Touring Superleggera Disco Volante Spyder revealed in Geneva

The 444bhp Touring Superleggera Disco Volante Spyder has been unveiled at the Geneva motor show.

Based on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Spider, the Disco Volante Spyder shares the same 4.7-litre V8 engine paired to a six-speed sequential transaxle gearbox and is the first convertible production car in the manufacturer’s history.

It has 354lb ft of torque and can cover 0-62mph in 4.5sec with a top speed of 181mph, and the manufacturer claims that noise levels are limited to 24-50dB at 112mph in the cabin with an open roof.

“We did not want to compromise the pleasure of driving an open top,” Louis de Fabribeckers, head of design, said. “This car is designed as if there was no roof at all.”

The detachable twin roofs are made of carbonfibre, with each one weighing 3.5kg, and can be removed and stored in the boot. The lightweight body is made of aluminium and carbon, and the Disco Volante Spyder gets a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout with a limited-slip differential and weight distribution of 49-51% between the front and rear axles, according to the Italian manufacturer.

Once a donor 8C Spider is received, the steel frame and other structural elements are retained, as well as frame parts and the central carbon cell. Other parts such as the engine bay and firewall, cowl, locks, hinges, as well as interior elements such as the dashboard, pedals and steering wheel, also remain the same, but the panels, doorframes and C-pillar are modified to fit the new shape.

It’s only priced on demand by the Italian coachbuilder and takes six months to manufacturer once the donor 8C Spider is received. The model has been developed as part of the manufacturer’s 90th anniversary and is inspired by the Alfa Romeo C52 from 1952.