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Italian Mazzanti Evantra adds V8 power before 2013 Monaco debut

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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.

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Stephen Edelstein
Stephen Edelstein
Contributing Editor
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
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