“Giotto” by Bizzarrini, a new chapter opens
The Bizzarrini brand, relaunched to the world with the 5300 GT Corsa Revival at the beginning of 2022, has revealed its first completely new car, the Giotto. Named after the company’s founder, Giotto Bizzarrini, it is a limited edition super sports car dedicated to Italian design, exceptional luxury and the ultimate dedication to driving pleasure. A purist, authentic and incredibly rare choice.
The Giotto is the result of a partnership established 60 years ago, Giorgetto Giugiaro designed the model with his son Fabrizio. The young Giugiaro, while working at Bertone, helped design the Bizzarrini 5300 GT. So there was no one more qualified to establish the design of Bizzarrini’s first completely new model. The custom carbon fiber body is intricately sculpted to intersect the mindsets of designer, engineer and driver – purpose-built by the collective genius of the team.
The classic proportions of a supercar with a low line harmonize with the core elements of Bizzarrini’s design DNA. The two prominent hood-mounted vents of the original Bizzarrini have been transformed into a new frontal visual temperament for the Giotto, accompanied by ultra-thin LED headlights. Finishing in the middle of the bonnet, they host a prominent Bizzarrini badge in the central position, as it was on the 5300 GT.
In profile, the Giotto is distinguished by a redesigned triangular B-pillar of the 5300GT and a rear windshield that wraps so far back that it almost appears to flow into the wheel arches. With its mid-rear engine, rather than mid-front like the 5300 GT, the Giotto’s predatory front stance is a visual representation of power coming from the rear. The rear tucks gently and curves gracefully, creating an aerodynamic teardrop.
Giorgetto Giugiaro said: “ Having the opportunity to design a completely new Bizzarrini car was a privilege. Our two names combine nearly six decades of history and a series of today’s iconic designs. At Giotto, we pay homage to the past but are fully committed to the future. Designed with purpose, and incorporating active aerodynamic technologies, we have created something both recognizable as Bizzarrini and completely relevant for a new era of this important Italian marque. “.
Giotto Bizzarrini is known as a genius engineer and test driver who first rose to fame as the controller of experimental, sports and GT car development at Ferrari. He played a key role in the development of the iconic Ferrari 250 GTO and later in the development of the legendary Ferrari 250’s advanced aerodynamics based on the ‘bread van’.
He was also praised for his work developing Lamborghini’s famous V12 engine, which was first used in Lamborghini’s inaugural model, the 350 GT. Bizzarrini’s V12 engine proved to be such a compelling design that aspects of this power unit were used by Lamborghini until 2010.
With Giotto, the rare range of diverse skills possessed by Bizzarrini’s founder came to define the character of the car.
Full technical details will be revealed later in the year as Bizzarrini looks again to its heritage for engine options. Bizzarrini’s work on Lamborghini’s V12 was inspirational, with an exclusive naturally aspirated V12 engine planned. Designed to meet Bizzarrini’s own performance, handling, emissions compliance and emotion targets, it will be mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Powertrain development, as well as all technical aspects of the Giotto, will be overseen by new Bizzarrini technical director Chris Porritt, who has led the technical divisions of Aston Martin, Tesla and Rimac.
Chris Porritt, Technical Director of Bizzarrini, said: We have a very clear vision of the Giotto, which is ultimately defined by how it feels to the driver. Bizzarrini is a brand founded on genius and passion, created by a polymath with talents as a designer, engineer and world-class test pilot. We are now recreating Giotto’s vision in a very deliberate and authentic way, choosing not to chase acceleration times or lap records, but to build a car aimed at experienced drivers in search of purity. , authenticity and rarity. This car is sound and emotional, it is mechanical and tactile. But it’s also an incredibly practical and luxurious car, delivered with the personality and emotion of a bespoke Italian brand.. »
One of Giotto Bizzarrini’s most important talents was his ability to push the boundaries of contemporary engineering. The 5300 GT made extensive use of the strongest lightweight materials of the time, Giotto will also use the lightest, strongest and most suitable materials available to its creators. In addition to the carbon fiber body, the Giotto is based on a composite body structure – designed to meet or exceed global safety standards, using technologies and manufacturing processes developed in top-level motorsport .
Giotto testing will begin in 2024, with technical details to be released throughout 2023. Its announcement comes at a time when Bizzarrini is in full swing. In addition to the appointment of Chris Porritt as CTO, Julian Jenkins has been appointed CCO, responsible for the commercial and operational aspects of the company. Like Chris, Julian brings over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, including senior roles at Porsche, Bentley, Aston Martin and most recently Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Both Julian and Chris will report to Ian Fenton, who recently joined the company as CEO. Ian also brings over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, including executive or director positions at Ford Europe, Ford Motor China, Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin Lagonda and Aston Martin Works.
Ian Fenton, CEO of Bizzarrini, said: ” While we continue to deliver all 24 examples of the 5300 GT Corsa Revival to customers around the world, we now focus on building the Giotto. Conceived as a car for enthusiasts, extremely rare, built for pure pleasure and luxury. »
” The 5300 GT Corsa Revival is an entry into the world of Bizzarrini genius, but Giotto is at the heart of our future as an exclusive supercar builder. It forms the core of a ten-year strategy that will see Bizzarrini offer additional variants and more Revival models, while firmly placing this historic and respected name among the world’s leading performance brands. »
Bizzarrini is participating in the Retro Mobile Paris fair from February 1st to 5th. Pavilion 1 Booth P024.
Andre Tirlet
