This morning in Rome, under the ornate ceilings of the General Command of the Carabinieri, a pair of unmistakably Italian machines took the stage—not for a concours d’elegance, but for duty. The national gendarmerie has officially added a Maserati MC20 (in special MCPURA configuration) and an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio to its fleet, each liveried in the force’s institutional blue and equipped for one of the most critical missions imaginable: the urgent transport of organs and blood.
The ceremony, held in the presence of General Commander Gen. C.A. Salvatore Luongo and top Stellantis executives, marked a rare moment when Italy’s storied automotive passion and public service ethos aligned perfectly. “This collaboration represents not only an alliance between Italian automotive excellence and institutional operational efficiency,” said Luongo, “but a true alignment of purpose in service of the community.”
A Maserati First
For Maserati, this delivery is historic—the first time one of its cars will wear the Carabinieri badge. The MC20 MCPURA packs the marque’s 630-horsepower Nettuno twin-turbo V6, a 3.0-liter masterpiece with pre-chamber combustion tech borrowed from Formula 1. Its carbon-fiber monocoque and mid-engine layout are designed for precision and stability at speed—qualities that take on new meaning when the mission is measured in seconds and lives. Special equipment for organ and blood transport has been seamlessly integrated into the supercar’s limited cabin space, transforming this track-bred thoroughbred into an instrument of life-saving urgency.
The Return of a Legend
If Maserati’s entry is groundbreaking, Alfa Romeo’s presence feels like coming home. The Giulia Quadrifoglio continues a lineage that stretches back to 1951, when the Carabinieri first adopted the rugged Alfa Romeo 1900 M “Matta.” One year later, the 1900 sedan became the original “Gazzella”—a term still synonymous with the Carabinieri’s rapid-response units. From the elegant 1960s Giulia to the sharp-edged Alfetta, 75, 155, and 159, Alfa’s four-leaf-clover-badged machines have long served Italy’s uniformed protectors.
Today’s Giulia Quadrifoglio channels that legacy with a 520-horsepower twin-turbo V6, rear-wheel drive, and a mechanical limited-slip differential—pure driver’s-car DNA, reimagined for emergency service. The sedan’s trunk now houses specialized systems for secure medical transport, but otherwise it remains a Giulia in full stride: aggressive, poised, and unmistakably Alfa.
A Modern Mission
For Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa, the delivery goes beyond brand symbolism. “The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and Maserati MCPURA are not only symbols of performance and style,” he said, “but concrete tools to ensure speed and safety in missions of vital importance.”
In a world where every second counts, these vehicles stand as proof that Italy’s passion for design and performance can serve something higher than spectacle. They are rolling testaments to how engineering excellence, when paired with institutional purpose, can save lives.
Performance with a Purpose
While the sight of a Maserati or Alfa Romeo in police livery might stir envy among enthusiasts, for the Carabinieri it’s all about function. The MC20’s carbon tub and active aerodynamics deliver precision at triple-digit speeds on open autostrade, while the Giulia’s balance and agility are perfect for navigating Italy’s narrow, twisting city streets. Both are equipped with advanced communication systems and refrigeration units designed to maintain vital medical payloads at stable temperatures—because in this mission, speed isn’t about a quarter-mile time. It’s about survival.
Italian Icons in Uniform
In an era when public institutions often settle for utilitarian efficiency, the Carabinieri’s latest additions remind the world that practicality and passion can coexist. The partnership between Stellantis and the Carabinieri continues a decades-long tradition of Italian automakers supporting law enforcement and public welfare with engineering artistry and national pride.
For Maserati and Alfa Romeo, the assignment couldn’t be more fitting: serving the nation not through horsepower alone, but through heart.
Source: Maserati