Touring Superleggera Reimagines Maserati GranTurismo With Sciadipersia

Mar. 09, 2018 4:59 PM ET byMartin Bigg Reveal /6 Comments

Only 10 examples will be produced.

Famed Italian coachbuilder Touring Superleggera has produced some spectacular projects in the past, one of the most memorable being theawe-inspiring Disco Volantebased on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. And now the carrozzeria has returned with a new limited edition car at this year's Geneva Motor Show. Meet the Sciadipersia, Italian for the "Shah of Iran," a coachbuilt, luxurious four-seater grand tourer.

Limited to just 10 examples, it's based on the Maserati GranTurismo, though you wouldn't know it by looking at its bespoke body. The project commemorates the coachbuilder's 60th anniversary and is inspired by three bespoke Maserati 5000GTs completed by Touring in 1958 for Iran's ruler at the time, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. No body panel is shared with the Maserati GranTurismo. Instead, Touring has crafted a classy design featuring "graceful proportions" that "hint at a subtle haughty elegance, regal in every sense, exuding dynamism without aggression." Its low-slung front, clean sides and extended tail gives the car a vintage tourer look.

Other distinctive design features include slender headlights and taillights, a greenhouse with a wraparound rear windshield, and a brushed-aluminium C-pillar. Each car is finished in Orient Night Blue, while the luxurious interior combines fine Italian leather with solid brushed aluminum trim. No technical details were revealed, so it's probably safe to assume the Sciadipersia is powered by the GranTurismo's naturally aspirated 4.7-liter V8 engine, which produces 460 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. That's enough grunt to allow the coachbuilt grand tourer to sprint from 0-62 mph in 4.7 seconds and hit a top speed of 187 mph.