Alfa Romeo Disco Volante by Touring: pictures and details

This is the Alfa Romeo Disco Volante ('Flying Saucer'), built by Milanese coachbuilding firm Touring Superleggera.

Based on an Alfa Romeo 8C, it shares the same 437bhp 4.7-litre V8 but the handmade bodywork is all new. It was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in 2012, and is inspired by the original Alfa Romeo Disco Volante from 1952 - an incredible lightweight and aerodynamic racing car from Alfa.

This modern interpretation has aerodynamic properties as well, but the design also incorporates wide front winds that cover the wheels and a shoulder line that moves upwards into a pinched rear end. The telephone dial wheels and signature grille mark it out as a modern Alfa Romeo, too.

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It gets a classy interior, with LED lighting, leather upholstery and a range of futuristic-looking dials and switches on the dashboard.

The engine and running gear are the same as the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, with the 4.7-litre V8 delivering 437bhp and 480Nm of torque. The 8C was never revered for its driving dynamics but the pace is certainly impressive, with 0-62mph served up in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 181mph.

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It's not the most efficient engine, though. It's probably best not to pop to the shops in town as you can only expect about 12mpg, and emissions of 377g/km mean an annual tax bill of £1,065.

The bodywork uses aluminium and carbon fibre to keep weight down, mirroring the lightweight aluminium Disco Volante of the 1950s.

Each car is built to order, with the production process taking six months once the Alfa Romeo 8C is provided to the factory.