Totem GT Takes on a V-6 After Successful Giulia GTA-Inspired EV Launch

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Following the prosperous launch of its Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA-inspired GT Electric restomod, Totem Automobili, the Italian automaker, has unveiled a petrol-powered iteration of its tribute to Alfa Romeo’s iconic homologation special.

The combustion-engined variant, dubbed the GT Super, was showcased on Thursday, prior to its official unveiling at the 2023 Salon Privé, set to begin on August 30th in the UK.

An Alfa Romeo Giulia Retrospective

Labeling Totem’s creations as mere restomods seems insufficient. Although each starts as an Alfa Romeo Giulia GT Junior 1300 or 1600 from the early 1970s, only around 10% of the original car is preserved.

The modification process commences with the base car being dismantled and gutted, leaving only the bulkhead. This is then amalgamated with a carbon-fiber monocoque for the passenger compartment by Totem. The body, also constructed from carbon fiber, helps minimize weight while enhancing strength and rigidity. Totem assures that the body conforms to the most recent E.U. and U.S. safety regulations.

The Totem GT Super

Steel subframes are positioned at the front and rear, while the double wishbone suspension at both ends utilizes aluminum. The wheels are 18-inch aluminum, wrapped in either Pirelli’s P Zero or Trofeo R tires, enclosing Brembo brakes with four-piston fixed calipers at the front and rear.

The exterior design saw Totem making subtle alterations instead of directly copying the Giulia GTA’s lines. The GT Super sports four headlights instead of the original two, a revised C-pillar design, and an Alfa Romeo badge missing the bars of the original. The vehicle’s rear was redesigned by Totem for enhanced aerodynamics and a flat floor with rear air extractors was added to generate downforce.

The Totem GT Super

Powering the GT Super is a heavily modified twin-turbocharged 2.8-liter V-6 with dry sump lubrication, supplied by Totem. A standard version outputs 600 hp, while a more exhilarating version produces 750 hp—exhilarating indeed, considering the vehicle’s claimed curb weight of 2,601 pounds. The transmission is a 6-speed manual, placed at the rear axle for optimal weight distribution.

The top performance includes a 0-62 mph sprint time of 3.2 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. This is comparable to the electric version’s performance, with a 0-62 mph sprint time of 2.9 seconds. The electric model has been updated with an 81-kwh battery, up from 50.4 kwh, which Totem estimates will offer over 250 miles of range.

The Totem GT Super

In both versions, power is delivered solely to the rear wheels.

The interior, like the body and chassis, is a fusion of modern and classic themes. Physical controls and analog gauges remain, but are accompanied by digital elements and modern carbon-fiber bucket seats, inspired by the original Giulia GT design. Totem intends to custom mold each driver’s seat and align the pedals according to the customer’s shoe size.

The Totem GT Super

Riccardo Quaggio, the founder of Totem and a former designer for Honda and Alfa Romeo, stated, “With the Totem GT, we retain the original design and aesthetic, but ultimately, it’s a new car.” He continued, “The project is built upon unceasing engineering research, enabling us to transcend the original GT’s mechanics and structures, and setting unprecedented standards.”

Pricing details for the GT Super have yet to be released by Totem, but when first unveiled in 2020, the GT Electric carried a starting price tag of 430,000 euros (approximately $470,000). Totem has opened orders for both models and ensures that the cars can obtain worldwide certification and come with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Totem GT Super

More about Totem GT Super

• Totem Automobili Official Site
• Alfa Romeo Official Site
• Salon Privé Official Site
• More about Restomods
• More about Alfa Romeo Giulia GT