No batter hits a home run on every swing, and the same is true for high-concept design houses. ItalDesign Giugiaro has been at the center of the advanced design universe for decades, and its greatest-hits list only contains the dozens of cars it can publicly take credit for.
Many more of ItalDesign’s brilliant ideas are white-labelled and the manufacturer simply takes the credit. So the provenance from which the Brivido emerges is without question.
Powered by a 360-horsepower turbo 3.0-liter V6, the Brivido’s most striking elements are its somewhat retro surfacing to the hood and bodysides, with a dark lower nose and tail emphasizing performance over aesthetics.
But these dark areas are dressed remarkably with LED styling that is still ahead of its time. The flowing white LED strakes in the lower intake area appear shaped by the wind, while a single stack of vertical LEDS forms the headlamps.
Out back, we also see a deconstructed LED taillamp take prominence under the fastback trunk. These 3D strakes of light form a unique visual signature at night, and are starting to make their way into production on numerous high-dollar exotics and mainstream cars alike.
One of the most striking features in profile are the apex windows embedded in the gullwing doors. These provide an extra sensory element at speed, with driver and passenger able to clearly see parts of the road fly by underneath.
It is not a hugely appealing design, to be honest; nor is its performance that legendary. The 62-mph sprint for this DB9-sized car is only 5.8-seconds, which is well off the pace of current supercars, GT cars or even the hottest hatchbacks. For comparison, the Porsche 911 Turbo S does the 60-mph sprint in just 2.6-seconds — less than half the Brivido’s (theoretical) time.
2012 ItalDesign Giugiaro BRIVIDO
ItalDesign Giugiaro BRIVIDO
Brivido is Capable of reaching 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, with a maximum speed of 275 km/h without compromising on-board comfort or space.
Aluminium, carbon fibre, and glass are the materials that define the Brivido’s exterior. The lines of the body, painted in Xirallic pearl lustre red, are sinuous and aerodynamic and accentuate the sporty, elegant character of this latest Gran Turismo from Giugiaro.
The windscreen, roof, rear window, and large door windows form a glass dome that lets natural light pour into the passenger compartment. There the occupants are surrounded by an exclusive level of finish and high-technology, whilst they enjoy the surrounding scenery and urban landscapes as they travel.
“This is a quest for a genuine four seater,” Giugiaro says, “to offer comfort and visibility, especially for the rear passengers, which is usually sacrificed in this type of vehicle. As always, I’ve tried to offer solutions which can be achieved practically. The inclusion one wide door on each side that rise like gull wings is the only “exotic” concession which makes the Brivido a show car. The rest of the solutions are perfectly applicable for vehicles destined for the market. The rear passengers, specifically, can access their seats without having to duck down or lower the front backrests. Instead they can enter the vehicle easily and naturally”.
A record-breaking light cluster
Visibility is also a watchword on the outside of the passenger compartment as the Brivido showcases real innovation in exterior lighting. Thanks to LED technology, the headlight clusters are not only functional, but also represent a never-before-seen stylistic feature. Extending 2600 mm from the front bonnet, each cluster hugs the sinuous lines of the body and finishes midway along the side panel, at the height of the side door. These clusters thus also act as both sidelights and direction indicators.
“For several years now, thanks to new technologies like LEDs,” continues Giorgetto Giugiaro, “even quintessentially functional elements like light clusters have become something more: a distinctive element and a design signature. With these innovative light clusters we are confident that the Brivido will be instantly recognizable even in the total darkness of night”.
The side of the Brivido hides a final technological treasure: the side mirrors have been replaced by an innovative system comprising of two cameras which literally emerge from the body. When the control is activated, the wings concealing the two micro-cameras, positioned at the height of the side air intakes, open up 90 degrees and activate the cameras. The camera images are then displayed on monitors built into the steering wheel column.
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.