Growing up with the original Top Gear, my brain was hardwired to love Italian car brands like Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Alfa Romeo — thanks, Jeremy Clarkson. To me, these Italian machines aren’t just cars, they’re moving poetry capable of immense speeds and stirring emotions in ways few others can.
Whereas German cars are all about precision and American ones about brute force, the Italians build cars that evoke emotion, flaws, and all. Today, we’re highlighting some of the most gorgeous Italian sports cars from the 21st century.
Reasoning Behind The Beauties
This list is purely subjective and based on my personal preference of being an Italian carlover. All the facts and figures are sourced from the manufacturers unless stated otherwise, and models are ranked from oldest to newest.
Ferrari Enzo
Even after two decades, the Ferrari Enzo remains a masterpiece. Inspired by Formula 1, its sharp, angular body features subtle curves and strategic air intakes that not only serve an aerodynamic purpose but also an aesthetic one.
The cherry on the cake, however, was its mid-mounted 6.0-liter V12 engine producing 650 horsepower and 485 lb-ft of torque. Road and Track clocked a 0 to 60 mph time of just 3.3 seconds. So, it doesn’t just look and sound spectacular, it performs that way, too.
Lamborghini Murcielago
The Murcielago was Lamborghini’s first V12-powered supercar under Volkswagen Group ownership. Named after a legendary Spanish fighting bull and the Spanish word for “bat,” it even made a cameo as Bruce Wayne’s ride in The Dark Knight trilogy.
The naturally aspirated V12 is a showstopper, but the real highlight is its aggressive yet elegant design. My favorite part is its air intakes, which open up like a bat spreading its wings. If for some reason the standard Murcielago is a tad too tame for your liking, Lamborghini made a few different variants, including an open-top Roadster and the limited-edition LP670-4 SuperVeloce.
Pagani Zonda
Pagani has produced numerous iterations of the Zonda since its late-’90s debut, but few are as breathtaking as the Zonda Roadster F. Its extensive use of exposed carbon fiber isn’t just for weight savings — it gives the car an unmistakable one-of-a-kind look.
With bug-eyed headlights and a signature quad-tipped exhaust, the Zonda Roadster F is both futuristic and timeless. Power comes from an AMG-derived V12 paired with a six-speed manual transmission, both proudly displayed since the engine bay has a transparent panel, and the transmission is completely bare in the cockpit.
Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
In 2008, the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione won “Best Design of The Year,” and it’s easy to see why. With its flowing lines, soulful headlights, traditional Alfa wheels, and short rear overhang, the 8C is pure automotive art.
It’s not just a pretty face, though. Under its hood, there’s a Ferrari-built V8 engine that sounds almost angelic. Sadly, no Alfa that followed has managed to replicate its beauty — not even its bite-sized spiritual successor, the Alfa Romeo 4C.
Ferrari 458
The Ferrari 458 isn’t just one of the best-looking Ferraris of the modern era — it might be the best Ferrari to date, period. Its mid-mounted 4.5-liter V8 engine, also used in the aforementioned 8C, revs up to 9,000 rpm and pushes 562 hp.
The 458’s design was so influential that it set the standard for the Ferraris that followed. Its successors, the 488 GTB and F8 Tributo, tried to emulate it, but never quite captured the same magic. If, for whatever reason, the 458 Italia is too subtle for you, you might fall in love with the roofless 458 Spider or the over-the-top 458 Speciale.
Lamborghini Aventador
It’s hard to believe the Lambo Aventador is already 14 years old — it looks like it came out just yesterday. I remember a time when my friends and I all had the same wallpaper on our phones: A bright orange Aventador with black wheels. Normally, I’m not a fan of black wheels, but on that car, they just worked.
The Aventador also marks the last time Lamborghini used a V12 engine without the help of any electric motors. And if the original Aventador coupe isn’t outlandish enough, you might prefer the SVJ or Ultimae Roadster that came after it.
Ferrari F12berlinetta
Not long after the 458’s debut, Ferrari introduced the F12berlinetta, a V12-powered grand tourer with an intoxicating blend of power and elegance. Its successor, the 812 Superfast, may be more powerful, but the F12 feels more refined, polished, and less aggressive — qualities that add to its beauty.
But don’t let its beauty fool you. It’s still capable of 211 mph thanks to its 730-hp 6.3-liter V12, which has an 8,700-rpm redline. It also holds a special place in Ferrari’s history as the last Pininfarina-designed model, which could make it a future collector’s item.
Fiat 124 Spider Abarth
The 124 Spider proved that you don’t need a lot of power to have fun in a stunning Italian sports car. And in Abarth trim, with its Record Monza exhaust, it sounds the part, too.
Top Gear reports that the 124 shares its underpinnings with the ND-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata, but comes with a different engine. Instead of a naturally aspirated four-cylinder, the Abarth 124 uses Fiat’s own 164-hp 1.4-liter MultiAir turbo-four. According to Kelley Blue Book, you can pick up a used Abarth 124 for as little as $13,500 — a bargain for an Italian roadster.
Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4
Based on the Aventador, the Countach LPI 800-4 is Lamborghini’s way of celebrating the original Countach’s 50th birthday. Somehow, they managed to resurrect an icon without trampling its grave.
Only 112 examples of the revived Countach were ever made, each fitted with scissor doors and a naturally aspirated V12 engine — just like the classic Countach. The 6.5-liter V12 borrowed from the Aventador produces 803 hp and gives the modern Countach a 220-mph top speed.
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale
Lamborghini isn’t the only brand bringing beloved models back from the dead. Alfa Romeo reimagined the legendary 33 Stradale for the modern era, blending retro styling with futuristic elements.
While it retains the silhouette and butterfly doors of its ancestor, the new 33 Stradale features modern tech and a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that sounds like it belongs in an orchestra. Few cars manage to pull off nostalgic and forward-thinking like the 33 Stradale.
Maserati MC20
Earlier this year, a 2023 Maserati MC20 sold for $168,000 on Bring a Trailer — approximately $60,000 less than its original MSRP. Sure, buying a new one might be a terrible financial decision, but with a face like that, I can think of a thousand reasons why I’d stomach the depreciation.
The MC20 has doors that go up, an F1-inspired twin-turbocharged V6 that sits behind the driver, and a simple, modern cockpit. Maserati even offers a topless version, the MC20 Cielo, which takes everything great about the coupe and makes it even more dramatic.
Why Italian Cars Are Special
Even when standing still, Italian sports cars evoke emotion, and when you’re behind the wheel of one, they remind you that cars aren’t just for getting from A to B.
While other manufacturers strive for perfection, Italian sports cars embrace passion, drama, and sometimes a hint of madness. The cars on this list prove that beauty in the automotive world is far from dead — you just have to know where to look.
