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autoevolution's Italian Month

For a very long time, the Italians (and their predecessors the Romans) have been trying to take over the better part of Europe, including by means of force. This approach failed, but if you look around, you realize they have gained a strong grip on the world, not just Europe, and they did so through more peaceful means.

The Italian cuisine, with its amazing pastas and pizzas, can be found on dinner tables around the planet. The Italian football, or soccer as we call it here in the U.S., is among the most-watched sports on Earth. Fashion feels at home in Italy, from where it spreads its influence to faraway lands. And so does art.

As far as we’re concerned, the Italians finally managed to take over the world through the vehicles they make. The cars and bikes made in the Peninsula may not be the most widespread out there - some are not remarkable in any way, but others sure are the standard by which we judge everything else in the industry. Nobody ever dreams of owning a Fiat, but all of us drool now and then over a Ferrari. Maybe we’re not all into motorcycles or scooters, but billions of us have at least heard of Ducati or Vespa.

In one form or another, the Italian way of making vehicles has influenced the world. At times something good comes out of it, other times not so much. But the reality remains Italian engineering is right up there at the top of the food chain, ruling the world, and it got there without the need for marching armies and invasions.

Because we like how Italy plays the game, we decided to honor it with a month-long coverage this July, called Italian Month. We’re not going to talk about food or clothes, but about cars, bikes and other mechanical wonders that were designed to move people, both literally and figuratively.

Editor's note: This special feature by autoevolution was not sponsored or supported by a third-party.
Alfa Romeo Could Have Made a Mustang: Meet the FNM Onça
Alfa Romeo Could Have Made a Mustang: Meet the FNM Onça

31 Jul 2021, 11:05 UTC · By: Gustavo Henrique Ruffo / We talked about the rare vehicle with Ricardo Oppi, the classic car restorer that recovered two of the four units ever produced by FNM.

 
Stunning Belafonte Superyacht Concept Proves Some Things Never Go Out of Style
Stunning Belafonte Superyacht Concept Proves Some Things Never Go Out of Style

31 Jul 2021, 06:39 UTC · By: Elena Gorgan / Designed by Federico Fiorentino as a modern classic, The Belafonte is just as beautiful today as it was when introduced, a true Italian classic

 
Ducati 996 “Project Y” Is How You Elevate a Custom Venture to Utter Perfection
Ducati 996 “Project Y” Is How You Elevate a Custom Venture to Utter Perfection

30 Jul 2021, 21:31 UTC · By: Silvian Secara / You may remember our article on this Duc’s older brother – an alloy-clad wonder from VR Customs. Well, you ought to brace yourselves, because this is the sequel

 
Pagani Zonda Revolución Is Terrifying Yet Amazing to Drive
Pagani Zonda Revolución Is Terrifying Yet Amazing to Drive

30 Jul 2021, 11:59 UTC · By: Dragos Chitulescu / Italian driver Davide Cironi takes the Pagani Zonda Revolución out for a spirited drive around Imola circuit, and it seems to be a life changing experience.

 
Abarth 695 Esseesse’s Variable Spoiler: Will It Improve Aero or Just Aesthetics?
Abarth 695 Esseesse’s Variable Spoiler: Will It Improve Aero or Just Aesthetics?

30 Jul 2021, 07:31 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The Abarth 695 range welcomed a new limited-edition member not long abo and it comes with an interesting adjustable spoiler.

 
Get to Know Ferrari's Most Spectacular Formula 1 Engines
Get to Know Ferrari's Most Spectacular Formula 1 Engines

29 Jul 2021, 14:56 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Throughout the years, Ferrari's successful Formula 1 program has been responsible for some of the most epic engines ever created.

 
Examining the Lamborghini Aventador’s Innovative Pushrod Suspension System
Examining the Lamborghini Aventador’s Innovative Pushrod Suspension System

29 Jul 2021, 14:17 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Released in 2011, Lamborghini's latest flagship brought many innovations including a racecar-inspired pushrod suspension system.

