Description
This month we celebrate the extraordinary Alfa Romeo GTV and Spider 916, by driving two pristine sports cars back-to-back: the earliest and latest examples on UK roads. Another group test this issue is a head-to-head of three versions of Fiat’s seminal 850: saloon, coupe and spider. We’ve been to Turin to drive the new Fiat 500 Hybrid with a 1.0 petrol engine and – wait for it – a manual gearbox. We also hear from Abarth’s chief about how the brand could soon be returning to petrol power. We’ve also driven Ferrari’s new 640hp V8 Amalfi coupe, and taken a classic 1965 Alfa Giulia 1300 ti to the Italian Alps and back. Then we have the amazing story of a one-off turbocharged version of the Fiat Tipo Sedicivalvole – it’s so good, we wonder why Fiat didn’t make it itself. Other stories include an in-depth look at the Zagato Ferrari FZ93, a review of complicated Italian production runs, and a trip to The Monte Hospital. Add in season-ending event reports, news and cars for sale, and Auto Italia provides a truly heavenly start to 2026!
CONTENTS
ALFA ROMEO GTV & SPIDER 916 – Two stunning examples show why it’s a classic
FIAT 850 GROUP TEST – Three classic Fiat 850 variants tested back-to-back: berlina, coupe and spider
FERRARI AMALFI – Maranello’s reworked Roma on test in Portugal: how does it drive?
FIAT TIPO 16V TURBO – Why on earth didn’t Fiat build this hot hatch? We test a UK-built one-off
FERRARI FZ93 – Full profile of Zagato’s outrageous Testarossa rebody from 1993
FIAT 500 HYBRID – First drive of the new petrol-engined baby Fiat, complete with six-speed manual transmission
ALFA GIULIA 1300 TI ON TOUR – Auto Italia takes to the Alps in the 12in12 Rally
SPAGHETTI CARS – Uh oh, spaghettio! Classic tales of convoluted production runs
PROFILE: THE MONTE HOSPTIAL – Meet the couple who are keeping Lancia Montecarlos on the road
INTERVIEW – Gaetano Thorel, head of Fiat and Abarth, tells us about his future plans for the brands
GOODWOOD REVIVAL 2025 – An all-out celebration of Alfa Romeo
BROOKLANDS MOTORSPORT DAY 2025 – Our biggest motorsport day yet: full report
FERRARI FINALI MONDIALI 2025 – Maranello’s season-ending spectacle at Mugello
OBSCURATI – Bambino: a rebodied three-seat Fiat 126
