A coupé to admire: The Totem GT electric with BILSTEIN Clubsport suspension

Giorgetto Giugiaro, Sergio Pininfarina, Marcello Gandini and Co. The list of legendary Italian automobile designers is long. And with Riccardo Quaggio, the list could soon be extended by one more entry. Because Riccardo’s first project is nothing less than a masterpiece.

Dr. Riccardo Quaggio is very passionate about the Alfa Romeo GTA. And the young designer is not the only one. In the 1960s the “Gran Turismo Alleggerita” quickly won the hearts of sports car fans worldwide. No wonder: the coupé built between 1965 and 1975 impressed with superior technology not only on the race track. The Alfa GTA is also without doubt one of the most beautiful cars ever built. So it is the perfect basis for a spectacular project.

With his start-up Totem Automobili, Riccardo Quaggio and his team worked on the Totem GT electric for three years. A coupé inspired by the legendary GTA with state-of-the-art technology – and an electric motor. And if the original GTA is a sports car that makes you stand still, then the GT electric is a car to kneel down.

Soul of Alfa Romeo

The 25-year-old relied on the characteristic design features of the 1965 GTA: large, round headlights, “Scudetto” grille and breathtaking lines. The Totem GT electric can immediately be recognized as a modern reinterpretation of the classic, even though no original parts were used. “Each detail of the car is completely different from the original car”, explains Riccardo. “Also the pillars a-b-c are different. And front and rear are completely different too.” In addition, the GT electric is much broader and lower on the road.

Heart of the Totem electric GT is a 518 hp electric motor

As you would expect from a true Restomod, Totem Automobili combined fresh retro design with modern technology. The heart of the electric GT is a 518 hp electric motor that mobilizes spectacular 940 Nm of maximum torque. To ensure that the GT electric can withstand this elemental force, Riccardo and his team stiffened the frame and installed a roll cage.

“The soul hast to be Alfa Romeo, this is the main thing.”

The Totem GT electric offers superior driving dynamics

In order to transform the potential of the powerful electric motor into superior driving dynamics, Riccardo opted for modern suspension technology from Ennepetal, Germany. With our Clubsport coilover suspension, the GT electric features racing technology for the road. In addition, the suspension can be adjusted not only in height. With the BILSTEIN 2-way adjustment system, the rebound and compression stages of the shock absorbers can also be adjusted separately with 10 clicks each. And with the optional BILSTEIN iRC® module with 3D-G acceleration sensor, GT drivers can change their suspension settings conveniently in the cockpit using their smartphone. “Many of our customers have opted for the iRC® system,” reveals Riccardo.

Totem Automobili trusts on BILSTEIN

Despite all the technology the e-sports car offers: “The soul hast to be Alfa Romeo, this is the main thing,” says Riccardo. For this reason, Totem Automobili, together with a partner, even reproduced the sound of the original Alfa. And also in the interior many things remind us of the original. Totem customers can choose from six different classic steering wheels, which can also be customized. The seats are also custom-made and made to measure.

So, how does the electrified version of an icon appeal to fans? Outstanding! “People love this car,” says Riccardo with delight. “All Alfa Romeo clubs here in Italy also love the car.”

Thus, the GT electric continues where the original Alfa GTA left off in 1975. It excites car fans in general and sports car aficionados in particular. So Totem Automobili can not complain about a lack of interest. “We have received hundreds of requests regarding our car,” reports Riccardo. “Unfortunately, we will limit production to 20 units”. So customers have to be fast – and have the necessary cash. The coupé, which is completely handmade, starts at 430,000 euros. Despite its proud price, the electric GT is expected to be sold out shortly.

“We want to offer just the best for our customers. So I decided to work with BILSTEIN.”

Totem Automobili already works on a new car

Totem Automobili already has the next car in the pipeline: “For the moment we are focused on the GT,” says Riccardo. “But we are working on another project, which is a secret”.

No secret, however, is Riccardo´s enthusiasm for BILSTEIN. Riccardo: „BILSTEIN is the best provider of suspension systems. We want to offer just the best for our customers. So I decided to work with BILSTEIN.”