TargaFlorio

Introduction & Ethos:

The Targa Florio is the italian version of the NoveZeroSei, with margin for using more than 6 cylinders.

The project tries to keep parts and weight to a minimum and allow the customer to run italian running gear and interior style. In a market with very expensive hypercars, this car aims to break no power or speed targets but instead provide a purist driving experience. It will only have one colour schemes with red and white combinations.

In terms of feel and proportions, the car is a modern day cross between the Maserati Barchetta and Ferrari 333SP but with the driving dynamics of a 911 GT3. A possible starting point may be the Alfa 4C chassis with its 2380 mm wheelbase which with a different engine can be extended to 2550 mm.

Lightness & Power-to-weight ratio:

Like the NoveZeroSei, the car aims for a power to weight of at least 700 hp/tonne. The table below shows some figures of other vehicles:

Styling direction:

The front and rear light clusters as well as the wheels will have an important role in defining the quality of the product and its legitimacy. Despite its simplicity, the styling must have clean and tasteful surfaces which create one of the most beautiful and timeless designs of all time, like a Miura. The Targa Florio should feel single-mindedly purposeful like a polished stone about to skip the water. The front, side and rear profiles must have a distinguishable stance as if just a chalk line on black paper can define it.

In terms of details, consider the 125S air vents under the lights, which are not dissimilar in concepts to the ones of the EB110 near its light clusters. Check what the law specifies regarding headlamp minimum height. The side vents must be cleanly implemented without breaking the surfaces unduly. The concept could be inspired by the rear engine venting of the Zonda R and also its front light clusters which look neat and are purposeful, however it should not have any roof or doors which does alter the general proportion.

The car has to be purposeful like the 333SP or the Valkyrie but be a revelation to drive by having chassis & controls which have 997 GT3 levels of finely judged damping, steering, clutch and gear-lever.

The interior should be simplified but not unwelcoming; it should be cossetting but not claustrophobic. Above all the owner should be able to "jump in" simply and drive the car to the theatre in his smoking jacket or her evening dress [cue to marketing film clip of boy and girl departing their separate houses and arriving in red car and gulf car to watch the Carmen together]. It should capture a 60s driving pleasure with modern comforts but devoid of smart-phone generation features like paddle shift.

The seats should have nicely cross-stitched alcantara and the steering wheel should be soft to the touch (i.e. the right materials). The stitching and seat belts should be two tone in grey and red or grey and light blue. The F50 is a good example, the F40 is a bit too spartan and its red coloured seats look a little aftermarket (car had to be designed and finished quickly). The seats of the Zonda Cinque and EB110SS strike a nice balance, as do the ones of the F50. Some Singer 911 interiors look appealing but some others are too fussy.

The steering wheel should look comfortable and inviting for the drive. Not too dull but also not too futuristic; something timeless. For example the steering of the Carrera GT has aged badly, whereas the steering of the EB110SS and McLaren F1 have not. The steering wheel of the 2019 Ford GT and Porsche 935 recreation plain suck.

Styling inspiration: