by Wallace Wyss –
It has been some years now since the rebirth of Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera. And it’s the 95th birthday of the brand so they thought what better way to celebrate than to create a new design, in this case the mid-engined Arese RH95.
Just 18 examples will be constructed “around the chassis and drivetrain of a well-known exotic, mid-engine donor car” – said to be the Ferrari F8 Tributo. Price is undisclosed.
Its styling continues the company’s ‘Streamline’ design philosophy, which goes back to 2012 when they introduced their Alfa Romeo 8C-based Disco Volante and continued last year with the Ferrari F12-based Aero 3.
The Arese RH95 – named for the location of Touring Superleggera’s HQ in Milan and coincidentally the initials of the project’s ‘founding patron’ – is first time they’ve tackled a mid-engined car. Body material is mostly carbon-fiber.
In their press release they say the RH95’s coachwork exhibits “not a hint of the brutal faux-Le Mans-winner ‘styling’ so typical in much of the current supercar genre.” For that statement I applaud them because there’s too many street cars that are chock-a-block with racing accoutrements not needed on the street. Some say it hints one of the sexiest street cars ever done, the Alfa 33 Stradale.
In this price range, you can have any color in paint and trim. Car One was finished in ‘Verde Pino’ with silver accents and a mix of caramel, cocoa and saffron-coloured leathers used for the interior. Car Two will be red with a white nose and car three will be Gulf-themed.
Performance is comparable with the Ferrari F8. Touring Superleggera says the RH95 makes 710bhp and 567lb ft from a V8 engine, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Estimated 0 to 62mph takes around three seconds and the top speed is 211mph. The donor car’s “active dynamics have been engineered to handle the new body loadings and specifics” says Touring.
An RH95 takes six months to construct, and you can either supply your own donor Ferrari or have Touring Superleggera obtain one for you.
Here’s my design comments:
FRONT I’ve seen that grille cavity shape somewhere–I hope not Mazda. Or even 1965 Cobra Daytona coupe (which coincidentally were designed in the US but 5 of the 6 were bodied in Italy) And for all that money you don’t get a grille surround and grille mesh? It looks positively unfinished without them. Vents on front fenders are aggressive yet useful enough to justify use.
SIDE Strong rear fender shape with good air scoop similar to ’60s 250LM. Flip up doors are old hat by now but in some quarters say “Look at me, ma” when you arrive at a car meeting.
REAR Rear fenders look voluptuous from the rear, like the 33 Stradale. The thin blade tail lights seem too thin and out of character with the curve. Would rather have Stradale type taillamps. Huge air scoop blocking the center of the rear window better use camera to compensate for blocking rear view or it wouldn’t be worth the loss in visibility. Vertical rectangular exhausts new look.
Horizontal vent cut into rear deck lid good steal from the Stradale.
INTERIOR Aggressive seat texture, very form-fitting seats.
IN SUM… Glad to see you can still order custom bodywork in Italy but not sure if it breaks new ground enough over Ferrari’s original to justify the cost.
The car is expected to be unveiled in America at The Quail, A Motorsport Gathering this year, which will feature several cars seen for the first time in the US.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
AUTHOR: Wallace Wyss has guest lectured on car design history at the Art Center College of Design.
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