ITALIAN CAR MANUFACTURERS have designed some of the most desirable cars ever made. Italian cars flaunt flair, style and class as well as glamour.
But these cars deliver on performance too – and are great fun to take out on the open road to test the sporty credentials.
We’ve rounded up some irresistible Italian motors for a variety of budgets.
Under €100k
2004 Ferrari 360 F1 Spider, €82,500
The Ferrari 360 F1 Spider is full of sensory delights. It is an elegant car with a removable roof that is faultless in appearance and operation. With just the touch of a button the roof performances an intricate mechanical dance before disappearing fully under the long rear deck.
You and all the others looking longingly at this Italian beauty are then treated to some wonderful features like the roll hoops, fins and glass engine cover. This car really does stun with the roof up and down.
Under €75k
2015 Maserati Quattroporte, €74,900
The Maserati Quattroporte oozes Italian charm and dramatic flair. But it not only looks good, it is powerful too. When it was first launched in 1963 it was the fastest four-seater car in the world.
This particular model is powered by a 404hp 3.0-litre twin turbo V6 engine, which sounds glorious, and is mated to a slick eight-speed ZF transmission. It handles beautifully and is a real pleasure to drive.
Under €50k
2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia, €42,995
The Alfa Romeo Giulia looks the business. It is super stylish both inside and out and turns heads wherever it goes. But its great looks are backed up with a a great chassis.
The Giulia is great to drive and refined too and handles rough, potholed roads beautifully. It’s also rather sporty for an executive saloon and this model comes in Super Sport spec, meaning it is well kitted out with plenty of luxury extras.
Under €40k
2017 Fiat 124 Spider, €36,745
The new Fiat 124 Spider screams retro Italian glamour and classic sports car. It is brimming with character and full of the Italian passion for driving… even if its underpinnings are Japanese.
It has wonderful handling, a sonorous engine and a brilliantly balanced chassis and, of course, it is fun to drive, especially with the roof down.
Under €20k
1966 Lancia Fulvia, £12,500 (€14,315)
This Lancia shares its name with the first Roman non-mythological woman to appear on Roman coins. True story!
The Fulvia was built before Fiat took over so it is all Lancia – and back in the day Lancia were considered to be the Italian BMW, I kid you not.
This particular model is the two-door coupe and looks very stylish in its ‘aubergine’ paint and classic tan leather interior. It was restored ten years ago and was repainted and had its front seats re-trimmed just last year.
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