 
Meet the Cizeta V16T, The Supercar that Should Have Been a Lamborghini
Meet the Cizeta V16T, The Supercar that Should Have Been a Lamborghini

29 Jul 2021, 11:53 UTC · By: Ciprian Florea / The brainchild of an ex-Lamborghini engineer, the Cizeta V16T featured a Gandini-design body that was originally created for the Lambo Diablo

 
We Simply Can’t Get Enough of This Reworked 2018 Ducati Monster 797
We Simply Can’t Get Enough of This Reworked 2018 Ducati Monster 797

28 Jul 2021, 17:25 UTC · By: Silvian Secara / The makeover performed on this Duc isn’t as extensive as some of Angry Lane’s other ventures, but it does the Monster to the next level

 
These Five Influential Cars From Around The World Have Italian Roots
These Five Influential Cars From Around The World Have Italian Roots

29 Jul 2021, 07:45 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Apart from Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Maseratis, Italian designers created some of the most influential cars that weren't built in Italy

 
Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione II: The Greatest Hot Hatch Ever Built
Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione II: The Greatest Hot Hatch Ever Built

29 Jul 2021, 07:12 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The ultimate road-legal version of the most successful rally car in history, this amazing Lancia represents Italian engineering at its finest

 
ATS 2500 GT: The Forgotten Italian Sportscar Built by Engineering Legends
ATS 2500 GT: The Forgotten Italian Sportscar Built by Engineering Legends

28 Jul 2021, 11:41 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / In 1961, Enzo Ferrari fired some of his most talented engineers who would go on to establist ATS and develop the innovative 2500 GT

 
The Isetta Story: How an Italian-Designed Microcar Saved BMW From Bankruptcy
The Isetta Story: How an Italian-Designed Microcar Saved BMW From Bankruptcy

28 Jul 2021, 07:13 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The Isetta was born in Italy and featured Iso badges but it would reach new heights in Germany where it became on of BMW's most influential models

 
Magonis Unleashes First Boat, the E-550: Electric and Italian Luxury for Pennies
Magonis Unleashes First Boat, the E-550: Electric and Italian Luxury for Pennies

28 Jul 2021, 07:05 UTC · By: Cristian Curmei / This electric boat is the first from Magonis and features a starting price under $40,000. Options for stronger motors exist but can cost you more than $80,000.

 
World’s Oldest Ferrari Barn Find, a 1967 330 GT 2+2, Remains Shrouded in Mystery
World’s Oldest Ferrari Barn Find, a 1967 330 GT 2+2, Remains Shrouded in Mystery

28 Jul 2021, 06:09 UTC · By: Elena Gorgan / The Ferrari 330 GT Series II was discovered in Australia in 2020, where it’s been mothballed for close to 5 decades. It hasn’t been authenticated yet

 
Rizer: Most Realistic Ascending and Descending Bike Trainer to Hit the Market
Rizer: Most Realistic Ascending and Descending Bike Trainer to Hit the Market

27 Jul 2021, 19:22 UTC · By: Cristian Curmei / This cycling trainer features the ability to rise and descend in order to simulate a real ride. Includes a flexing steering system to shift the bike around.

 
Over 500 Hours of Painstaking Labor Were Invested Into This Custom Ducati 900SS
Over 500 Hours of Painstaking Labor Were Invested Into This Custom Ducati 900SS

27 Jul 2021, 18:12 UTC · By: Silvian Secara / To sum it all up, Jay Larossa’s 900SS-based undertaking is a clear demonstration of perseverance, blooming creativity and praiseworthy craftsmanship

 
Striatus Is World’s First Freestanding Concrete 3D Printed Bridge In Venice
Striatus Is World’s First Freestanding Concrete 3D Printed Bridge In Venice

27 Jul 2021, 15:17 UTC · By: Cristian Curmei / This 3D printed bridge features construction based upon principles of Roman bridges where each piece holds others in their place with nothing more than weight.

 
The Story of the Alfa Romeo Carabo, the Concept that Pioneered the Scissor Doors
The Story of the Alfa Romeo Carabo, the Concept that Pioneered the Scissor Doors

27 Jul 2021, 14:40 UTC · By: Ciprian Florea / Space-age looks aside, the Carabo also pioneered the scissor doors, a feature that would find its way on production models for decades to come

 
Ducati Paul Smart 1000 LE Becomes Even Prettier Following a Bespoke Makeover
Ducati Paul Smart 1000 LE Becomes Even Prettier Following a Bespoke Makeover

27 Jul 2021, 13:14 UTC · By: Silvian Secara / Many of you will go weak at the knees when taking a closer look at this custom marvel, but it’s just business as usual for a firm like Analog Motorcycles