These are nine of the best Italian car names ever invented
Actually, it doesn’t matter what Italians call a car, it always sounds graceful to people from other countries. Would you drive a Ferrari Male Alla Testa? That just literally means Ferrari Headache. Doesn’t really exist by the way, we just picked it from Google Translate. These are nine of the best Italian car names ever conceived.
Quattroporte (‘four doors’)
Well, what were they supposed to call their first sedan? Maserati decided in 1968, when they came up with the first, but not too difficult about it. “It’s got four doors, like no other car we make, so why not, uh, that?” And since then, the four-door has been called Maserati so, er, that. So. Thus the simple car name became one of the best Italian car names.
Competizione (‘competition’)
‘Competition’ is not an appealing word in Dutch. But, as so often: pronounce it the Italian way and it immediately sounds exotic. And it’s a name often added to interesting cars, from the Alfa 8C to the Ferrari 812 and, er… the Abarth 595.
Testarossa (‘redhead’)
Yep, Ferrari’s ‘red head’. Only the name of the Testarossa had nothing to do with the playground slang for people with red hair. It’s simply a literal nod to the red-painted valve covers of the 180-degree V12 engine, which produced 390 horsepower. Again: simple, but one of the best Italian car names.
Superleggera (‘super light’)
Originally the term came from an extra lightweight tubular and aluminum body, invented in 1936 by Carrozzeria Touring, who promptly added the word to its name. It has been widely used since then, such as by Lambo for the Gallardo and by Aston Martin for this DBS V12.
Scuderia (‘racing stable’)
The insane alter ego of the F430 got its addition as a tribute to the stables of racehorses. Not surprising, given Ferrari’s little-subtle obsession with prancing thoroughbreds. And not surprising because the F1 branch of the company has been called Scuderia Ferrari for years.
Pista (‘circuit’)
You see it before you. Ferrari is all set to launch the lighter, faster, more brutal version of the 488 GTB, but someone points out that the car it replaces was called ‘Speciale’. Suggestions, anyone? “Well, it’s for the track, so why not just 488 Circuit?” And lo, the 488 Pista was born.
Disco Volante (‘flying saucer’)
As the importance of aerodynamics increased after WWII, coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring (see also ‘Superleggera’) began wind tunnel testing of streamlined designs for Alfas, then known as the 1900 C52. When someone noticed the resemblance to UFOs, it became the Flying Saucer.
Squadra Corse (“Race Team”)
“Hello, we are the Lamborghini race team.” Okay. But try it in Italian. “Buongiorno, noi siamo la Lamborghini Squadra Corse.” Better, right? You’ll still get all the info, but at least it sounds like you’re with a bad-ass anti-crime unit.
countach (‘OMFG holy s**t!’)
When Marcello Gandini showed one of his collaborators a sketch, he shouted ‘Contact me!’, a cry used in the local dialect for female beauty. Gandini liked the sound of it, and asked then test driver Bob Wallace what he thought. His answer was simple: a thumbs up.
