4 days ago
UK ambassador summoned after Brit firm adds Rover V8 into Italian supercar
UK ambassador summoned after Brit firm adds Rover V8 into Italian supercar
Outcry triggers international incident over inclusion of 'incorrect' engine
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Here's roving correspondent, Cory Spondent, with his mostly incorrect exclusives from the world of motoring
An association representing boutique Italian carmakers has summoned the UK ambassador following a British company's decision to fit a Rover V8 into its Italian-inspired supercar.
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Bella Potere, working out of an industrial estate in Stevenage, recently revealed the 'Macchina 1' performance car, heavily influenced by Italy's world famous and historic automotive industry.
However, the Macchina 1 has since caused an outcry after its makers revealed it was powered by a Rover V8, and not a big, high-revving Italian-made V12. understands the government is now hastily preparing an envoy to soothe international relations.
'You cannot call it an 'Italian' supercar if it is made with a Rover V8,' a source close to the association said.
'It's terrible. Italian supercars should not be made with Rover V8s. Rover V8s are for boxy 4x4s and unreliable supercars made out of fibreglass.
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'Our entire automotive tradition is based on screaming, highly-strung V6s and V8s and V12s. We even have a nice line in punchy four-cylinder engines. Sometimes, all of them even work properly too.
'But a British engine from a defunct carmaker occasionally used for trucks, in a supercar 'inspired by Italy'? Mamma mia what kind of hell are you cooking up over there?
'We have sent letters to every high ranking official in the British government. We've even told the Pope. His Holiness will not stand for such sacrilege,' the source added.
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