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Maggiore and Totem: Made In Italy Shining Bright
THE TWO RISING STARS IN THE ITALIAN AUTOMOTIVE PANORAMA
Words by Tommaso Mogge / Photos by Automobili Maggiore, Totem Automobili
Take two made in Italy icons, those you could immediately recognize in the midst of a thousand others, but at the same time that represent a piece of the life of each of us and therefore for once in a while we are not talking about exotics, almost impossible to see on our everyday roads. Take them and transform them in a radical way, the first at the exact opposite of the other, yet maintaining for both that stylistic drama made real by immortal lines capable of stealing your attention for a pure visual satisfaction, sliding your eyes on those hips born from the pencil of absolute geniuses that certainly did not have to compromise on marketing laws or exaggeratedly devoted to pedestrians safety, maybe because they’ll end staring in astonishment.
Fortunately, in a sea of difficulties like that of 2020 and the first months of this new year, there is some good news that not only keeps our passion alive, but also feeds the flame that guards our automotive legacy and in this regard two names are making and will surely make enthusiasts proud for a long time: Automobili Maggiore and Totem Automobili. Both best identifiable as small local ateliers, they are aimed at an intellectual and at the same time curious audience with a mind open enough to look beyond the most traditional models targeted by those involved in reviving a historic car and turning it into something that maintains that bond with a past that revolves around emotions, still offering a personal vision that attracts the attention of enthusiasts and insiders.
This is not a simple makeover, much less a restoration aimed at rejuvenating the Ferrari 308 GTS chosen by Maggiore or the Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA that ended up under the clutches of Totem, but rather the amalgamation of a desire inherent in the respective creators, authentic contemporary artists who fuse an automotive heritage represented by these two sports cars and combine it in their respective figurations that outline the driving excitement which is essential to awaken the five senses of every self-respecting enthusiast. Maggiore’s aim is in fact to create unique pieces by combining modern design and technology with the heritage of the past. The goal is achieved by recovering the values of iconic cars of the past but re-proposing them in their current form, improving all the technical aspects with current technologies, but without altering the typical sensations of the analogue driving you had back in the days – nothing more explanatory to accompany the creature of Gianluca Maggiore, the Ferrari 308M that modernizes the starting model with a body that welcomes noble materials such as carbon fiber and numerous exclusive details, all while remaining faithful to the image of one of the most iconic silhouettes in history, landed in the collective with the successful TV series “Magnum P.I.”.
Through 4/6 months of work for each unit, Maggiore hypothesizes not to produce more than 50 pieces, giving way to a fair number of people to be able to put this collector’s item in their garage, but at the same time leaving it as a niche product that reflects craftsmanship as the fulcrum of the vision itself. However, the 308M is not just an object to be exhibited, but a sports car perfectly capable of giving emotions and driven by a petrol engine that goes from the original 2.9 cc up to 3.146 cc, for a power of 300 hp (+ 45 compared to the original model) and an optimally distributed torque with a max peak of 300 Nm at 5,000 rpm. Driving dynamics are the main focus here, thanks to the adjustable Koni shock absorbers and the new Brembo braking system, a passenger compartment that blends modern features with the typical design of the 80s, all elevating the pleasure and driving involvement offered by a good old internal combustion engine.
On the other hand, the Giulia GTA made by the Venetian atelier Totem Automobili takes the aesthetic aspect of the legendary Alfa Romeo to the extreme, pressing it to the ground thanks to a completely revolutionized mechanics and main frame (18 cm wider) and fitting the most beautiful set of wheels you have ever seen. It is a restomod that its creator Riccardo Quaggio has idealized in his mind as a timeless object and which sees in its design the ultimate representation of the concept of objective beauty. Opening the door you are greeted by an extremely modern environment, but perfectly in line with the original features of the base model, an ideal preamble for what is hidden underneath.
To allow the Totem GT to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in just 3.4 seconds and reach 245 per hour of top speed, there’s in fact an entirely electric unit capable of delivering a power of 518 hp and 940 Nm of torque and placed in central-rear position, this also in order to guarantee drivability equal to that of an authentic supercar, in this case dressed in the elegant clothes of a lady who has written unforgettable pages in the history of automobile. The 50.4 kWh battery pack is enough for an average mileage of about 320 km and thus make the Totem GT Electric a perfectly usable car in the real world.
Immediately able to put everyone in agreement regarding its aesthetic side, some purists may turn up their noses about the choice to make it 100% electric, but wait to see how it drives – that’s how Riccardo Quaggio confirms that the ideal choice for underlining how much he wanted to make it a timeless object, brought him to exclude an engine with an uncertain future like the internal combustion one. In the specific case of the Totem GT we then talk about driving feedbacks incredibly similar to those of a traditional sports car, also thanks to a system that manages and simulates the operation of a virtual gearbox based on the type of driving, adjustable settings and the limited slip differential, useful for less experienced drivers and to better manage the incredible power output.
Those of Automobili Maggiore and Totem are two different visions, but both draw on the glorious past of the Italian panorama that have given strong emotions and are always ready to do the same in the years to come. What unites these two rising stars is the desire to celebrate the legacy left to us by previous generations and project it into the future with avant-garde solutions, while always keeping as the main target that essential value that makes our heart beat and represented by sensual lines and by the need to press hard on the throttle pedal. And if such craftsmanships involve a demanding price and relegate them to a few lucky customers, we are still happy for being able to dream admiring them.
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