive projects aimed at collectors looking for something different from mass-produced models.

The intention is also to pay tribute to a time when large naturally aspirated engines were absolute protagonists, even as the industry moves towards electrification.

A V12 that keeps tradition alive

The heart of the Veloce12 Aperta remains a 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine, although it received significant improvements to increase its performance.

Thanks to a completely redesigned cooling system and a new exhaust, power reaches 503 horsepower, about 25 additional horsepower compared to the Ferrari 550 from which it is derived.

The driving experience also retains one of the elements most appreciated by purists, a six-speed manual transmission that seeks to maintain the direct connection between the driver and the machine.

More technology without losing the essence

Although the focus of the project is clearly analog, the Touring Superleggera incorporated several improvements to optimize dynamic behavior.

The vehicle has a reinforced chassis to increase structural rigidity, an adaptive suspension with different operating modes, larger brakes and a cooling system whose efficiency improves by around 30%. The new exhaust was also designed to highlight the characteristic sound of the V12.

Exclusive design and limited production

The aesthetic section is one of the main protagonists of this project. The entire body was developed in carbon fiber and presents a completely different image from that of the original Ferrari 550.

Its designer, Matteo Gentile, took inspiration from both the elegant Italian Gran Turismos of the mid-20th century and the great white shark, seeking a balance between aerodynamic efficiency and elegance.

The body lines, muscular wheel arches and large air intakes serve an aesthetic function and also improve aerodynamic flow. In addition, the roof incorporates removable panels that allow the vehicle to be transformed into a roadster whenever the driver wishes.

Another exclusive detail appears in the “Aperta” emblem, made of 24 carat gold, an element that further accentuates the artisanal nature of the model.

Touring Superleggera did not confirm how many units of the Veloce12 Aperta it will manufacture, although it did announce that it will be a very small production. It also did not reveal its official price, but estimates point to a figure close to $800,000, an amount in line with the level of exclusivity and customization offered by this reinterpretation of one of the most iconic Ferraris of the modern era.