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News16 December 2021 by Andreas 339 Viewed

Ares Design reveals the Defender Spec.1.2

• Modenese coachbuilder ARES reveals limited-edition ARES for Land Rover Defender Spec. 1.2

• Exterior features include carbon fiber bodywork and panoramic roof

• Luxurious handcrafted interior with leather and carbon fiber throughout

• Enhanced V8 powerplant and 6-speed transmission

Luxury Italian coachbuilder ARES Design has released details of its bespoke Land Rover Defender Spec. 1.2 detailing its high level of customization and luxury, creating a modern-day tribute to the timeless off-road icon.

Designed by the company’s Centro Stile, the exterior sports a carbon fiber bonnet, widened wings and is devoid of all visible body bolts. While the front-end LED-powered lamps are housed in a new one-piece carbon fiber front end the rear sports new style circle LED tail lights.

Rounding off the customised exterior are larger tinted windows, including a high-grade panoramic roof and 18” ARES designed rims giving the vehicle a commanding modern appearance.

Inside, the company designers and artisans have combined their talents to produce a stunning bespoke interior. Expertly finished, the finest leather and carbon fiber trim extends to every part of the cabin, from the instrument panel through to the rear bench seats giving a sensation of luxury and quality throughout. Additionally, its new infotainment system, revised and upgraded air conditioning unit and four electrically operated windows assure interior comfort and luxury.

Once behind the wheel the driver will begin his journey with a simple start/stop button, and with modern-era levers controlling lights and wipers at this finger tips their journey will be uncomplicated and fun. For colder weather the vehicle has adjustable and heated side mirrors with an incorporated indicator ensuring the swiftest of departures on the coldest of days.

Underneath the newly defined exterior ARES’ extensive engineering work has been undertaken. The coachbuilder has replaced the original 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine with a 4750cc V8 engine capable of delivering 280hp and a torque of 440Nm all supported by a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Additional strengthening on transmission and axle shafts and CV joints supports the higher speed and power delivery while the braking system sports larger performance discs and 6-piston calipers. Ensuring the smoothest of drives the ARES for Land Rover Defender Spec 1.2 has an electronically adjustable suspension with a soft and sport setting.

Dany Bahar, ARES Design CEO, explained: “We created our first Defender Ultra V8 in 2018 so we have a great knowledge of the vehicle and that has led us to create a second edition with an even more distinctive style and refined finish. Powered by the same V8 engine, the ARES for Land Rover Defender Spec 1.2 retains the characteristics of the new Defender design but beautifully reimagined to express modernity and luxury.”

the author

Andreas

Italian classic car enthusiast with German roots. Renowned as a respected figure in the classic car community, he serves as a jury member at various international concours d'elegance, including the Classic Gala Schwetzingen and Mantova. As a content creator, Andreas passionately shares his profound knowledge and appreciation for vintage automobiles. His heart beats for cars designed by Giovanni Michelotti, showcasing his discerning taste and dedication to preserving the timeless elegance of automotive history.

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superleggera tecnique touring

The Superleggera system, developed by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, stands as one of the most innovative achievements in the history of automotive design. This revolutionary construction method, guided by the motto “Weight is the enemy – Air resistance is the obstacle,” was more than just a new way of building cars; it was a transformative approach that redefined car manufacturing, blending cutting-edge engineering with elegant aesthetics.

Origins and Development

Founded in 1926 by Felice Bianchi Anderloni, Carrozzeria Touring quickly became known for its sleek, stylish automotive designs. However, by the mid-1930s, Touring sought to go beyond mere aesthetics and address the technical challenges of traditional coachbuilding methods. At the time, most cars were built using heavy wooden frames, a legacy of horse-drawn carriage construction that was both cumbersome and not particularly strong.

Touring initially adopted the Weymann system, which allowed lighter construction by replacing steel panels with fabric-covered wooden frames. Despite offering some advantages, this system had significant drawbacks, including the tendency of the pegamoid fabric to dry out and crack. Undeterred, Touring’s engineers took inspiration from the aeronautical industry, developing the Superleggera system around 1935-36—a breakthrough that forever changed automotive design.

The Superleggera Technique

The Superleggera (Italian for “super light”) technique was a groundbreaking step in automotive construction. It utilized a light yet strong tubular steel framework over which thin aluminum panels were attached to form the body of the car. This innovative structure, directly welded to the main chassis, unified the body and frame into a cohesive unit, dramatically reducing weight while enhancing strength and rigidity.

The steel frame was made from carefully engineered tubes, providing structural support without the weight of traditional wooden frames. Aluminum panels were mounted using felt inserts to minimize vibrations and prevent galvanic corrosion, making the vehicles not only lighter but also more durable and safer. This construction method aligned perfectly with Touring’s goals of reducing weight, improving speed, and enhancing handling, setting new standards in performance.

