Riccardo Quaggio is the founder and creative force behind Totem Automobili. Riccardo shares his journey from being a designer at Alfa Romeo to launching a brand that builds fully re-engineered, handcrafted Alfa Romeo Giulia GT restomods with modern technology, custom-built engines, and obsessive attention to detail.

https://totemautomobili.com/

We discuss how Totem began with an electric restomod before shifting focus to an ultra-lightweight twin-turbo V6 version, the challenges of designing an entire car—including a custom carbon fibre monocoque, a completely new suspension, and a bespoke engine—and why something as seemingly simple as designing a door can be harder than making an engine from scratch.

Riccardo also explains the complexities of homologation, crash testing, European regulations, the trade-offs between petrol and EV, and the excruciating attention to comfort and drivability he desires in his builds.

Show Notes:

00:00 The Golden Era of Car Design

02:01 From Designer to Entrepreneur: The Journey Begins

06:08 Reimagining the Alfa Romeo: The Restomod Concept

10:01 Building a Car from Scratch: The Engine Development

13:48 Navigating Regulations: Crash Testing and Compliance

20:02 Electric vs. Petrol: Understanding Customer Preferences

24:04 Challenges in Electric Vehicle Development

30:05 Balancing Comfort and Performance in Car Design

34:32 Developing Traction Control and Customization Options

38:00 Innovative Engine Design and Performance Goals

44:26 Challenges in Scaling Production and Supplier Relations

48:28 Future Developments and Customer Satisfaction

50:19 Memorable Driving Experiences and Personal Preferences

56:39 Dream Garage: A Blend of Classic and Modern Cars

#AlfaRomeo #TotemAutomobili #CarChatPodcast #Restomod #AutomotiveDesign

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices