When we talk about cars, especially luxury and sport cars, most people think of Germany.
In truth, automotive production in Italy is quite prolific. It’s enough to know that our country ranks among the top five global car producers.
The Italian automotive industry began its journey in 1884, when Enrico Bernardi built the tricycle car. In 1899, Giovanni Agnelli and his partner formed Fiat to produce their original design. To no one’s surprise, to this day Fiat leads the automotive market in Italy. For a while, it seemed like every other car was a Fiat 500, both in and outside of Italy.
Italian luxury cars are known for their ability to seamlessly incorporate fine craftsmanship, elegance, style and, most importantly, speed.
The first name that comes to mind when we think of Italian luxury cars is Ferrari. The Ferrari brand was created in 1939 by Enzo Ferrari. It went on to become one of the most famous Italian luxury and racing car brand. It’s so iconic that even its colour is called Ferrari red.
Another Italian luxury car that everyone knows is Lamborghini. Funnily enough, the Lamborghini brand was born out of a desire to compete with Ferrari. Beside loving cars, the creator of the Lamborghini, Ferruccio Lamborghini, was also a fan of the sport of bullfighting, which is reflected in the Lamborghini logo and in the names of many Lamborghini models.
Among the most well-known Italian luxury car brands is also the Maserati, funded in 1914 by the Maserati brothers. To honour their birthplace, the city of Bologna, the brothers modelled the Maserati emblem after the trident held by the Neptune of the famous homonymous statue in the main square of Bologna.
If you look for the best luxury car, choose Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati …but not the Fiat 500!
Fun fact: despite the many Italian luxury cars produced, Fiat is still one of the country’s leading car manufactures. Fiat is also the oldest.