At ItalPassion, we have a soft spot for Italtecnica. In recent years, this Italian artisanal company has established itself as one of the country’s most talented engine manufacturers. It is notably responsible for the 4-cylinder engines in the Kimera EVO37 and EVO38, the V6 engines in the Totem Automobili, as well as the impressive V12 in the Giamaro Katla which we talked about recently. In other words, whenever Italtecnica announces a new project, automotive enthusiasts immediately sit up and take notice. And this time, the company is unveiling an all-new V6 platform that already promises some exciting surprises.
An entirely new platform
Two weeks ago, Italtecnica released an initial teaser hinting at the arrival of a «lightweight, powerful, and compact» engine, intended to expand its lineup to meet the needs of new customers. A week later, the manufacturer officially confirmed the project: a 90° V6 engine, completely redesigned from scratch to improve lightness, performance, sound, and reliability, while remaining street-legal. This new architecture will give rise to two variants: a naturally aspirated version and a supercharged version. Today, Italtecnica is finally revealing the first specifications for the naturally aspirated version.
This new V6 has a displacement of 3.3 liters and produces 400 ch. But the figure that really stands out is its maximum rpm of 9,000, a figure that has become rare in an engine designed to be street-legal.
Another impressive statistic: its weight. Italtecnica reports a weight of less than 130 kg. This V6 features a sequential ignition system, meaning that the explosions in the six cylinders occur at perfectly regular intervals. The result: smoother operation, reduced vibrations, and a more harmonious sound—qualities that are particularly sought after in a naturally aspirated sports engine. On paper, this engine seems to have been designed first and foremost to deliver pure mechanical thrills, rather than to set power records.
A shift in philosophy compared to the previous V6
This new design marks a significant departure from the ITV6, the previous V6 engine developed by Italtecnica and used in particular by Totem Automobili. The previous engine, which also featured a 90° V-angle, weighed approximately 180 kg. Available in 2.8-, 3.0-, or 3.2-liter versions, it was offered exclusively with twin-turbocharging, delivering power ranging from 640 to 740 ch and a maximum rpm of 7,200.
The newcomer takes a completely different approach. It gains 100 cm³ of displacement, sheds nearly 50 kg, and (for now) does away with turbochargers in this first version to emphasize a naturally aspirated character capable of revving up to 9,000 rpm. With 400 ch, it doesn’t aim to outdo its predecessor in terms of raw power, but rather to offer a lighter, more responsive, and more exhilarating driving experience.
The Dawn of a New Generation
Italtecnica is presenting this V6 as the new starting point for its platform. The naturally aspirated version is therefore just the first step, as a turbocharged variant has already been announced for the coming weeks. Given the expertise the company has demonstrated with the Kimera, Totem, and Giamaro, it’s a safe bet that this new V6 will quickly find its way under the hood of several exceptional Italian sports cars. And while this first 400 ch version is already exciting, the future turbo variant could very well push the limits of this new platform even further.
To give you an idea, here's a video of the old Italtecnica V6 engine in the Totem GT Super Sport.
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