Touring Superleggera

Touring Superleggera (officially Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera) is a premier coachbuilding design and custom manufacturing brand originating from Italy. It was jointly established in 1926 by Felice Bianchi Anderloni and Gaetano Ponzoni in Milan. The brand is world-renowned for its "Superleggera" tubular frame bodywork process, patented in 1936, which earned it the title of the "coachbuilder among coachbuilders."

Historically, Touring crafted classic bodies for luxury brands such as Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Aston Martin. Its engineering prowess contributed to significant racing successes, including 11 overall championships in the Mille Miglia endurance race and multiple victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and various Grand Prix events.

The brand gradually fell into obscurity in the late 1960s due to shifts in automotive manufacturing technology but was successfully revived in 2006. Since its revival, Touring Superleggera has focused on producing exclusive custom cars, limited-edition hand-built models, and concept cars, while continuing to provide design and engineering services for global OEMs.

History

The Touring story began in the golden age of European coachbuilding in the early 20th century. In 1926, Felice Bianchi Anderloni, who came from a family of lawyers but switched to becoming a test driver, and his lawyer friend Gaetano Ponzoni opened Carrozzeria Touring in northern Milan. After its establishment, the brand quickly secured important orders from Alfa Romeo and Isotta Fraschini. In 1931, Touring’s works swept almost all top awards at the Villa d'Este Concours of Elegance on Lake Como. The newly designed "Flying Star" shape was applied to models of multiple brands simultaneously, marking the brand's official entry into the ranks of top-tier coachbuilders.

The Superleggera lightweight technology was patented in 1936. This technique uses small-diameter steel tubes welded into a structural frame conforming to the body outline, which is then covered with thin aluminum sheets for forming. This approach achieved extreme light weight while granting designers high shape flexibility, becoming Touring's most recognizable technical symbol for decades.

From 1937, Touring became the main body supplier for the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 series, widely recognized as the top-tier sports car of the time. Its Spider, Berlinetta, and Le Mans aerodynamic Coupe versions are still regarded as peaks in automotive design history. In 1940, the BMW 328 Berlinetta Aerodynamica Touring, built by Touring, triumphed to win the overall championship at the Mille Miglia race.

After World War II, Touring entered its most brilliant twenty years. Enzo Ferrari himself personally selected Touring as his favored coachbuilder. Early classic models such as the Ferrari 166 MM (1948) featured bodies designed by Touring. Subsequently, Touring successively designed bodies for the Maserati 3500 GT (1956), the first Lamborghini 350 GT (1964) and 400 GT, and participated in the lightweight body design of the Aston Martin DB4, DB5, and DB6, three iconic models. During this period, Touring was not only a coachbuilder but also began undertaking serial production orders from multiple OEMs, effectively developing into a large-scale manufacturer.

In the late 1960s, with the popularization of monocoque body technology and the acceleration of automotive manufacturing industrialization, the traditional coachbuilding industry suffered heavy blows. Touring's business gradually shrank, and it substantially closed down from the late 1960s to the early 1970s. Although the brand made attempts at phased recovery, it remained in a state of stagnation for a long time.

In 2006, the Touring Superleggera brand was successfully revived, starting anew as a design studio focusing on exclusive custom cars, limited-edition hand-built models, and concept cars. Since the restart, the brand has successively launched multiple limited-edition works based on modern supercars, including: the Disco Volante Coupe and Spyder based on the Alfa Romeo 8C (2013); the Aero 3 based on the Ferrari F12 (2020, limited to 15 units); the Arese RH95 based on the Ferrari 488 Pista, celebrating the 95th anniversary (2021, limited to 18 units); the Veloce12 based on the Ferrari 550 Maranello (2024, limited to 30 units); and the Veloce12 Barchetta convertible version (2025). It also produced the Flying Star in cooperation with Bentley (19 units) and the Bellagio Fastback in cooperation with the Maserati Quattroporte. In January 2026, the brand debuted the new color Veloce12 Barchetta at the Swiss St. Moritz The I.C.E. Ice Lake Elegance Competition.

Product Portfolio

Touring Superleggera's product line is divided into two major sectors: historical classic models (collector grade) and modern limited custom models. The modern product line focuses on the deep modification of modern supercars provided by customers, with each work being hand-built, independently produced, and limited in quantity.

