Italians wear their hearts on their wheels.
When you think of a car as an economical way of getting from point A to point B, you go with something solid and durable. When you feel that cars are more about love than simple mechanics you gravitate towards Italian sports cars. From the prancing horse of Ferrari to the mythical trident of Maserati, Italian cars carry a sense of mystique.
Much like the charming country, Italian cars are full of heart and showcase a superior sense of fashion.
The UAE being a car loving country, supports the perfect market to appreciate and enjoy Italian cars. The market has always leaned towards luxury cars, and the lack of tax, lower insurance rates and affordable gas prices make for the perfect road trip.
Alfa Romeo
The Alfa Romeo is Italy's version of an affordable sports car. This legendary automobile brand has been breaking hearts since 1910. What started off as a racing car evolved into a fabled part of Italian motoring with specially designed cars for the Italian police. The devotion to the car is such that it has its very own bag of legends.
One of many is that the 2600 Sprint GT was raced down the Spanish steps by a police marshal in pursuit of a gang of robbers. An Alfa Romeo owner is so dedicated to a car that the Italians have the nicknames alfista for a single owner and alfisti for a group of them.
If you're opting for an Alfa you want to go with the sporty, flashy and aesthetically superior sports models.
The Brera is a coupe with the stylings of a concept car and a Maserati V8 engine, 260 bhp and a top speed of 240 km/h. For the ultimate Alfista experience, get your name on the list for a limited edition 8C Competizione. The 4.7L engine with 443.8hp make for a car that will change the way you motor forever.
Ferrari
Enzo Ferrari founded the race car manufacturing Scuderia Ferrari in 1929 in Modena, Italy. Almost 80 years hence, a red Ferrari is undoubtedly the most coveted car in the world — a status of wealth and power that heralds one's arrival into a select list of the super rich.
The first road legal Ferrari was produced in 1947 In recent years Michael Schumacher and Ferrari became synonymous with Formula One. The German ace won five consecutive world championships with the team.
Owning a Ferrari is about being noticed. The 599 GTB Fiorano helps. This 2007 model has replaced the Maranello as the companies Gran Turismo Flagship model. The V12 engine comes with 620hp, goes from 0-100 in 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 330 km/h.
Lamborghini
According to founder Ferruccio Lamborghini's son Tonino, this supercar company was founded when his father became unhappy with his Ferrari. Lamborghini was not happy with the clutch on his Ferrari but Enzo Ferrrari told him that his cars had nothing wrong with them.
Ferruccio became so angry that he decided that he would beat Ferrari at his own game, thus creating the equally legendary Lamborghini.
If you want an explosive driving experience, look into the iconic Murcielago.
The current LP640 is everything a supercar should be: loud and intimidating with scissor doors and loads of personality. The 6.5 litre V12 engine also gets you from 0-100 in 3.4 seconds and up to 339km/h.
Maserati
What do you get when you mix six Italian brothers and a whole lot of torque — the celebrated Maserati, a car that has always managed to maintain an air of superior exclusivity. The Maserati currently has four models in the market — three coupes and one sedan. The Coupe, Spyder and Gransport are given constant updates.
The more executive Quattroporte (Italian for four doors) offers all the power of a classic Maserati offering Sport GT with a staggering 400hp. For those who like their cars concept fresh, the company recently presented the Gran Turismo. It's a grand tourer 2+2 coupe with a V8, 4.3 litre engine.
