Italian car manufacturers are widely known for the production of elegant sports cars. At the same time there are some of the ugliest Italian cars which are ever made…
Contents
Overview
The first thoughts that most gearheads have when an Italian automobile is mentioned are ones of beauty and luxury. The Ferrari 250 GTO, Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, and Lamborghini Miura, to name a few, are some of the most exquisite automobiles ever produced by Italian automakers Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Alfa Romeo. But even Italian automakers can experience failure. The sad truth is that Italians have also produced some truly repulsive automobiles, the designs of which give the impression that the creators were asleep at the wheel. So let’s look at ten ugly cars that show even Italian designers can make mistakes occasionally.
10. 1995 Lancia Ypsilon
The Ypsilon is a perfect representation of Lancia’s decline. The 1995 Ypsilon was marketed as a compact, reasonably priced, and economical hatchback for growing families. Sadly, it received a lot of flak for its hideous design. The Ypsilon’s back appears out of proportion, while the front appears squashed. The Ypsilon is still manufactured today despite its unattractive appearance. In case you were wondering, contemporary generations still have dreadful looks.
9. 1956 Ferrari Superamerica 410 (Ghia)
When Ferrari wants to create a vehicle with a striking appearance, Pininfarina is usually the company it turns to. Ferrari attempted to collaborate with Ghia on a concept car in the 1950s, but it was a grave error. The Ferrari 410 Superamerica concept car was meant to be Ferrari’s interpretation of contemporary American designs. But it ultimately failed terribly. The vehicle had a harsh chrome waistline panel, a wraparound windshield, an oversized chrome grille that didn’t resemble any other Ferrari grilles, and ugly tailfins that housed the taillights. We’re fortunate that this terrible automobile was never produced.
8. Covini C6W
One of those cars that makes you wonder, “What were they thinking?” is the Covini C6W. One thing immediately stands out about this car: it has six wheels! Yes, someone believed that a supercar with six wheels would be a good idea. Many arguments surrounded the C6W because some gearheads believed the extra set of wheels could enhance driving dynamics. But one thing was universally acknowledged among gearheads: it’s not a pretty sight.
7. Lancia Thesis
Business executives and dignitaries were supposed to use the Lancia Thesis as one of the top luxury vehicles of the 2000s to travel to airports. Unfortunately, it turned out to be yet another Lancia blunder, largely because of its awful design elements. The Thesis’ worst feature was its oddly minimalistic front end, which featured headlights that didn’t fit in and a grille that resembled a mediaeval shield. In particular, those oddly shaped taillights on the back were equally bad.
6. 1989 Alfa Romeo SZ
Alfa Romeo is skilled at creating beautiful vehicles. Just take a look at the Giulia sedan, the 4C and 8C, the recognisable Tipo 33 Stradale, and all the other gorgeous vehicles the Italian manufacturer has produced over the years. While the majority of Alfa Romeos have had beautiful designs, some of them are just downright ugly. One such vehicle is the SZ. The Alfa Romeo SZ, which was created in association with Zagato, was one of the first automobiles to be computer-designed. However, it’s obvious how outdated computers were back in the 1980s.
5. Lamborghini LM002
Every gearhead wants to drive one of the high-performance supercars Lamborghini typically makes. However, the Italian brand attempted to create a massive off-road truck in the late 1980s, which was completely different. Gearheads were ecstatic while the LM002, also known as the “Rambo Lambo”, was being developed. Unfortunately, when Lamborghini finally unveiled the car, the excitement was replaced by resentment. Even though the LM002 had a V12 engine from a Countach and many upscale features, most gearheads found it to be too ugly. This is the reason why only 328 LM002s were produced.
4. Alfa Romeo 166
The Alfa Romeo 166 is another car that doesn’t belong in the club of beautiful cars. The 166 was a large executive sedan that was first introduced in 1996 with the goal of competing with German sedans from brands like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW. Unfortunately, the 166 failed miserably because it couldn’t compete with its German rivals in terms of appearance. The tiny grille appeared out of place, and the headlights were too small and spaced too far apart.
3. Fiat Multipla
The Fiat Multipla has received numerous awards ever since it was first released in the late 1990s. Sadly, every award the Multipla has won up to this point has been for having the most hideous features of any automobile. The design of the Multipla isn’t all that interesting, and it even appears to have been intentionally made to be ugly. This car is very weird which is why this car ranks low in everyone’s wishlist.
2. Ferrari FF
When the Ferrari FF made its debut in 2011, it left every gearhead confused. The FF received a lot of criticism despite being Ferrari’s first all-wheel-drive vehicle ever because of its terrible design. One notable difference from the sleek, sporty designs Ferrari is primarily known for is the wagon body style. Due to its unusually shaped grille that resembles a grinning face, the front end looks ominous and frightening, and some gearheads may mistake the rear end for a cheap hatchback.
1. Lamborghini Veneno
Just take a look at the Countach and almost every other Lamborghini produced after it to see that Lamborghini isn’t new to creating outrageous designs. The designers at Lamborghini occasionally go a little too far with their creations, though. A good illustration of that is the Veneno. The majority of gearheads were unimpressed by the Veneno’s design when it made its debut in 2013. Its bodywork is very complicated; there are too many creases and vents that give the impression that an accident has occurred. The Veneno is one of the most expensive supercars ever made, costing over $4 million, despite its unattractive appearance.
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