Disco Volante (2013–2014): A milestone work following Touring's revival. Based on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, it pays homage to the original 1952 Alfa Romeo C52 Disco Volante. Available in hardtop Coupe and Spyder body forms, it features a full carbon fiber structure and a redesigned aerodynamic shape.

Aero 3 (2020): A V12 GT flagship built on the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, limited to 15 units globally. Equipped with a 6.3-liter V12 engine producing 730 hp and 689 N·m of torque, it accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 339 km/h. The design reduces weight by 150 kg compared to the original car.

Arese RH95 (2021): A mid-engine commemorative model celebrating the 95th anniversary of the Touring brand. Based on the Ferrari 488 Pista, it features a full carbon fiber body and is limited to 18 units. It is powered by a rear mid-mounted 90-degree V8 twin-turbo engine producing 670 hp and 77.5 kg·m of torque, matched with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3 seconds, marking the first mid-engine mass-produced model in Touring's history.

Veloce12 (2024): A modern luxury tourer built on the Ferrari 550 Maranello (1996–2002 models), limited to 30 units globally. It features a full carbon fiber body and comprehensive chassis reinforcement to improve torsional rigidity. The 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine has been completely refurbished to output 503 hp (a 25 hp increase over the original), paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 320 km/h. Equipped with TracTive adjustable suspension, a Supersprint exhaust system, and a Brembo high-performance braking system, each unit requires 5,000 hours of hand-building. The starting price is €690,000 (excluding the base car).

Veloce12 Barchetta (2025): The convertible version of the Veloce12, which made its global debut at The Quail in August 2025. It retains all mechanical configurations and hand-building standards of the hardtop version but removes the roof in favor of a new rear trunk cover design. The production quantity has not been publicly disclosed, and the starting price is higher than that of the hardtop version.

Flying Star by Touring (2014): Built on the Bentley Continental GT, this model pays homage to Touring's iconic Flying Star shape from the 1950s. Equipped with a 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine producing 552 hp, it is limited to only 19 units globally.

Bellagio Fastback (2008): Based on the Maserati Quattroporte, this model converts a four-door luxury sedan into a three-door Shooting Brake, creating a four-seat custom luxury tourer.

Sciàdipersia Cabriolet (2026): One of Touring's latest works, with actual photos recorded. It is equipped with a 460 hp engine, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds and reaching a top speed of 288 km/h.

Gumpert Tornante (2011): A supercar concept car designed by Touring for the German sports car manufacturer Gumpert, which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show.

Mini Superleggera Vision (2014): A retro electric concept sports car developed in cooperation between Touring and Mini, showcasing the potential of Mini's design language applied to an open two-seater sports car.

Additionally, Touring's historical classic production volume prior to the modern brand revival was significantly larger, with many of these vehicles now residing in the collector market.

Market Performance

Touring Superleggera differs significantly from modern mass-production automobile enterprises, with its market performance concentrated on limited custom brand premiums and collector value. The Veloce12, limited to 30 units, starts at €690,000, while the Veloce12 Barchetta commands a higher price that has not been publicly disclosed. Other models, such as the Aero 3 (15 units), Arese RH95 (18 units), and Flying Star (19 units), are also sold in limited quantities, with starting prices typically ranging from €300,000 to over €800,000, excluding the cost of the donor cars provided by customers.

In terms of production and delivery, the annual production capacity for the Veloce12 is approximately 10–15 units, with each unit requiring about 5,000 hours of hand-building. The pricing strategy involves a non-tax bare car price plus the customer-provided donor vehicle. In 2024, CEO Markus Tellenbach stated that one reason for limiting the Veloce12 to 30 units was the relatively strong demand in the US market, with the entire production batch scheduled for delivery within two years. Touring adopts a business model combining pure custom direct sales with regional partner channels. Since its modern revival, the brand’s cumulative production has reached approximately 100 units. Specific brand valuation and annual revenue figures have not been publicly disclosed.

Technology and Innovation 

Touring Superleggera's core technology rests on three major pillars: the Superleggera lightweight bodywork process, modern carbon fiber material engineering, and aerodynamic research and development.

The Superleggera process is the brand's earliest patented core asset, established in 1936. It involves covering a tubular steel frame, welded to fit the automotive body shape, with thin aluminum sheets. This structure is both light and strong, offering extremely high design flexibility. This technology enabled Touring to create shapes with extreme curvature and excellent aerodynamic performance that were previously unachievable.

