Auto Italia - Auto Italia Issue 345

In dit nummer

With a tear in our eye, it’s time to say goodbye to the Abarth 595/695 family, which bows out with the new 75th Anniversary limited edition. But let’s not cry – let’s celebrate one of the best fun cars ever with a giant 10-strong group test of special editions. Two very special supercar classics face off in a back-to-back test of the Ferrari 458 Speciale and Lamborghini Gallardo Edizione Tecnica – which one wins? Two more rare and exotic Italian classics feature this month, too: the controversial De Tomaso Vallelunga and Abarth 208 A. We also review the work of design hero Filippo Sapino, of Ghia and Pininfarina fame. We have a round-up of every Alfa Romeo estate car ever made from Giulia to 159 Sportwagon, while Alfa fans will also lap up our report on National Alfa Day. We also test the new Fiat 600 Hybrid and Fiat 500 Collezione 1957, and round up 2024’s summer shows with some spectacular Italian cars and track action. CONTENTS ABARTH 500/595/695 CELEBRATION – Special edition group test from Edizione Maserati to 75th Anniversary FERRARI 458 V LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO – 458 Speciale faces Edizione Tecnica ALFA ROMEO ESTATES – Wagons ahoy! Every Alfa Romeo estate car reviewed ABARTH 208 A SPYDER BOANO – Abarth’s doomed attempt to conquer the USA DE TOMASO VALLELUNGA – Very early 1960s mid-engined sports car driven FIAT 600 HYBRID 100HP – New petrol hybrid-powered 600 on test FIAT 500 COLLEZIONE 1957 – Last-of-the-line limited edition driven FILIPPO SAPINO – Revealed: all the designs of the maestro from Ghia, Pininfarina and more NORTHERN ITALIAN CAR DAY – Full report on Auto Italia’s superb Raby Castle event FESTIVAL ITALIA – Brands Hatch race action on track, show cars off track NATIONAL ALFA DAY – A full report of AROC’s 60th birthday celebration at Bicester Heritage FESTIVAL OF THE UNEXCEPTIONAL – Italian cars are never ‘mundane’ – are they? OBSCURATI – Amalfi Passero: a mini Countach replica based on the Fiat X1/9