This is the 1997 Gigliato Design Aerosa/Aerosa GTS, which was a collaborative effort between both Gigliato Design Studios & unexpectedly, Automobili Lamborghini. If you’ve never heard of the Gigliato Design Studio, the Japanese-based company was founded in 1987 by a former Suzuki designer named Nobuo Nakamura. Due to strict regulations, the Aerosa was to be produced outside of Japan, and later imported, with plans to assemble the cars in England initially. These plans soon changed when a partnership was announced with Automobili Lamborghini that would provide Gigliato Design with engineering, production component supply, marketing and even delivery as well. A joint-venture project with the help of Lamborghini would be prepared from a headquarters in Düsseldorf, Germany in order to create the car shown here, the Aerosa. The first clay model was completed by 1991, and the first prototype was finished by 1995. The Aerosa was first put on public display during the 1993 Frankfurt motor show. Initially, agreements were made with Lotus for use of their TYPE 918 Twin Turbo engine, Japanese manufacturer KOBELCO to have them supply chassis components, and finally, an Italian company named Tir for the body panels. Once completed, the Aerosa was presented to the press in Japan with Japanese, Italian and German flags on display representing each country that was involved in the project. The heavily revised and was completed in time for the 1997 Geneva Motor Show, and subsequently Gigliato announced plans for a motorsport program beginning in 1998 with a stop at one of the world’s oldest active sports car races, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. At this point, the name was also changed to become the Aerosa GTS, and the pop-up headlights were also replaced by enclosed headlights. In 1998, Lamborghini was acquired by the Volkswagen Group. With this big shake-up, plans for the Aerosa seemingly vanished.
How many made? 1 of 1
Engine: 4.6L Mustang V8 - 309hp
Debut: 1993 Frankfurt Motor show/1997 Geneva Motor Show
Top Speed: 162mph (claimed)
0-60: 4.9 seconds (claimed)
Photo Credit: @cartefacts.offical (Cartefacts.com)
Research: @rarecarsonly
1997 Gigliato Design Aerosa/Aerosa GTS
03.09.2024
Gigliato Design