SpeedSUVs.com — If the standard grand touring offerings from legendary manufacturers like Bentley, Ferrari, or Maserati no longer feel exclusive enough for your personal garage, coachbuilder Touring Superleggera has introduced a striking alternative. The Touring Superleggera Veloce12 Aperta is an ultra-exclusive, open-top grand touring sports car that masterfully combines classic late-1990s analog performance with contemporary Italian design. Based on the legendary front-engine Ferrari 550 Maranello, this coachbuilt masterpiece is destined for an incredibly limited number of elite automotive collections worldwide.
The Veloce12 project first debuted in 2024 as a fixed-roof coupe, capturing the attention of enthusiasts who appreciate retro-inspired builds. Following the reception of that initial hardtop release, Touring Superleggera has applied the exact same formula to the new Aperta model, incorporating a removable targa-top roof panel to deliver a thrilling open-air driving experience. To bring one of these modern visions to life, prospective owners must first source and supply their own donor Ferrari 550. Once the donor vehicle is handed over, the talented artisans at Touring Superleggera begin a comprehensive aesthetic and structural transformation, turning the classic grand tourer into a customized modern vision finished in pristine white.
Exterior Design and Aesthetic Modernization
While the completed Veloce12 Aperta retains the familiar, muscular proportions and grand touring silhouette of its 1990s Ferrari 550 donor car, almost every single body panel and exterior element has been meticulously massaged to bring the overall aesthetic into the 21st century. The front and rear lighting systems are entirely new, swapping out the original 1990s halogen and early projector units for sleek, modern LED fixtures that redefine the car’s face. The front bumper and main grille have been subtly reshaped to enhance both aerodynamics and cooling, while the classic hood vent has been refined into a slimmer, more integrated design.
The most significant engineering update, of course, is the modified roof structure. The Veloce12 Aperta features lightweight, removable targa panels that allow occupants to quickly transition between a closed coupe and an open-air cockpit. When these panels are not in use, they can be neatly stowed away in the car’s trunk. To emphasize the vehicle’s premium nature, the B-pillars are adorned with a genuine 24-karat gold “Aperta” badge, ensuring that this coachbuilt grand tourer stands out in any high-end automotive gathering.
Interior Luxury and Bespoke Luggage Options
Inside, the two-seat cabin of the Veloce12 Aperta has been completely reskinned to offer an elevated level of luxury. The interior features a striking two-tone white-and-burgundy upholstery scheme crafted from premium leather and soft faux suede. The rich burgundy leather extends across the dashboard and center console, creating a bold, elegant contrast with the bright metal trim pieces and the polished chrome accents.
Positioned prominently in the center console is a classic, bright chrome gated shifter, which controls the car’s six-speed manual transmission. Behind the two occupants, Touring Superleggera has integrated a specialized leather and aluminum cargo deck. This area is specifically designed to fit a set of limited-edition matching luggage. Buyers looking to complete the look can choose between custom-tailored aluminum cases crafted by Rimowa or ultra-luxurious Giosa Milano crocodile leather cases. The trunk itself is equally lavish, fully lined in matching burgundy leather and accented with aluminum trim to match the cabin’s aesthetic.
Performance, Powertrain, and Driving Dynamics
Underneath the modernized bodywork, the Veloce12 Aperta retains the soulful heart of the donor car: a naturally aspirated V-12 engine that produces 503 horsepower. This power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels, managed entirely through the tactile, engaging six-speed manual gearbox.
In terms of straight-line performance, Touring Superleggera claims a zero-to-62-mph acceleration time of 4.4 seconds. While this sprint is highly respectable and offers plenty of excitement, it is noticeably slower than modern, high-tech grand tourers such as the Bentley Continental GT Speed, the Ferrari 12Cilindri, or the Maserati MCPura. However, the appeal of the Veloce12 Aperta lies not in chasing modern track records or digital performance figures, but in delivering a raw, mechanical, and highly analog driving experience that is increasingly rare in the modern automotive landscape.
Pros and Cons
Based on the vehicle’s design, mechanical layout, and production details, here is a balanced look at the advantages and disadvantages of the Touring Superleggera Veloce12 Aperta:
- Pros:
- Exquisite, modernized coachbuilt exterior that beautifully preserves a classic GT silhouette.
- A naturally aspirated V-12 engine paired with a classic six-speed gated manual transmission for ultimate mechanical engagement.
- Highly customizable interior featuring premium leather, faux suede, and custom-tailored luggage options from Rimowa or Giosa Milano.
- Extreme exclusivity, ensuring the car remains a highly sought-after collector’s item.
- The unique targa-top design offers the flexibility of open-air driving with convenient trunk storage for the roof panels.
- Cons:
- Requires the buyer to source and provide a rare 1990s Ferrari 550 donor car, adding to the acquisition difficulty.
- Straight-line performance (0-62 mph in 4.4 seconds) is outpaced by modern luxury grand tourers.
- Extremely high cost, with the coupe version benchmarked at $754,000 before factoring in the cost of the donor vehicle.
- Extremely limited production numbers, meaning only a select few buyers will ever have the opportunity to purchase one.
Pricing and Final Verdict
Touring Superleggera has not yet announced the official base price for the Veloce12 Aperta. However, the previous fixed-roof coupe variant was priced at approximately $754,000 in 2024. Crucially, this substantial sum does not include the cost of acquiring the required Ferrari 550 donor car. Given the added engineering complexity of the removable targa roof and the inclusion of premium elements like the 24-karat gold exterior badging, the Aperta variant is highly likely to command an even steeper premium.
Ultimately, the Touring Superleggera Veloce12 Aperta is not designed for drivers seeking the absolute fastest lap times or cutting-edge driver assistance technologies. Instead, it is a highly specialized piece of rolling art designed for those who value mechanical purity, analog driver feedback, and unparalleled exclusivity. For wealthy collectors looking to stand out from the typical supercar crowd, this open-top V-12 masterpiece represents an extraordinary, albeit expensive, tribute to the golden era of grand touring.
