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Alfa Romeo Proteo: A Visionary Concept That Never Was

The Alfa Romeo Proteo stands as a symbol of what could have been, a groundbreaking concept car that promised to combine innovation, elegance, and high-end engineering. Unveiled at the 1991 Geneva International Motor Show, the Proteo was designed to captivate the imagination of car enthusiasts and demonstrate Alfa Romeo’s ability to push the boundaries of automotive design. Despite its technical brilliance and futuristic features, the Proteo never reached production. However, its legacy endures as a source of inspiration for future models, and its influence can still be seen in several convertible sports cars of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The Coupé That Could Have Saved BMW: How the Pininfarina Gran Lusso Shows the Way Forward

The BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé, a stunning collaboration between BMW and the legendary Italian design house Pininfarina, embodies the elegance and refinement that BMW’s current lineup seems to have lost. As BMW faces criticism for its bulky, uninspired designs, this one-off coupé serves as a reminder of what the brand could have been today—graceful, purposeful, and timeless. Could the Gran Lusso Coupé have been the design salvation BMW desperately needs?

The Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer: Pininfarina’s Iconic Departure

The Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer (BB), produced from 1973 to 1984, stands as one of Ferrari’s most radical shifts in design and engineering, thanks to the collaborative work with Pininfarina. The BB was Ferrari’s first mid-engine road car, marking a significant departure from Enzo Ferrari’s long-standing preference for front-engine designs. Its introduction signified a new chapter for Ferrari, aligning more closely with the trends set by other supercar manufacturers at the time.

The Fiat Bravo Concept Cars

The Fiat Bravo Concept cars, unveiled in 1996, showcased the creative prowess of Italian coachbuilders invited by Fiat to reinterpret their new model. Following the tradition set by previous Fiat designs like the Cinquecento and Punto, the Turin Motor Show served as a vibrant platform for these innovations. Out of 25 concept cars debuting at the event, 17 were based on the new Fiat models. Among these, ten were ‘official’ Fiat-sponsored concepts displayed as a group, while seven represented independent, unofficial interpretations by various coachbuilders.

The Cizeta V16T: A Dream Come True

The allure of the Cizeta is encapsulated in the name V16T, which stands for a transverse V16 engine. In the 1980s, making 16 pistons, 16 connecting rods, 64 valves, eight camshafts, two crankshafts, two fuel pumps, and all connected components work in perfect harmony seemed a desperate undertaking. However, the ones who succeeded were not a renowned car manufacturer with a powerful technical department, but a small group of men with limited resources and great ingenuity.

The Timeless Hexagonal Vision of the Lamborghini Marzal

The Lamborghini Marzal, a masterpiece of automotive innovation, emerges as a beacon of creativity in the dynamic landscape of automotive history. Crafted during the vibrant era of the 1960s, this visionary concept car, conceived by Marcello Gandini at Bertone, stands as a testament to the boundless potential of design and engineering. With its avant-garde aesthetics and groundbreaking technology, the Marzal captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, leaving an indelible mark on the automotive industry.

The Autobianchi Runabout: the futuristic Barchetta

In the vibrant landscape of automotive history, certain vehicles stand as beacons of ingenuity and design. Among these legends resides the Autobianchi Runabout, a concept car that emerged from the creative minds of Bertone and Marcello Gandini in 1969 unveiled at the Turin Auto Salon. It was a time when the automotive world was ripe with experimentation and bold ideas, and the Runabout encapsulated the essence of this era perfectly.

The return of a legend: The New Stratos by M.A.T.

The New Stratos is a sporty and exclusive car. The first speciment was developed and built for the German businessman Michael Stoschek who commissioned it to Pininfarina which design and build a modern reinterpretation of his favorite car, the legendary Lancia Stratos. Manifattura Automobili Torino took the challenge to built it into a limited series of 25 speciments. Riccardo Garella explains why the New Stratos is so special.

The Triumph Italia by Vignale

In the pantheon of automotive legends, certain vehicles stand out as timeless icons of style, performance, and craftsmanship. Among these illustrious creations, the Triumph Italia 2000 Coupé occupies a place of honor—a symbol of innovation, elegance, and the enduring allure of classic automobiles.

The BMW Nazca M12 project by Italdesign

The Nazca M12, a visionary collaboration between Italdesign and BMW, is an automotive masterpiece unveiled in the early 1990s. Its sleek design, influenced by Group C racing, is complemented by groundbreaking features like a carbon fiber chassis and a 5.0-liter V12 engine. With only three units produced, the Nazca M12 stands as a rare collector’s gem, showcasing the harmonious blend of Italian creativity and German engineering precision.