This compact V10 supercar marked a major shift in the company’s modern lineup, created to sit below the larger flagship and give the brand a more accessible entry point without losing its dramatic character. The concept was previewed in the early 2000s and the production car debuted in 2003, with the first model year broadly recognized as 2004. It introduced a smaller, more usable interpretation of the traditional mid-engine formula, paired with all-wheel drive and a focus on real-world drivability as well as speed.
Over its life, the nameplate became one of the most important cars in the company’s history. The original coupe established the template, followed by a family of derivatives that broadened the range while keeping the same basic identity: an open-top version, lighter performance-focused editions, and later special models that pushed the concept further. The car also proved unusually successful in sales, helping transform the brand from a niche exotic maker into a much higher-volume supercar manufacturer.
Styling-wise, it carried the sharp, angular language expected of the marque, but in a shorter, more compact package than the V12 cars before and after it. It also represented an important transition era in Sant’Agata Bolognese, arriving after the company’s entry into the Audi Group and benefiting from greater engineering depth and production quality. Production ended in 2013, and the nameplate was succeeded the following year by a new generation with a different name.