Technical Advantages of the Superleggera System

1. Lightweight Construction: The primary advantage of the Superleggera system was its ability to significantly reduce the vehicle’s weight. By eliminating heavy wooden frames and using a tubular steel structure covered in aluminum, Touring’s designs were lighter, faster, and more fuel-efficient. This weight-saving approach was particularly crucial in racing, where every kilogram impacted performance.

2. Enhanced Aerodynamics: Touring’s emphasis on aerodynamics set it apart from its contemporaries. The streamlined shapes made possible by the Superleggera system minimized drag, allowing cars to achieve higher speeds and improved stability. Touring was a pioneer in using wind tunnels to test their designs, ensuring that each car was as aerodynamically efficient as possible.

3. Structural Integrity and Safety: Unlike the Weymann system, which was prone to weather damage and structural weakness, the Superleggera construction provided superior rigidity and safety. The combination of steel and aluminum created a durable framework that offered excellent crash resistance, enhancing the overall safety of the vehicle.

4. Flexibility in Design: The Superleggera technique provided designers with unmatched freedom to create complex, flowing shapes that were impossible with traditional construction methods. This flexibility allowed Touring to craft bespoke bodies that perfectly matched the client’s desires, setting a new benchmark for custom automotive design.

5. Integration of Advanced Materials: Touring incorporated advanced materials such as Plexiglas windows, tubular seat frames, and chrome-plated aluminum trim. These innovations further reduced weight and enhanced the visual appeal of the cars, contributing to their overall performance and luxurious feel.

6. Unified Chassis and Body Construction: The Superleggera system unified the car’s chassis and body into a single, cohesive unit. This concept of integrating body and frame enhanced structural integrity and was a precursor to the monocoque (unibody) construction that would later become standard in the automotive industry.

Landmark Models Built with the Superleggera System

The first major application of the Superleggera system was on the Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 B MM, which made its debut at the Mille Miglia in 1937. This car showcased the effectiveness of the new construction method, achieving an impressive fourth-place finish and setting the stage for future Touring designs.

Another significant milestone was the creation of the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B, regarded as one of the most beautiful and technologically advanced cars of its time. Featuring an eight-cylinder engine and a sophisticated aerodynamic design, the 8C 2900 B set new standards for performance and luxury. Touring also utilized the Superleggera technique on various Fiat and Lancia models, demonstrating the system’s versatility across different platforms.

BMW and the Mille Miglia Victory

Touring’s expertise did not go unnoticed by other leading car manufacturers. In the late 1930s, BMW approached Carrozzeria Touring to design a lightweight, aerodynamically optimized body for their racing cars. The collaboration resulted in the BMW 328 Mille Miglia Touring Coupé, a car that combined BMW’s advanced mechanical components with Touring’s cutting-edge Superleggera construction.

The BMW 328 Mille Miglia Touring Coupé was a technical marvel, utilizing the lightweight Superleggera system to achieve remarkable performance. Its streamlined aluminum body was mounted on a tubular steel frame, dramatically reducing weight and allowing the car to maximize its power output. This synergy between BMW’s engineering and Touring’s design led to a stunning victory at the 1940 Mille Miglia, where the 328 Touring Coupé won outright, cementing the Superleggera system’s reputation as a superior automotive construction method.

The success of the BMW 328 at the Mille Miglia was a testament to the advantages of the Superleggera system, proving that lightweight construction and aerodynamic efficiency could deliver winning results on the world’s toughest racing stages. The BMW 328 Mille Miglia Touring Coupé remains a legendary car, often celebrated as one of the most beautiful and effective racing cars of its era.

Legacy and Impact of the Superleggera System

The impact of the Superleggera system extended far beyond Touring’s workshop. Its success led to licensing agreements with other prestigious manufacturers, including Aston Martin, Frazer-Nash, and Hudson, allowing them to adopt Touring’s innovative construction techniques. This spread of the Superleggera system influenced automotive design globally, helping to usher in an era of lighter, faster, and more elegant cars.

The Superleggera system was not just a technical innovation; it was a philosophy that harmonized engineering excellence with artistic design. It prioritized lightness, strength, and aerodynamics, creating vehicles that were as beautiful as they were fast. Today, the principles established by Touring’s Superleggera system continue to inspire car manufacturers striving to balance performance, safety, and style.

In conclusion, the Superleggera system by Carrozzeria Touring remains a pivotal moment in automotive history. It redefined car design by integrating advanced construction techniques with aesthetic mastery, setting a new standard for what cars could achieve. The enduring legacy of the Superleggera system is a reminder that true innovation often comes from rethinking the fundamentals, blending form and function into a masterpiece of automotive art.

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