Touring Superleggera Veloce12 is a 550-based V12 coachbuild

First of all, the design. It’s a bold move to have a go at making serious changes to what is becoming beloved as a cult modern classic, but the revered coachbuilder has given it ago. It’s thoroughly modernised but also with a classic, beaten-alloy look. Even though the general silhouette of the 550 is carried over, not a single panel is retained – this is a coachbuild in every sense, with a total re-body in carbon fibre. You can still see the 550 in every surface, it’s just been massaged and updated.

Look at that front bumper for instance, that now features larger side inlets and air curtains, which are a relatively new addition to aerodynamic and car design parlance. The most vivid difference is in the lighting with completely new modernised clusters at the front and rear. We also see larger, more modern exhaust styling – F430-esque, we reckon – set within a carbon lower bumper and prominent diffuser. The 550’s iconic kamm tail lives on.

The subtle touch continues on the inside, with a recognisably 550 cabin that’s been totally re-trimmed and fitted with new high-quality materials.

Under the skin it is the Ferrari 550 as-was. That’s to say, it has a 5.5-litre V12 engine that sends power to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. Power is up to 503PS (369kW) and 0-62mph is handled in 4.4 seconds on the way to a 199mph top speed. The V12 should have some fairly rorty vocals compared to the original, somewhat muted 550, thanks to a Supersprint exhaust. The brakes are new, while there are also adjustable dampers – the rotary control for which sits prominently on the centre console – that work in tandem with a stiffened chassis, for a more versatile, modern dynamic feel.

Just 30 Veloce12s are set to be built, with Touring Superleggera saying that each will take some 5,000 hours to produce. That presumably includes stripping down the donor car’s V12 and revitalising it, before stiffening, rebodying, retrimming and reassembling the car. What cost for this retro coachbuild? Well, including a 550 – £80,000 for a leggy example and up to £150,000 for a minter – you’re looking at about £750,000. Honestly, not the most eyewatering price we’ve seen in the restomod space, which continues to expand rapidly, with several including the Veloce12 debuting at Monterey 2024 alone.