- StudioTorino CoupeTorino, 2008
As part of the event "Turin World Design Capital 2008", Studio Torino presents a cultural, non-profit project. The Studio Torino Coupe Torino is a technical and stylistic study aimed at transforming series and off-set automobiles with reliable technical solutions while maintaining the car's identity. With this objective in mind the iconic Mercedes SL spider was chosen as a lone specimen. Its original architectural structure was transformed into a true coupé.
Amongst the various design studies directed by Studio Torino in cooperation with Istituto di Arte Applicata e Design (IAAD) and informally presented to the Mercedes Design Center in Como to Professor Peter Pfeiffer, a more typically Italian coupé style was chosen.
This project includes an accurate 1:4 scale maquette personally modeled by Alfredo Stola and a photographic exhibit presenting all of its developmental stages, from its conception to its realization.
An in depth study presents all of the construction methodology and aerodynamics with the goal of creating a perfectly functional prototype with the reliability akin to that of series automobiles.
Studio Torino Coupe Torino was presented on December 12, 2008 at the Première held at Turin Gallery with an exhibit titled "Bespoke Coachwork".
THE STYLE
Directed by Alfredo Stola, the style of the Studio Torino Coupe Torino was attained through cooperation with Istituto di Arte Applicata e Design (IAAD) and in particular with Piotr Degler Jablonski, student who participated in its creation as part of his final internship.
The theme is clear: to project an off-set starting with the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and to transform it into a coupé all while maintaining its identity and adding a touch of Italian flair in order to make it exclusive.
Initially research took off in several directions; after several designs the first choice focused on two fast-backs and a traditional coupé.
Later on July 9, 2008 at the Mercedes Design Center in Como an informal and cordial meeting between Professor Peter Pfeiffer, Dr. Michele Paganetti and Alfredo Stola, Studio Torino is given suggestions as to in which way aim its choice for the creation of the to scale model of "our C version" or what we like to call a traditional coupé 'all'italiana'.
For the event "Torino World Design Capital 2008" Mercedes generously supplies us with a 1:4 scale model of the SL, indispensable element for the fashioning of the Studio Torino Coupe Torino model.
The model was created in a traditional manner - that is by hand. In fact, the back is completely restyled and was personally modeled by Alfredo Stola with the collaboration of student intern Piotr Degler Jablonski for the design.
The Première of Studio Torino Coupe Torino was held on December 12, 2008 in the exhibit "Bespoke Coachwork" at Turin Gallery with the addition of a photographic exhibit of all the designs and developmental stages, a 1:4 scale model purposely without wheels, monochromatic in bronze on a transparent support as if a sculpture.