Aerodynamics is another core technological pillar for Touring. The brand was one of the first coachbuilders to introduce wind tunnel testing. Its designers adhered to the creed that "weight is the enemy, air resistance is the obstacle." The 1952 Alfa Romeo C52 Disco Volante, with its unique saucer-like shape, immediately became an industry benchmark.

In the modern era, Touring has fully shifted to carbon fiber composite material manufacturing. The full carbon fiber body allows models like the Veloce12 to surpass the original cars in aerodynamic optimization and cooling efficiency. The chassis is reinforced with carbon fiber and locally strengthened with TIG welding, significantly improving overall torsional rigidity. Regarding suspension, a dynamic damping adjustable shock absorber system was developed in cooperation with TracTive, controlled by multi-axis G-value sensors and a patented dynamic damping adjustment valve. The braking system was jointly developed with Brembo, featuring 380 mm front and rear carbon ceramic brake discs matched with 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers. Additionally, during the powertrain refurbishment stage, engines such as the original 5.7-liter V12 are completely disassembled. Components including connecting rod bearings, valve timing belts, spark plugs, fuel injectors, oil pumps, and sensors are replaced with new parts before reassembly, ensuring the engine meets modern reliability standards.

Global Presence

Touring Superleggera's headquarters is located in Milan, Italy, where all design and hand-built manufacturing processes are completed. The brand has no overseas production branches, relying instead on regional exclusive dealers and strategic partner networks for global market expansion.

The North American market is the brand's most important overseas sector. In June 2025, Touring Superleggera announced Miller Motorcars as its exclusive retailer and service provider for North America. Based in Greenwich, Connecticut, Miller Motorcars has long represented top-tier brands such as Ferrari, Pagani, Bugatti, Aston Martin, and Rolls-Royce, providing significant brand credibility and customer network support for Touring's presence in the US market.

In the Middle East, Touring signed an exclusive cooperation agreement with Alfardan Sports Motors and Alfardan Motors in November 2023. These entities became Touring's official exclusive dealers in Qatar and the Sultanate of Oman.

Regarding the Asia-Pacific market, public information from May 2026 indicates that EuroSports Global holds operating rights for Touring in Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. The company also holds non-exclusive dealership rights in mainland China. Headquartered in Singapore, EuroSports Global is also developing a new generation of high-end smart electric motorcycles under its Scorpio Electric brand. Currently, the Touring brand has no official flagship display center or after-sales network in mainland China.

Additionally, Touring actively participates in global classic car events. In February 2025, it displayed a restored Maserati 3500 GT and a "barn find" level prototype of the same model at the Paris Retromobile classic car show.

Future Outlook

Under the leadership of CEO Markus Tellenbach, Touring Superleggera's future strategy is clearly divided into two paths: the brand end and the industry service end. The brand end will continue to create limited custom cars bearing the Touring badge, using the Veloce12 series as the core to continuously output a "pure Italian" design philosophy. The industry service end continues the brand's century-old tradition by providing design and engineering services for major OEMs, such as the recently completed Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale project.

In terms of product planning, all 30 hardtop units of the Veloce12 are scheduled for delivery within two years, and the production plan for the Veloce12 Barchetta convertible version is underway. Subsequent new custom projects are already in the planning stages. The brand will maintain its limited and exclusive custom mode based on modern supercars, utilizing a "Restomod" approach that retains the core mechanical architecture while completely redesigning the aesthetics and handling. Regarding powertrains, the Veloce12 firmly adheres to a pure mechanical route featuring a naturally aspirated V12 engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. This choice represents the brand's clear stance against electronic overload and excessive assisted driving features.

In global market expansion, the cooperation with Miller Motorcars in North America provides key support for long-term growth, while the authorized dealer network in the Asia-Pacific market, particularly in mainland China, is expected to gradually improve. Regarding the classic car restoration business, Touring continues to provide OEM-level restoration services for global collectors, maintaining its unique presence in the high-end classic car ecosystem. As the brand approaches its 100th anniversary in 2026, Touring Superleggera stands at a new starting point in its hundred-year history. It continues to adhere to the traditions of hand-built customization, Italian craftsmanship, and design purity, positioning itself as a "design company" amidst the ongoing waves of electrification and intelligence.