THE BIZZARRINI GIOTTO

A Tribute to Italian Engineering, and a Legendary Italian Engineer

| BY DOUGIE LOYNES

Thereformed Italian supercar brand Bizzarrini has revealed its first new model, the Bizzarrini Giotto, named after the company’s founder and icon of the Italian automobile industry Giotto Bizzarrini. With its striking looks and exclusive naturally aspirated V12 engine, this limited-run super sports car was always going to be a testament to the rich heritage of Italian design, performance, and La Dolce Vita luxury. But with the passing of Giotto Bizzarrini in May this year, this car named after him will also serve as a tribute to the legacy of one of the last titans from the golden age of Italian engineering.

A true genius in the field of automotive engineering, Giotto Bizzarrini left an indelible mark on the industry. Born in Livorno, Italy, in 1926, Bizzarrini’s journey began as he joined the ranks of Ferrari, where he created the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO. A three-time class winner at the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 1962 and 1964, the 250 GTO is considered a masterpiece of Italian design and still one of the most coveted and revered automobiles today. Only 36 were ever built, and in 2018 the 250 GTO became the most expensive car ever sold when it fetched $70 million in a private sale, a figure only recently surpassed by the $142 million paid for a 955 Mercedes 300 SLR coupe, one of only two in the world.

After leaving Ferrari, Bizzarrini worked with Lamborghini to build the V12 engine, which debuted in the 350 GT. The engine’s design was so exceptional that elements of it continued to be used in Lamborghini vehicles until 2010’s Murcielago, a testament to Bizzarrini’s engineering prowess. Bizzarrini also manufactured cars under his name, with the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada arriving in 1964. This car—and the Bizzarrini brand—was reintroduced to the world in early 2022 with the 5300 GT Corsa Revival, of which only 24 examples were built.

Against this backdrop of rich history, the Bizzarrini Giotto comes to life as the brand’s first entirely new supercar. Drawing inspiration from Bizzarrini’s engineering legacy, the collaboration between Giorgetto Giugiaro and his son Fabrizio, who were involved in the design of the original Bizzarrini 5300 GT, brings a sense of continuity and authenticity to the Giotto, combining contemporary supercar edges with the unmistakably classic Bizzarrini aesthetic. It’s “a car for connoisseurs,” says Bizzarrini CEO Ian Fenton, “exclusively rare and built for pure enjoyment and luxury.”

While technical details of the Giotto are yet to be fully revealed, the company plans to develop an exclusive naturally aspirated V12 engine designed to meet Bizzarrini’s performance, drivability, and emissions standards. This powerful engine will be paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, ensuring an exhilarating driving experience that Bizzarrini CTO Chris Porritt says is at the center of their project.

“We have a very clear vision for the Giotto, defined ultimately by how it makes a driver feel,” Porritt reveals in a recent press release. “We now very deliberately and authentically recreate Giotto’s vision, choosing not to chase acceleration times or lap records but to develop a car that appeals to those experienced drivers seeking purity, authenticity, and rarity. This is vocal and emotive, it’s mechanical, and it’s tactile. But it’s also incredibly practical and luxurious, delivered with the personality and emotion of a bespoke Italian brand.”

As Bizzarrini embarks on a new chapter with the Giotto, it is evident that the brand remains committed to the values and principles that Giotto Bizzarrini himself championed. Testing is due to start in 2024, and it’s hoped that the Giotto’s breath-taking design, supercar specs, and unwavering commitment to craftsmanship will embody the spirit of the Bizzarrini founder and carry forward the name of one of Italy’s greatest automotive icons.