5 of the fastest Italian sports cars, ranked by top speed

Extremely popular not only for its food and stunning landscapes and ruins, Italy is also known as the birthplace of some of the best sports cars in the world. From Ferrari to Lamborghini to Pagani, Italy is the stomping ground and production base of several legendary automotive giants. Over the years, more than a handful of Italian vehicles have set new records in terms of speed and performance.

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Although most of these cars are absolute monsters on the track, their exceptional design is another impressive feature. They are as much a feast for the eyes as they are breathtaking artists. While some might argue that German-made vehicles have an advantage over their Italian counterparts, the latter are taking the lead when it comes to building dangerously fast beauties that top the speed charts. These are some of the fastest sports cars that proudly wear the Made in Italy badge.

(Featured image by Axion23 via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY 2.0)

The Ferrari La Ferrari is anything but a slow car. However, it is the slowest Italian sports car on this list in particular. One of Ferrari’s most notable creations, it was launched in 2013 and was a milestone in the Italian car manufacturer’s journey.

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As much as it’s a feast for the eyes, the LaFerrari’s on-road stats are even more impressive. The car has a top speed of 218 miles per hour and accelerates to 60 miles per hour in under 2.9 seconds. In addition to an 800 hp 6.2-liter V12 naturally aspirated engine, the La Ferrari also has a 120 kW electric motor that increases its total output to 963 hp. The car was designed by some of Ferrari’s most brilliant engineers, including the legendary Rory Bryne – chief designer of Ferrari’s F1 car in the 90s.

The LaFerrari’s chassis-integrated seats and carbon fiber bodywork help reduce overall weight by almost 20%. As Maranelo’s fastest production car at the time, the car was fitted with a special set of Pireli 265/30 R19 tires at the front and 345/20R tires at the rear, which also resulted in better braking performance on the track with the redesigned Brembo braking system.

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The only Lamborghini on the list, the Aventador SVJ is perhaps the best machine to have an angry bull at the helm. Although aesthetically consistent with today’s typical Lamborghini design, the machine is much more than just its looks. The performance figures that the Italian automaker originally promised for the car seemed too good to be true: under the hood is a 6.5-liter V12 capable of producing 759 horsepower. The Lamborghini Aventador SVJ’s top speed is 221 miles per hour and it accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just under 2.8 seconds.

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One of the reasons for the Aventador SVJ’s speed is its aerodynamic design and ultralight chassis. The car’s jet aircraft-inspired design also complements the naturally aspirated engine underneath. The car is made mostly of carbon fiber and aluminum and weighs just 3,615 pounds when empty. The use of carbon fiber extends to the interior, where it is combined with leather and Alcantara for a luxurious finish.

(Featured image by Alexander Migl via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY-SA 4.0)

Pininfarina is one of the most famous names in the Italian automotive industry. Pininfarina started out as a coachbuilder and designed some of the most famous vehicles for automakers like Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and even Rolls Royce. But with Rimac’s electric DNA, Pininfarina introduced the Battistsa in 2019: an all-electric hypercar with a top speed of 222 miles per hour. It’s the company’s most powerful car ever, with an engine that’s as great on paper as it is on the road.

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Thanks to its 1,900 horsepower powertrain, the Batista can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.7 seconds. With its 120 kWh lithium-ion battery, it has a total range of 300 miles, which can vary greatly depending on the driving mode and the intensity of the driving experience. Due to the extensive use of carbon fiber monocoque in the chassis, the total weight of the car is 5,247 pounds. Additionally, Pininfarina has taken luxury to the next level with the Battista, offering customization options for nearly every element of the vehicle, both interior and exterior.

The first Pagani on the list is the Zonda R, the dream car for many gearheads and wannabe racers. The Zonda R looks like it came straight out of a futuristic movie and one look at it is enough to talk about its performance. The car, introduced in 2007, is only allowed to drive on the race track for good reason. The Zonda R has a top speed of 233 miles per hour and has an engine that perfectly complements its visual appeal.

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With its Mercedes-AMG 6.0-liter V12 and a six-speed longitudinal gearbox with paddle shift, the Zonda R can deliver up to 750 hp and reach the 0-100 km/h mark in just under 2.7 seconds. When it comes to engine sound, this is perhaps one of the most beautiful-sounding Italian beauties, with its four-cylinder exhaust producing a beautiful sound reminiscent of a Formula 1 machine at 7,500 rpm.

Pagani is also often synonymous with super-fast machines mostly Street legal. The Italian automaker’s bold and aggressive design of its cars goes well with its almost unreal performance figures. Although a handful of stunning vehicles like the Zonda have been introduced in recent years, the Huayra BC is Pagani’s fastest car – and arguably its best. The Huayra BC is nothing short of a work of art, and Pagani has clearly left no stone unturned in its design. Pagani was able to maintain its aesthetic appeal while ensuring optimal aerodynamics in the design of the vehicle.

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The BC in the name stands for “Benny Caiola”, who in a way inspired the development of the car and was also the first person ever to own a Pagani. The Huayra BC features a carbon titanium monocoque chassis and chrome vanadium steel tubing, bringing the total curb weight to just under 2,686 pounds. It is equipped with a 5.98-liter twin-turbocharged Mercedes-AMG V12 engine that produces 753 horsepower and can reach a top speed of 238 miles per hour. The rear-engine seven-speed longitudinal automatic transmission features a single-clutch mechanism instead of a dual-clutch mechanism, which helps reduce weight.

(Featured image by Benleo via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY-SA 4.0)

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