THE MAKING OF A DRIVING LEGEND
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THE MAKING OF A DRIVING LEGEND

Ever wondered what it takes to create a car like the Maserati? Meet the German designer taking on an Italian icon.

By Robyn Willis
Thu, Jan 16, 2025 12:06pmGrey Clock 3 min

Klaus Busse would like you to close your eyes and imagine yourself behind the wheel of a Maserati. Picture the GranTurismo, which launched in Australia in 2024. Where do you see yourself? Chances are, Busse suggests, it’s not during the school pick-up or commuting to the office.

“You’re probably on a wonderful road in Tuscany, or Highway 1, or you’re going to a red carpet event,” says Busse, who holds the enviable title of Head of Design at Maserati, the iconic Italian car manufacturer. “Basically, it’s about emotion.”

At the luxury end of the market, the GranTurismo Coupe—priced between $375,000 and $450,000—is designed to transform the driving experience into something extraordinary. For Busse and his team, these “sculptures on wheels” are not just status symbols or exhilarating machines but expressions of pure joy. Their mission is to encapsulate that feeling and translate it into their cars.

“I really feel the responsibility to create emotion,” he says. “We have a wonderful word in Italy: allegria, which is best translated as ‘joyful.’ Our job as a brand is to lift you into this area of joy, perfectly positioned just short of ecstasy. It’s that tingling sensation you feel in your body when you drive the car.”

Even as 60 percent of the world’s population now lives in urban areas, Maserati’s design ethos captures the essence of “everyday exceptional.” Whether navigating city streets or open roads, a Maserati turns heads without being ostentatious or aggressive. “I’ve driven these cars all over the world, and no matter where I go, people smile at me and give a thumbs-up,” says Busse.

Since joining Maserati in 2015, Busse has reimagined and redefined the brand, steering his team through the reinvention of classic models and the transition to electric vehicles. Iconic designs like the Fiat 500, which entered the EV market in 2020, serve as a testament to Maserati’s ability to blend tradition with innovation.

Unlike other luxury car brands, Maserati embraces radical change with new designs every 10 to 15 years. Busse loves connecting with fans who follow the brand closely. He explains that each Maserati model reflects a specific era, from the elegant 35GT of the 1950s to the wedge-shaped designs of the 1970s and the bold aesthetics of the 1980s.

 

“I often ask fans, ‘What is Maserati for you?’ because their responses tell me so much about how they connect with the brand,” he shares.

Inspired by legendary Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, Busse balances tradition with modernity in his designs. As Giugiaro once told him, “We always do the best in the moment.” This philosophy resonates deeply with Busse, who believes in honouring the past while embracing future possibilities.

Through advances in technology, techniques, and societal trends, Busse ensures Maserati remains at the forefront of automotive design. For him, the creative process is more than just a job—it’s a way to create joy, connection, and timeless elegance.



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A 30-metre masterpiece unveiled in Monaco brings Lamborghini’s supercar drama to the high seas, powered by 7,600 horsepower and unmistakable Italian design.

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Wed, Sep 24, 2025 2 min

When Lamborghini takes to the water, subtlety isn’t on the agenda. Unveiled at the Monaco Yacht Show, the Tecnomar for Lamborghini 101FT is a 30-metre superyacht that fuses Italian automotive theatre with cutting-edge naval engineering.

The model builds on the collaboration that began in 2020 with the Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63, a sell-out success that celebrated the marque’s founding year.

This new flagship pushes the partnership between Automobili Lamborghini and The Italian Sea Group to a grander scale, designed to deliver the same adrenaline rush at sea that drivers expect behind the wheel.

“The Tecnomar for Lamborghini 101FT redefines the concept of nautical luxury,” said Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.

“It is not only a yacht, but an affirmation of Italian excellence. The Italian Sea Group and Automobili Lamborghini share an exclusive clientele who are passionate about beauty, technology, and extreme performance.”

Design cues are unmistakably Lamborghini. The yacht’s sharp exterior lines echo the Fenomeno supercar revealed at Monterey Car Week, complete with Giallo Crius launch livery and signature Y-shaped lighting.

Inside, the cockpit and lounges mirror the DNA of Sant’Agata supercars through hexagonal motifs, sculptural seating and dramatic contrasts. With accommodation for up to nine guests and three crew cabins, indulgence meets practicality on every deck.

Performance is equally uncompromising. Three MTU 16V 2000 M96L engines and triple surface propellers generate a combined 7,600 horsepower, driving the yacht to 45 knots at full throttle, with a cruising speed of 35 knots. Two 35 kW generators provide additional efficiency and reliability, ensuring the yacht’s power matches its presence.

Mitja Borkert, Lamborghini’s Design Director, said: “With the Tecnomar for Lamborghini 101FT, we aimed to create a product that embodies the main design characteristics of our super sports cars. All the details, from the exterior to the colour, to the interior areas, recall and are inspired by Lamborghini’s DNA.”

Presented in scale at Monaco, the definitive Tecnomar for Lamborghini 101FT is scheduled to hit the water at the end of 2027. For those who demand their indulgence measured not only in metres but in knots, this is Lamborghini’s most extravagant expression yet.

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