Cayman-Derived Studiotorino Moncenisio Revealed

TURIN – Studiotorino unveils the first in a series of 20 Porsche Cayman S-Type-based Moncenisio sports cars at the National Museum of Automobiles here this week.

The first of the 2-seaters, born in Germany and educated in Italy, comes with a shiny sky-blue paint job and the “S” symbol that is the Italian coachbuilder’s brand.

Designed by Daniele Gaglione, who spearheaded the Alfa Romeo 8c coupe and spyder under Wolfgang Egger, the new model continues the Studiotorino’s philosophy first manifested by the 2006 RK Coupe.

The Moncenisio pays respect to the Cayman’s original structure, chassis and powertrain. Despite substantial modifications to the bodywork and the interior upholstery, its Porsche roots cannot be mistaken, even though the 2-seater carries no Porsche badging anywhere.

Cost is an additional €145,000 ($199,000) on top of the price of the Cayman, a sum that pays in part for the exclusive Studiotorino fuel cap on the hood and a new front bumper made of top-quality carbon-fiber/Kevlar with three new grilles and daytime running lights.

The rear bumper and tailgate also are made of carbon fiber, and the rear fender has been modified to eliminate the Cayman’s fuel-filler port. Aluminum panels trimmed inside with leather replace the rear side windows. The exhaust system also is exclusive to the Moncenisio, as are the 20-in. alloy wheels and made-to-order Pirelli P Zero tires.

The interior is customized with unique seats, steering wheel and leather upholstery.

The guidelines for the project were clear: Create a more exclusive, elegant and yet exotic car with no change whatsoever that would require the long process and high cost of a certification and registration.

Ordering a Moncenisio is a simple process, says Alfredo Stola, managing director and curator for the project. Potential buyers can do it over the Internet at studiotorino.com (http://www.studiotorino.com/) and click on “Buy It” for details regarding purchase, features and custom options.

The Moncenisio name is a tribute to Italian motor sports: the Susa-Moncenisio race, the first hill-climb race in the world, which took place July 27, 1902, and was won by Vincenzo Lancia in a Fiat.

At the same time, it is an homage to the historic link between Porsche and the Italian coachbuilder, which had extensive collaboration between 1946 and 1960.

The first Moncenisio unveiled here carries a special ID silver plate reading S.F. 1/1 and is dedicated to Stola’s father Francesco Stola.