by New name in the world of supercars
If you are looking for purity, an analog supercar without turbos and with a clutch pedal – the new Italian atelier Silvestri Automobili awaits your attention. Its first model — MN 40 Tributo, with a mid-mounted engine, naturally aspirated V12 and seven-speed manual transmission. The letters in the name are not just decoration: it is a tribute to Nicola Materazzi, the engineer who gave the world the Ferrari F40, Lancia Stratos, and Bugatti EB110. He passed away in 2024.
The startup is based in Sant’Agata Bolognese, where Lamborghini is also located. However, unlike the “raging bull,” Silvestri Automobili is a newcomer to the supercar game, and the MN 40 Tributo (short for Materazzi Nicola 40 Tribute) is their first model.
Design and chassis
The supercar’s body is made of carbon fiber based on sketches by artist and designer Francesco Rocco. References to the Ferrari F40 include a fixed rear wing, three exhaust pipes, and a black line running along the profile.
The front has its own style: a mouth-like grille reminiscent of the Venturi 400 GT, headlights vaguely similar to the Marussia B1, and lower air intakes akin to the W Motors Fenyr SuperSport. From the side, complex air intake lines and fins echo the classic Bertone BAT series.
Under the lightweight shell is a specially developed tubular aluminum space frame. According to Silvestri Automobili, the structure is designed based on the fundamental principles laid down by Materazzi himself, with a focus on optimal weight distribution without heavy electronics.
Suspension and brakes
The chassis is equipped with electronically adjustable suspension with lightweight Ergal aluminum alloy components. Carbon-ceramic brakes with ten-piston calipers at the front and six-piston at the rear handle deceleration. Wheels are 20 inches at the front and 21 inches at the rear.
Engine and transmission
The main highlight is the mid-mounted naturally aspirated 6.8-liter V12, made by an unnamed Italian supplier. The engine revs to 9500 rpm, producing 888 hp (662 kW / 900 PS) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed manual transaxle from CIMA in Bologna, with an open selector, a special clutch, and a torque-sensing differential. While the manual is one of the main advantages, the company also offers an optional sequential mechanism with paddle shifters.
Production plans and summary
Silvestri Automobili has unveiled a full-size static prototype of the MN 40 Tributo and plans to launch a series of 15 cars over three years. However, only 13 of them will be sold to customers. The other two the company keeps for itself. The price remains a mystery, but nobody builds 13 handmade V12 transaxle cars and sells them for the price of a Toyota Corolla.
Silvestri Automobili
This debut is not just another startup, but a conscious attempt to revive the spirit of classic supercars of the 80s and 90s. The rejection of turbocharging in favor of a naturally aspirated V12, the emphasis on a manual gearbox and light weight is a direct challenge to the modern trend of electrification, even for the most powerful models. Notably, the company is based in the very heart of the Italian automotive “golden triangle” (Modena, Bologna, Sant’Agata), where the spirit of Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati lingers. If Silvestri manages to realize even half of what it claims, the MN 40 Tributo has every chance of becoming a collector’s item even before production ends, because hand assembly, exclusivity of 13 units, and direct lineage from Materazzi’s engineering legacy is a formula that rarely goes unnoticed.
