2026 Itala 35
By Lorenzo Bianchi September 10, 2026
The Itala 35 is the first model in the revived Itala range under DR Group's Historic Italian Brands project.
Italdesign redesigned the exterior around an existing structure, concentrating on the bumpers, bonnet fascia, tailgate, spoiler and grille.
The underlying industrial platform comes from DR Group's Asian partners, specifically GAC Group.
The 2026 Itala 35 brings an old Italian name back to the road, but its return takes a distinctly modern industrial route. More than a century after Itala was founded, the compact SUV becomes the first vehicle in the marque's relaunch under the Historic Italian Brands project promoted by DR Group.
Italdesign was responsible for the exterior. This was not a clean sheet vehicle project, something the design house makes clear in its release. Instead, its designers worked around an established technical base and fixed components to give the SUV a separate visual identity.
Italdesign Reshapes an Existing Platform
The Itala 35 uses a shared industrial platform sourced from DR Group's Asian partners, specifically GAC Group of Guangzhou. Italian involvement extends beyond styling to expertise in electronics, suspension systems and overall system integration, although detailed specifications for those areas have not been released.
That constraint shaped the design process. Italdesign retained fixed elements including the lighting units, concentrating its work on replaceable components instead.
The front and rear received most of the attention. All non structural plastic components were redesigned, including the bumpers, upper bonnet fascia, tailgate and spoiler.
Grille Establishes the New Itala Identity
The grille carries much of the visual responsibility at the front. Italdesign describes it as the expressive core of the project, with a mesh pattern incorporating symbolic references to both the Itala brand and Turin.
Elsewhere, the designers used sharp lines, more dynamic surfaces and sculpted volumes while trying to keep the overall treatment visually clear.
Cabin and Powertrain Details Remain Unknown
The same applies to the mechanical package. Engine type, displacement, output, torque, transmission and drivetrain specifications are not stated in the supplied document. Applying specifications from an existing GAC product would be [Speculation], despite the confirmed platform relationship.
Itala 35 Starts a Larger Model Family
The 35 is not planned as a standalone revival. Italdesign says its new visual language will continue across further Itala models. The Itala 56 is identified as a compact to midsize five seat SUV, while the larger Itala 61 will accommodate seven passengers.
That makes the 2026 Itala 35 the starting point for a broader range rather than simply a heritage exercise. For now, its clearest story is the exterior: an existing industrial foundation extensively reworked by Italdesign to establish the identity of a returning Italian marque.