Skip to main content

Italian Mazzanti Evantra adds V8 power before 2013 Monaco debut

Last year, Faralli & Mazzanti announced its intention to join the hallowed ranks of Italian supercar builders with the Evantra, which was unveiled in prototype form in the last days of 2011. Now, Mazzanti is getting ready to show the production version just in time for 2013.

On the outside, the production Evantra looks basically the same as the one unveiled last year. That doesn’t necessarily mean it looks good, though. The front air intake gives the car a big-mouthed appearance, and the channels carved into the sides clash with the rounded fenders.

All of those vents, especially the ones at the back, make it look like a bit of a mess. The taillights (which look like they were taken from a Nissan GT-R) are arranged-Corvette style, but with awkward LED eyebrows.

“Evantra V8 was not born to please everyone, instead [sic] to be herself and to generate emotions with her character and exclusivity,” Luca Mazzanti says of his creation. That’s certainly true: it isn’t exactly beautiful, but the Evantra is striking.

Speaking of V8s, a bigger change comes under the hood. The prototype Evantra was powered by a 3.5-liter flat six, but this version has a 7.0-liter V8.

Consequently, power is up from 600 horses to 701, along with 625 pound-feet of torque. Coupled to a six-speed sequential-manual transmission, Mazzanti says the Evantra can do 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, and reach a top speed of 217 mph.

That means the Evantra should be able to hang with established Italian supercars. The 691 hp Lamborghini Aventador does 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, but has the same 217 mph top speed.

Lamborghini doesn’t offer buyers the choice between carbon fiber and aluminum bodywork, though. The carbon fiber “Pro-Body” is lighter (curb weight is around 2,600 pounds) but the aluminum “One-Body” gives buyers the option of customizing their Evantra with unique styling. Both bodies are draped over a lightweight steel chassis.

The interior includes a couple of unique features. There’s a data acquisition system for track days, as well as a roof-mounted engine starter button. As with many other modern performance cars, drivers can choose between different modes for the engine and transmission. In this case, Mazzanti programmed a “Strada” mode for street driving and a “Corsa” mode for racing.

Mazzanti plans to unveil the Evantra at the Top Marques show in Monaco, which opens April 18. Pricing and availability have not been announced, but Mazzanti only plans on building five cars per year.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Mercedes to trial humanoid robots for ‘low-skill, repetitive, demanding’ jobs
Apptronik's Apollo robot at work in an auto plant.

Humanoid robots have been coming on leaps and bounds in recent years, and some major companies are starting to take note.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, has just entered into an agreement with Texas-based robotics specialist Apptronik to collaborate on identifying applications for highly advanced robots that the auto giant could deploy. The deal will involve a trial that will see Apptronik's Apollo humanoid robot work alongside Mercedes' human workers on the factory floor.

Read more
Hyundai Ioniq 9: price, release date, range, and more
Hyundai Ioniq 9 Front

Hyundai has been at the forefront of EV development for a while now, largely thanks to the success of the crossover-sized Hyundai Ioniq 5. But the company is readying another new EV that could be even more popular than the Ioniq 5 -- or at least more desirable in the U.S., the land of big cars.

The upcoming Ioniq 9, previously set to be called the Ioniq 7, will be Hyundai's take on an electric SUV. It will be to Hyundai what the Kia EV9 is to Kia. It will have three rows and carry over design elements from the Ioniq 5.

Read more
Audi Q6 e-tron ushers in the automaker’s next EV phase
2025 Audi Q6 e-tron front three quarter view.

Audi doesn’t get enough credit for getting luxury car buyers comfortable with EVs. While Tesla took care of the image-conscious types, the German brand unveiled its e-tron electric SUV in 2018 with the tagline “electric has gone Audi” in hopes of getting loyal customers excited about (or, at least, acclimated to) electric cars by pitching the e-tron as an Audi first and an EV second.

The e-tron wasn’t a one-off, either. It’s since evolved into the Q8 e-tron and has been joined by the sporty e-tron GT and entry-level Q4 e-tron. So, while some car brands are only just introducing their first electric models, Audi is ready for round two.

Read more